For a little bit of paradise on earth, discover the Whitsunday Islands, a collection of 74 stunning tropical islands. In an idyllic setting off the coast of Queensland in north eastern Australia, the Whitsundays are the ideal place to explore the marvels of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Whitsundays are blessed with pristine white beaches fringed with swaying palm trees, clear turquoise waters, wonderful sunny climate and world-class diving and snorkelling on your doorstep. Pure heaven for all beach, water and nature lovers.

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Whitsunday Islands

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Description

Airlie beach on the mainland is the major gateway to the islands, of which only eight offer accommodation – the rest are uninhabited and only accessible for day-trips by boat or ferry. This means they are totally unspoilt and stunningly beautiful. One of these islands, Whitsunday Island is home to the famous Whitehaven beach whose pure silica sand is as fine as powder and whose turquoise waters are crystal clear.

Hamilton Island is the biggest resort on the Whitsundays and offers the largest choice of accommodation. It is also home to a golf club and yacht club and has its own airport. Hayman Island is situated in the north of the archipelago and is considered the most exclusive of all the islands, having earned the accolade of being Australia’s most awarded private island destination. Long Island, the closest island to the mainland, is 9km long and only 400 metres wide and has 13k of walking tracks within its National Park to explore.

If you visit the Whitsundays between June and September, you may be lucky enough to spot a whale on their annual winter migration north from the Antarctic, so make sure you pack some binoculars!