The Whitsundays is wonderfull! From beautiful beaches to island tours and even waterfalls this area is full of natural sights to see.
How to Get in
The centre for tourism in the Whitsundays is a small town called Airlie Beach located 30 mins away from the larger industrial town of Proserpine.
On season: Autumn, Winter
Off season: Spring, Summer
On season: Autumn, Winter
Off season: Spring, Summer
Getting In
There are a variety of ways to get to the Whitsundays
Reccommended: Fly to the Whitsundays and hire a car
Depending on your plans for accommodation you will either fly into Proserpine airport (mainland) or Hamilton island. Once arriving you will then need to make your way to your accommodation. I recommend either hiring a car and driving or making a reservation with the bus company "Whitsundays to anywhere". The reason for this is that Proserpine is about 30 mins drive from Airlie beach the heart of the Whitsundays.
Not reccommended
Car: This could be an affordable option allowing you to travel around the mainland freely. However the Airlie beach is 12 hours drive from Brisbane, 6 hours from Cairns, 3 hours from Townsville and 1.5 hours from Mackay. Basically, Airlie Beach isn't close to any major centres and driving could take up vast amounts of your precious time you could spend on holiday.
Bus: This would be my least reccommended mode of transports. Buses conveniently stop at the the Port of Airlie, a close walk to the Main Street of Airlie beach. However, for the reasons mentioned above Airlie Beach isn't located near any major cities, which means you will be on the bus a very long time. Busses are slower than cars, cramped and a similar price to flying which is clearly the best method.
Train: This mode of transport, is slightly better than the bus as you are able to walk around, eat and watch movies onboard. However the train stops in Proserpine, a town 30 mins drive away from Airlie Beach. At a similar price to flying, unless you just like catching the train, I wouldn't reccommended catching the train.
Ferry: It is possible to fly to Hamilton island and catch a ferry to the mainland, which might seem like a good idea at first seeing cheap flights to Hamilton Island. However, the cost of catching the ferry will more than make up for the discounted price of the ticket. Ferries are run by a company called "Cruise Whitsundays" who run a tourism business so pries are targeted at people taking "day trips" to Hamilton Island.
Reccommended: Fly to the Whitsundays and hire a car
Depending on your plans for accommodation you will either fly into Proserpine airport (mainland) or Hamilton island. Once arriving you will then need to make your way to your accommodation. I recommend either hiring a car and driving or making a reservation with the bus company "Whitsundays to anywhere". The reason for this is that Proserpine is about 30 mins drive from Airlie beach the heart of the Whitsundays.
Not reccommended
Car: This could be an affordable option allowing you to travel around the mainland freely. However the Airlie beach is 12 hours drive from Brisbane, 6 hours from Cairns, 3 hours from Townsville and 1.5 hours from Mackay. Basically, Airlie Beach isn't close to any major centres and driving could take up vast amounts of your precious time you could spend on holiday.
Bus: This would be my least reccommended mode of transports. Buses conveniently stop at the the Port of Airlie, a close walk to the Main Street of Airlie beach. However, for the reasons mentioned above Airlie Beach isn't located near any major cities, which means you will be on the bus a very long time. Busses are slower than cars, cramped and a similar price to flying which is clearly the best method.
Train: This mode of transport, is slightly better than the bus as you are able to walk around, eat and watch movies onboard. However the train stops in Proserpine, a town 30 mins drive away from Airlie Beach. At a similar price to flying, unless you just like catching the train, I wouldn't reccommended catching the train.
Ferry: It is possible to fly to Hamilton island and catch a ferry to the mainland, which might seem like a good idea at first seeing cheap flights to Hamilton Island. However, the cost of catching the ferry will more than make up for the discounted price of the ticket. Ferries are run by a company called "Cruise Whitsundays" who run a tourism business so pries are targeted at people taking "day trips" to Hamilton Island.
Accomodation
Day dream island
"The budget island"
Hamilton Island
"The mid priced island"
Hayman Island
"The ridiculously priced island"
There is plenty of great accommodation on the mainland near Airlie Beach
The Coral sea resort
The rainforest retreat
If you don't mid share accommodation and you are renting a car, I can highly recommend this accommodation. Each room has its own ensuit bathroom, the views are amazing and it is very reasonably priced
"The budget island"
Hamilton Island
"The mid priced island"
Hayman Island
"The ridiculously priced island"
There is plenty of great accommodation on the mainland near Airlie Beach
The Coral sea resort
The rainforest retreat
If you don't mid share accommodation and you are renting a car, I can highly recommend this accommodation. Each room has its own ensuit bathroom, the views are amazing and it is very reasonably priced
Free attractions
The Lagoon
The Lagoon is a man made swimming pool located next to the beach. Why would you need a pool next to the beach you may be wondering? This is to keep you safe and away the "stingers" or Jelly fish which float around in the ocean all summer long. The Lagoon is conveniently located right next to the town centre in Airlie Beach and is the best place to go swimming in the summer.
The Lagoon is a man made swimming pool located next to the beach. Why would you need a pool next to the beach you may be wondering? This is to keep you safe and away the "stingers" or Jelly fish which float around in the ocean all summer long. The Lagoon is conveniently located right next to the town centre in Airlie Beach and is the best place to go swimming in the summer.
Ceadar creek falls
30 mins drive from Airlie Beach this is a great place to visit for a swim after there is rainfall.
If you cross the stream and go over to the far side there is a steep bush track that will lead you up to the top of the waterfalls for a great view. Not reccomended for elderly people or people without enclosed shoes.
30 mins drive from Airlie Beach this is a great place to visit for a swim after there is rainfall.
If you cross the stream and go over to the far side there is a steep bush track that will lead you up to the top of the waterfalls for a great view. Not reccomended for elderly people or people without enclosed shoes.
Lake Proserpine picnic area
This is a great place to go for a pick nick
This is a great place to go for a pick nick
Proserpine Coffee plantation
This is a great little cafe that grows and roasts their own coffee beans. Lots of places to sit and relax in the shade.
This is a great little cafe that grows and roasts their own coffee beans. Lots of places to sit and relax in the shade.
Shute harbour
Although this is an areas name, I can only reccommend two attractions here. Lions lookout, overlooks the bay and is best on a sunny day or at dusk. The second place I would reccomend is a bush walk
Although this is an areas name, I can only reccommend two attractions here. Lions lookout, overlooks the bay and is best on a sunny day or at dusk. The second place I would reccomend is a bush walk
Montes Reef Resort
Although this is a resort, it is a good place to go for a day trip and their lunches (although pricy) are fabulous.
Although this is a resort, it is a good place to go for a day trip and their lunches (although pricy) are fabulous.
The Big Mango
A little less impressive than I first expected, also the store was a little small and unoriginal. However If you are visiting in summer you can get lots of cheap mangos ($1 each) in Bowen at the fruit shop.
A little less impressive than I first expected, also the store was a little small and unoriginal. However If you are visiting in summer you can get lots of cheap mangos ($1 each) in Bowen at the fruit shop.
Paid attractions
Ocean rafting
Ocean rafting offers two deals
I personally believe the northern lights tour is the better value tour as you get to spend more time at "Hill inlet" the most famous and photographed place in the Whitsundays. The southern tour gives you lots of time at Whitehaven beach, however the activities here are very limited.
Heart reef
Outer reef snorkelling
Ocean rafting offers two deals
I personally believe the northern lights tour is the better value tour as you get to spend more time at "Hill inlet" the most famous and photographed place in the Whitsundays. The southern tour gives you lots of time at Whitehaven beach, however the activities here are very limited.
Heart reef
Outer reef snorkelling