Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE WHITSUNDAYS
The Whitsunday group of islands off the northeast Queensland coast is, as the cliché goes,
a tropical paradise. The 74 islands that make up this arresting archipelago are really the tips
of mountain tops jutting out from the Coral Sea, and from their sandy fringes the ocean
spreads towards the horizon in beautiful shades of crystal, aqua, blue and indigo. Sheltered
by the Great Barrier Reef, there are no crashing waves or deadly undertows, and the waters
are perfect for sailing.
Of the numerous stunning beaches and secluded bays, Whitehaven Beach stands out for
its pure white silica sand. It is undoubtedly the finest beach in the Whitsundays, and pos-
sibly one of the finest in the world.
Airlie Beach, on the mainland, is the coastal hub and major gateway to the islands. Only
seven of the islands have tourist resorts, catering to every budget and whim: choose from
the basic accommodation at Hook Island to the exclusive luxury of Hayman Island. Most
of the Whitsunday Islands are uninhabited, and several offer back-to-nature beach camping
and bushwalking.
