Most Asked Questions By Whitsunday Travellers
WHITSUNDAY VACATIONS

Most Asked Questions By Whitsunday Travellers

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Can you stay on the Whitsunday Islands?

Yes! You can stay on the Whitsunday Islands. Out of our 74 Whitsunday Islands, only four of them have operational island resorts located on them. These include Daydream Island, Hayman Island, Long Island and Hamilton Island. Lindeman Island currently has a resort under construction which should be completed by 2021.

In the 1930’s, the Whitsundays slowly changed from a pastoral lifestyle to a recreational lifestyle, when farmers started to build galvanised huts with palm thatched roofs and wash basins throughout the islands. They would then charge customers one pound per day, which included scones and fresh tropical fruit from South Molle Island. These customers soon became the very first day trippers from the mainland to the Whitsunday Islands. Click here to read further into the history of the Whitsundays.

Did you know you can also camp on the Whitsunday Islands? Scamper is a locally owned and operated boat, which can pick you up with your hiking or camping gear and drop you to one of our local islands for you to explore. There are more than ten camping spots spread throughout South Molle Island, Whitsunday Island and Hook Island that you can go to. You have the option of visiting the island for the day, or you can stay the night. You can even get Scamper to drop you to the silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, where you can camp as long as you like! Click here for more information on camping on the Whitsunday Islands.

Whitsunday Holiday Home
Photo: Shutehaven Villa, Shute Harbour, Whitsundays.

How many days do you need in the Whitsundays?

It is always hard to decide how long you and your family should stay at a holiday destination. When you get to the Whitsundays, you will never want to leave. The Whitsundays is a place where travellers will never get bored and will never run out of things to do. We recommend staying in the Whitsundays for at least 7 days, so that you and your family have enough time to explore the region. You will need a full day to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can go snorkelling to see the rainbow colours of the coral under the water, while swimming with the friendly local fish.

While you are in town, you will also need a full day to have lunch on the white silica sand at Whitehaven Beach. There is no other place quite like this on earth and people travel from all over the world to see it. So you will soon find that your holiday schedule will fill up very quickly, as there is much to see and do in the Whitsundays.

We also recommend staying in the Whitsundays over a weekend, so that you get to experience the Airlie Beach night life or the Saturday morning markets along the foreshore. Click here for a list of activities you can book when in the Whitsundays.

What is the best time of year to visit the Whitsundays?

The warm tropical climate in the Whitsundays makes it the perfect holiday destination, with an average temperature of 27.4 degrees Celsius. Many southerners travel to the Whitsundays during Winter, to escape the cold. Winter temperatures in the Whitsundays range between 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, which is a refreshing change from the 8 degree Winters in Southern Australia.

Holiday homes in the Whitsundays have been designed well to suit the Summer time, with air-conditioning throughout and in-ground pools. So even during the hotter months, you can sit back and watch the kids play in the pool, while you sip on a glass of wine and relax.

September and October is the best time of year to visit the Whitsundays, click here to find out why.

Whitsunday Holiday Home
Photo: Boathouse Apartment, Airlie Beach.

Where is the Whitsundays located?

The Whitsunday Islands are situated on the North Eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. They are located approx 1,000km North of Brisbane and approx 250km South of Townsville. Airlie Beach is found on the coast of the Whitsundays and is just one of the towns located in this popular tourist destination.

Click here for more information on where the Whitsundays is located and how to get here.

What airport do you fly into for Whitsundays?

The main airport in the Whitsundays is the Whitsunday Coast Airport, which is located on the mainland near Proserpine, approx 35km inland from Airlie Beach. Travellers flying into this airport can catch a taxi or bus, or hire a car to get to Airlie Beach. If you book your holiday through whitsundayvacations.com.au we can arrange transport for you from the airport to your accommodation (fees apply).

The second airport in the Whitsundays is on Hamilton Island. If you are flying into Hamilton Island but your accommodation is on the mainland, you will need to book a ferry ride with Cruise Whitsundays from the island to Airlie Beach, which will take around an hour to get to mainland.

Some of our executive holiday homes even have their own private helicopter pads, to provide the ultimate luxurious experience for our guests.

Click here for more information on how to get to the Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Holiday Home
Photo: Mandalay Aqua, Whitsundays.

Is it safe to swim in the Whitsundays?

North Queensland has a jellyfish season that runs roughly from November to April. However, there are many swimming enclosures throughout the Whitsundays to provide safe swimming spots for you and your family. You can also wear a stinger suit when you swim in the ocean, which will prevent a jellyfish from touching your skin. All Whitsunday day trips and tours that offer swimming in the ocean will provide their guests with a swimming suit for the day. Click here for more information on the jellyfish season, including locations of swimming enclosures in the Whitsundays.

Are there crocodiles in the Whitsundays?

Like most of northern Australia, the Whitsundays is home to the saltwater crocodile and they are found in salt water river systems throughout the coastline. They are hardly ever spotted around the Whitsunday Islands, because they usually don’t like travelling that far away from the mainland. They prefer to live in muddy river systems with banks that receive the midday sun. This prehistoric animal mainly feeds on fish, birds and turtles.

It is extremely rare for a crocodile to attack a human. The last crocodile ‘attack’ in the Whitsundays was when a local tour guide at a Crocodile Farm lost his hand to a 4.5m crocodile, while trying to feed him. So as long as you aren’t trying to feed a crocodile, you are pretty safe in the Whitsundays. The majority of crocodile attacks in the wild throughout the world occur when people swim at night, in rivers that are known to have crocodiles.

