About the Whitsundays

Located on the tropical coast of Queensland, Australia, and alongside The Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands were formed by significant volcanic activity over 100 million years ago. Over the years, changes in ocean temperatures and sea levels began to separate the mainland mountain ranges, creating the string of 74 islands we know today as the Whitsundays.

The Traditional Custodians of the Whitsundays are the Ngaro Aboriginal people. Recorded as one of the earliest indigenous groups in Australia, the Ngaro people lived throughout the Whitsunday Islands and on the nearby mainland for around 9000 years.

On the 3rd of June 1770, Captain James Cook sailed the Endeavour through what is now known as the Whitsunday Passage. They sailed through on 'Whit Sunday,' marking the Sunday of the feast for the Christian festival Pentecost. Captain Cook was inspired enough to name the passage Whitsunday Passage and the location as Whitsunday Group of Islands.

The Whitsundays is an experience like no other. Beautiful all year round, with an average temperature of 27.4 degrees Celcius and 10 hours of sunlight every day, making it the perfect destination for swimming, exploring or simply relaxing.

September and October are the best time to visit the Whitsundays. Being the start of Spring, sunny days hit a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius, and there is usually little rainfall. Humidity is also typically low in September and October, being more pleasant when travelling around the Whitsundays.

The average winter temperatures (June, July and August) reach 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, making Whitsunday Islands the perfect winter escape for travellers located in colder climates.

The Whitsundays comprises many popular holiday destinations.

Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, and Cannonvale are thriving coastal towns and gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Whether you attend the weekly markets, restaurants or festivals, you will be consumed in the community spirit. Luxury holiday homes and apartments in the Whitsundays also provide privacy and room for the whole family.

Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and Hayman Island are a few of the islands renowned for their private resorts & beaches. Tours, ferries and other activities also provide direct access from the coastal towns to several islands, crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches & fringing reefs.

The famous Whitehaven Beach is located on Whitsunday Island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The popularity of crystal-clear turquoise waters and white silica sand that feels amazing led Whitehaven Beach to be voted the world's #1 best beach in 2021!

Protected by Whitsunday Islands National Park, the eco-friendly beach is frequented in all seasons by tourists and locals via boat, seaplane or helicopter. Surrounding bushwalks, including Hill inlet Lookout, also provide the most incredible views of the blue-green shades of water and ever-shifting sand.

Formed over time in clear waters around the Whitsunday Islands and occasionally along the mainland, these reefs were built by polyps, tiny animals resembling small sea anemones. They have a sac-like body and mouth opening surrounded by tentacles.

A single polyp establishes itself by attaching to a submerged rock around the edges of the islands. Then new polyps build from it, forming a coral colony that makes up a fringing reef.

We have put together an information sheet of various travel options to assist your travels around the various Whitsunday destinations. Our team is happy to provide you with further options and recommendations.