Whitsunday Islands

20.2567° S

148.9780° E

An archipelago of islands in Northern Queensland with an abundance of natural attractions, the Whitsundays are one of Australia's top coastal holiday destinations. There are 74 unique islands in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, leaving visitors spoilt for choice. From the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach to the world's only heart-shaped reef, the sights of the region are some of Australia's most iconic attractions.

It is one of the best places in Australia to access the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, with plenty of sailing and diving opportunities to experience the natural wonder first-hand. For an idyllic island escape, travellers can even stay at a number of resorts scattered amongst the islands, for a blissful escape from reality and a sweet taste of island life.

About the rambler co

From the golden sands of the tropics, to the rugged ranges of the south, we pride ourselves on showcasing the far reaches of the Australian continent. This is a place to explore, to discover and to dream, for travel inspiration without the boring bits. This is The Rambler Co.

The easiest way to reach the Whitsundays is by plane. Proserpine Airport on the mainland and Hamilton Island Airport have daily flights from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne. Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays' main coastal town, can also be reached via the Bruce Highway 150km North of Mackay.

The best time to visit the Whitsunday Islands is during the dry season of April to December, when daytime temperatures are pleasant, tropical storms are very rare and ocean temperatures are still warm. It is also outside of stinger season, so swimmers do not have to worry about wearing stinger suits in the ocean.

Airlie Beach is the main tourist town in the Whitsunday Islands and the gateway for many of the tours and activities available. There are also a number of islands with various accommodation options, including Daydream Island, Long Island, Hayman Island and the largest resort island in the region, Hamilton Island.

The Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach are the two major icons of the region, although there are a myriad of other attractions to visit on the 74 islands in the Whitsunday Islands National Park such as rock art at Nara Inlet, pristine coral sites around Hook Island and the silica sands of Chalkies Beach.

At least 5 days are needed to make the most of a first-time visit to the Whitsunday Islands. This will leave enough time to explore the Great Barrier Reef and spectacular Whitehaven Beach, as well as a few days to hop around the 74 islands in the Whitsundays archipelago. That's all before even settling down for a sunset cocktail by the pool.