Whitsunday Islands - Gems floating in the Coral Sea

Whitsunday Islands - Gems floating in the Coral Sea

There’s a tropical island escape especially for you, whatever your taste or budget, lying clustered around the Whitsunday Passage in North Queensland. Eight islands have resorts on them and another 66 are uninhabited.

Whitsunday Island resorts range from the five star Hayman Resort to the family-geared and romantic getaways of Hamilton, Daydream, South Molle, Brampton and Long Islands. Lindeman Island is the place for fun while Hook caters to the budget traveller.

Whitsunday Sunrise, Queensland

View of Whitsundays From the Air

Some islands boast their own golf courses while others offer a plethora of watersports, including kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. Most islands offer free use of non-motorised watersports equipment and other sporting facilities.

Take a bush walk to spectacular lookouts, go on a helicopter joyflight, have a lively game of tennis, hire a dinghy and go fishing or, if this is all too much, simply lie on the beach with a good book.

During your holiday to the Whitsundays, there’s plenty of wine and dine experiences to be had, theme nights to take part in, night life to explore and champagne sunset cruises to take part in.

Families are particularly well catered for on many of the islands. Kids’ Clubs are located on Daydream, Hamilton, Brampton, South Molle, Club Crocodile Long Island and Hayman Islands.

There are also day trips available to other islands and the Great Barrier Reef. FantaSea Cruises provides a fast-cat service to its famous ReefWorld floating structure on the Reef. Here, a recent addition is overnight accommodation, where fine cuisine and 360 degree water views make for a night to remember.

If you want to go back to nature, have a chat to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and you could find yourself camping on an deserted island overlooking a sandy cove and a stunning sunset.

It’s easy to get to the Whitsundays. There are two major airports at Proserpine and Hamilton Island. All major coach companies stop in at Airlie Beach while Queensland Rail operates regular services to Proserpine. There are regular ferry services with Whitsunday All Over from the mainland and between the islands.

For a holiday of choice, the Whitsunday Islands are hard to beat.