Proserpine River is located south of Airlie Beach and is a great fishing destination. This river has the largest population of crocodiles in the Whitsundays. If you would like to get up close and personal with a crocodile, Whitsunday Crocodile Safari offer day tours up the Proserpine River. Click here for more information.

If you have any other questions about booking a holiday in the Whitsundays, we would be happy to hear from you at holiday@whitsundayvacations.com.au

Go to whitsundayvacations.com.au to book your next Whitsunday holiday.

The Great Barrie Reef located in the Whitsunday, Queensland, Australia
REVIEWS

Why Our Guests Keep Coming Back

Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
'Vue de Bleu' Luxury Whitsunday Retreat
Great house and great location. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
May 30, 2025
Nick
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Airlie Beach Marina-Front Luxury at 10 The Cove
I stayed here with my family having travelled from the UK. 10 The Cove was an absolutely beautiful house, with fantastic views and in a great location with all amenities considered and provided. We couldn’t have wanted for more and made some wonderful family memories in a beautiful home. The team at whitsunday vacations were very responsive and very helpful before and through our stay. Thank you all!
May 27, 2025
Hayley
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23 The Cove - 5 Bedroom, Whitsunday Waters Edge Luxury Holiday Home.
One of the best places we've ever been, the house is beautiful and the surroundings are dreamy.
May 26, 2025
Maruja
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Marina living with Whitsundays lifestyle
Luxury Marina living !Clean modern apartment Wonderful viewsGreat facilities
May 25, 2025
jane
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Spacious 2 bedroom Whitsunday Waterfront Penthouse
Fantastic views, beautiful Appartment
May 18, 2025
Andy
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15 Kara - Stunning 5 Bedroom Home With Million Dollar Views, walk to Airlie Beach main street.
Beautiful spot close to town (2mins walk)with amazing views over the ocean highly recommend spot.
May 8, 2025
Thomas
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'Nine Islands' Airlie Beach Luxury Holiday Home with ocean views
Absolutely loved our stay! The views over Airlie Beach were breathtaking—sunrise and sunset were magical. The place was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located. Highly recommend!
May 6, 2025
Karla
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Whitsunday living on Hillcrest by the Beach
I stayed at a Whitsundays Vacation property on Hill Crest Avenue at the start of the year with some friends for a birthday weekend. The property was amazing, location amazing and the staff handling prior and during our stay was amazing!! Thank you so so much to Ali and her team for making this such a memorable experience and stay in the beautiful Whitsundays! We will be sure to use Whitsunday Vacations again for our future stays!!
May 4, 2025
Charlotte
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'Sail Away' Airlie Beach house with Marina Views (Pet Friendly on application)
beautiful views walkable to shops and marina comfortable beds and the private pool with the bbq are a great bonus highly recommend lots of entertainment areas for a family to enjoy
April 30, 2025
Ayche
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Whitsunday living on Hillcrest by the Beach
We loved the pool and the access to local attractions The kitchen was well equipped. We really enjoyed our stay.
April 27, 2025
Jennifer
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'Nine Islands' Airlie Beach Luxury Holiday Home with ocean views
Stunning views, even from the pool.There’s even table tennis downstairs.Nice big kitchen.Would recommend.
April 26, 2025
Simon
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Whitsunday Escape - Beachfront with Swimming Pool
Wow, what a fabulous home to stay in. The location was great, with the ocean and beach so close. Our whole family of all age groups loved the spacious home and spectacular views from many areas of the house. Having a pool and games room definitely was an added bonus.
April 25, 2025
Bronwyn
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Spacious 2 bedroom Whitsunday Waterfront Penthouse
Excellent location, nice little shops and bars, restaurants , within the complex. 5 minutes walk to the centre of Airlie Beach with lots of nice places. The Appartment its self is stunning, with excellent views of the marina all around. Facilities were great, everything thought of, lovely linens, toiletries and very comfortable. Kitchen was well stocked with everything you need to cook, plenty of plates and glasses. This was an excellent stay, I would highly recommend, and will certainly plan a return visit.
April 21, 2025
Sophy
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3 Bedroom Holiday Home, Valley Views in the heart of Airlie Beach
great house great location , very happy holiday here with my boys. Definitely will introduce to friends whom want to enjoy a wonderful holiday in Airlie Beach.
April 20, 2025
Hui
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Amazing Penthouse with Whitsundays lifestyle
Had a lovely relaxing stay. Views are amazing and kitchen has everything you need. Pool upstairs is a little tricky with the door and slippery floor but we put some towels down and sorted it. Pool was perfect for our five year old!Great that due to rain they organised for pool cleaner to come check chemical levels half way through the stay too.
April 17, 2025
Sara
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Airlie Beach Marina-Front Luxury at 10 The Cove
是很不错的房源 我们度过了很美好的假期 回应及时 尤其是寄存行李
April 16, 2025
Xinhang
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23 The Cove - 5 Bedroom, Whitsunday Waters Edge Luxury Holiday Home.
We had a wonderful experience. The hosts were super helpful and responsive. The house exactly as described
April 15, 2025
Toni
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Executive Whitsunday Penthouse at 40 Reflections
Great place, Close to ammenities, easy to find, clean and tidy. Beautiful place indeed
April 15, 2025
Tas
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3 Bedroom Holiday Home, Valley Views in the heart of Airlie Beach
We had an amazing stay! We didn’t have a car, but the town centre was walking distance so didn’t bother us at all. Bit of a hill to climb on the way up, good for some exercise! The house was so beautiful, just like the photos. We felt so at home and didn’t want to leave. If we ever come back to Airlie, this is where we’d choose to stay.
April 5, 2025
Sande
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