Discover tropical islands surrounded by crystal clear waters, or coastal towns offering the perfect beach gateway. Snorkel with colourful reef fish, cruise to stunning Whitehaven Beach or discover the hidden gems on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
If stopping on a deserted beach to see an amazing sunset or dropping anchor to snorkel away from the crowds appeal, consider a cruise or hire a yacht and discover the Whitsunday Islands. Choose a skippered boat, sit back and let your skipper show you the best of the Whitsundays. Or be your own captain and embark on a bare boating adventure. Cruise through the calm waters of Nara Inlet, stop off and relax on the white sands of Chalkies Beach, and snorkel coral reefs at Cateran Bay. With 74 Whitsunday Islands to choose from, your options are endless.
Stretching along the southern side of Whitsunday Island. Whitehaven Beach is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the world. With crystal clear water and pristine white sand. It’s no wonder this is one of the most photographed beaches. Take a day cruise or skipper yourself and experience the beach in total seclusion. Stroll along the seven kilometre stretch of white silica sands, swim in the warm water and walk to Hill Inlet Lookout to see the contrast of colours. For unforgettable views, take to the skies for a scenic flight over this stunning beach.
Tick the Great Barrier Reef off your bucket list. Snorkel or dive to discover coral reefs, colourful fish and shipwrecks that are now home to a variety of undersea life. Stay on one of the islands right on the reef and snorkel straight from the beach. They offer an abundance of coral gardens to explore and marine life to see including fish, turtles, rays and reef shark. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, why not spend a night on the reef under a blanket of stars or take to the air on a scenic flight to see iconic Heart Reef.
Nature lovers will enjoy Queensland’s islands. Both Heron and Lady Elliot islands have an abundance of bird and turtle spotting opportunities. See the turtles lay their eggs in the sand between November and February and watch the hatchings scurry towards the ocean in February and March. See the wild dolphins year round at Tangalooma Island Resort, have breakfast with the koalas at Hamilton Island Wildlife and get up close to the gentle giants of the sea on a whale watching cruise from Fraser Island between August and October.
Discover World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Walk among towering ancient trees in rainforests growing out of sand and swim in the sapphire blue and emerald green freshwater lakes of McKenzie and Wabby. Follow Wanggoolba Creek as you stroll along the boardwalk at Central Station and float down Eli Creek. Travel by 4WD along the beach highway of 75 Mile Beach to see the Maheno shipwreck and the magnificent coloured sand cliffs, or just simply cast a line straight from the shore and wait for the fish to bite.
