The Whitsundays

The weather’s great and you’re surrounded by natural wonders so, as you might expect, a lot of the top things to do in The Whitsundays are outdoors. Snorkelling and diving are, naturally, popular activities. You can book a snorkelling trip around Hook Island on the Great Barrier Reef, sail to Daydream Island and meet marine biologists at the Living Reef, or catch a seaplane and fly over Heart Reef, then on to Whitehaven Beach. Dive sites like Hardy Reef are very doable from Hamilton Island, too. If you want to sit back, relax and still see spectacular coral and dazzling fish, why not take a catamaran cruise?

If you’re on Hamilton Island, don’t miss a swim in the tropical Bougainvillea Pool behind Catseye Beach, or stay on the beach itself and try watersports like jet-skiing and parasailing, or go swimming with turtles. Meanwhile, just five minutes by ferry from Hamilton Island, Dent Island’s a go-to for golf. Not a keen golfer? No worries! Non-golfers can try morning yoga, kayaking or hiking the hills.

Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the archipelago. This national park is uninhabited, gorgeously green and surrounded by sensational beaches. Sail from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach and make straight for Whitehaven Beach where the dazzling sand is 98 per cent silica. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and almost as much of a Whitsundays holiday must-do as the Great Barrier Reef itself. Should you want nothing but perfect peace, follow the walking trail from Whitehaven to pretty Chance Bay or go west to spot dugongs and turtles on the aptly named Dugong Beach. 

On Hamilton Island, the beach everyone wants to be on is long and sandy Catseye Beach, curving round the bay in the heart of the island. And Escape Beach to the south might demand you walk a little, but it’s worth the effort for panoramic views of the reef and brilliant sunsets – best seen from nearby South East Head. If you’re in Airlie Beach – the mainland hub of The Whitsundays – your best beach to absorb that tropical sun is Boathaven Beach. Tucked away on the eastern side of the Airlie Beach headland, this beach is the perfect spot to watch the boats come and go, roll out a picnic rug and enjoy some of the delicious food you will find along the main street of Airlie Beach.

Stay at Whitsunday Apartments and stroll to Hamilton Island Wildlife to have breakfast with koalas. Go bushwalking on the eastern of the island on well-marked trails, the views are stunning. Or hire a golf buggy, pack a picnic and go island exploring. Then take it up a notch and book an all-day ATV guided tour. 

The Whitsundays archipelago has 74 islands and you’ll see quite a few on a full-day catamaran cruise. If you want to stay overnight on the reef and watch the water come to life after dark, try the Reefsleep experience. Swimming with turtles on the Turtle Discovery tour from Catseye Beach is another unforgettable experience. Or consider a seaplane flight over the reef – you’ll land on water and then cruise along in a glass-bottomed boat to see coral and marine life close-up. Or book a flight which drops you gently onto the reef in full snorkel gear, if you dare.

The Whitsundays is a tropical destination, so you can pick any season and expect good holiday weather. Summer is the hottest season; from December to February, the average temperature is 29°C. Humidity is high and the rain can be heavy, but it’s the most popular time of year for family holidays as it coincides with Christmas, so the islands tend to be busy. 

Spring is another popular time, as the weather is warm, the skies are clear and the waters are in perfect swimming conditions, with an average daily temperature of 28°C. The Whitsundays region also comes alive with events celebrating sports, arts, music and food.    

Alternatively, autumn is a great time to explore the reef and go island-hopping, most days average 26°C and you can look forward to sun, clear skies, minimal rain and low humidity.

Winter is also an excellent time to go on holiday to The Whitsundays. It’s dry and sunny from June to August, with highs of 23°C and trade winds. This is the best time of year for whale watching, and it’s warm enough for swimming and snorkelling.