The Whitsunday Islands are the most well known and well visited island group in Australia. They have become the epitome of the perfect tropical island holiday destination and are synonymous with the image of paradise. As one of the country's major tourist attractions and holiday destinations, these islands and the neighbouring coast are considered a very special part of Australia. Located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the Whitsundays are right in the heart of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. The main islands lay directly between the Queensland Coast and The Great Barrier Reef to the east.
The Whitsundays are well developed as a tourist destination and boast a diverse range of tropical island resorts and hotels as well as the coastal resort village of Airlie Beach, catering fully for all tastes and budgets from 'el-cheapo' backpacker style accommodation to the up-market five-star resorts. Over the years, these resorts have gone through a succession of owners and numerous upgrades in their struggle to attain and maintain financial profitability. As the nightlife of the Whitsundays is centred around the downtown area of Airlie Beach, it can get a bit noisy at night, so keep this in mind when selecting accommodation.
Climate: Airlie Beach, the area's mainland service town, and the Whitsunday Islands themselves lie on the same tropical latitude as Honolulu in the northern hemisphere and Mauritius in the south. A year round warm tropical climate with an average temperature of 27.4 degrees Celsius is enjoyed by the region, making it ideal for holidays all year round. Its maximum summer temperatures (December to February) are around 30 degrees Celsius, with maximum winter temperatures (June, July and August) around 23 degrees.
How to Get There: The Whitsundays are located 150km north of Mackay and 300km south of Townsville on the central Queensland coast. The region is approached by road from Bowen to the north or from Mackay to the south via Bruce Highway. The turn-off to the Whitsundays is at the town of Proserpine. Access to the islands is by air (Hamilton Island is the only island to have its own airstrip) or by sea from Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach.
Airlie Beach
Scawfel Island
Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach
A seaplane passes over Heart Reef
Pentecost Island and Whitehaven Beach (foreground)
Great Barrier Reef
Diving lessons
Reef Odyssey cruiser
Cruise ship “Rhapsody of Sea” anchored in the waters off Airlie Beach
History of the Whitsunday Group
The Aborigines of the Whitsunday Islands were called the Ngaro and are among the earliest recorded groups in Australia. Often called the 'Island People' their territory expanded north - south along the island chain. They also inhabited the coast of the adjacent mainland. In their occupation as maritime hunters and gatherers, the Ngaro became well known as skilled navigators.
British navigator Lieut. James Cook literally put the Whitsundays on the map when he visited the islands during his voyage of discovery along the east coast of Australia in 1770. He passed through Whitsunday Passage, between the mainland coast, South Molle and Daydream Islands to the west and Dent, Whitsunday, Hook and Hayman Islands to the east, on what he believed was Sunday 4th June 1770. That day is Whit Sunday (the seventh Sunday after Easter), the Day of Pentecost on the Christian calendar - hence the names 'Pentecost' and 'Whitsunday' which he bestowed on the island from which he took his bearings and the passage of water between the islands and the mainland. It is now widely accepted that he didn't actually pass through on this date, as he had failed to take into account the yet to be brought into existence International Date Line. Cook gave the 160-plus islands in the area the collective name of Cumberland Isles, after the Duke of Cumberland, Henry Frederick, younger brother of King George III of England. The county of Cumberland lay in the north-west of England, its northern border being also part of the southern border of Scotland. However the county of Cumberland as Cook knew it does not exist today. In 1974 it was merged with Westmoreland, part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and the Furness area of Lancashire to become the new county of Cumbria. Cook named only one individual island - the craggy, rocky Pentecost Island.
Later, once surveyed, the Cumberland Islands were divided into smaller groups - the Molle Islands, Whitsunday Group, the Lindeman Group, the Anchor Islands and the Sir James Smith Group. The Whitsunday group was defined as 'The islands between Young Island, Long Island, North Molle Island, Hayman Island and Edward Island'. The Lindeman group was defined as 'The islands between Thomas Island and Pentecost Island' (Notice to Mariners No. 316 of 15 July 1960). Though their group names have not been changed, the 74 islands which surround Whitsunday Passage have become known collectively as the Whitsundays through common use.
During the mid 1800s the Whitsundays were the first north Queensland islands to attract the attention of the pioneers of the mainland coast. In the 1880s, grazing leases were granted for the islands. It was not until the 1920s that 'dreamers' built galvanised iron huts for guests. Cruise ship passengers rowed ashore for tropical fruits, tea and scones. The first day trippers from the mainland were the Prosperpine residents. They arrived on the island aboard the weekly mail boat. In 1962, the islands became more accessible when the road from Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour and the jetty were completed.
About the Whitsunday Group: Geologically the Whitsunday Islands are all drowned mountains. It is believed that, prior to the last Ice Age they were connected to the mainland and would have all been prominent mountains in the area. The melting of the polar caps drowned the valleys between the mountains creating a network of 74 islands. Eight of these islands now have resort facilities. Beyond the resorts the whole area is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the uninhabited islands are all controlled by the National Parks and Wildlife.
Today the words Whitsunday and Whitsunday Islands encompass the large 'town' of Whitsunday (created in 1987 to include the mainland settlements of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Shute Harbour) and the 74 islands surrounding Whitsunday Passage which make up the Whitsunday Islands. Eight of these islands have resort facilities.
Hill inlet and Whitehaven Beach
Stretching over nine kilometres, this pristine expanse of pure white silica sand fringed by brilliant blue water and lush tropical island, is recognised as one of the jewels of the Whitsunday Islands. Promoted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and rightly so, Whitehaven Beach is an integral part of the unique beauty of the Whitsundays. No visit to the Whitsundays is complete without a trip to Whitehaven Beach. It is serviced by modern Ferries, cruising yachts, seaplanes and helicopters. A variety of companies offer day trips and/or overnight charters to Whitehaven Beach from both the Islands, Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach.
The classic view of Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach that can be found in the photo collections of just about everyone who visits the Whitsundays is taken from Hill Inlet lookout on Whitsunday Island. The lookout is at the end of a gentle, easy 15 minute walk up a natural bush track up the northern face of the island from Tongue Bay. What you can see is the full view up peaceful Hill Inlet - a stunning inlet were tidal movements shift acres of pure white sand to create a fusion of beautiful azure blues. Whitehaven Beach provides the inlet's equally stunning backdrop.
So popular is the locality, at times, cruise vessels queue up to offload their passengers so they can make the trek up to the lookout. If possible, try to reach the lookout when the tide is changing, as the golden sand and aqua water hues blend seamlessly into a mosaic of colours.
Heart Reef
The Whitsundays is quite literally situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef so it is appropriate that the most famous reef in the Whitsundays is Heart Reef. Located within Hardy Reef, Heart Reef is a beautiful composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart, complete with its own lagoon. It can best be experienced from the air by helicopter or seaplane. A visit to Heart Reef is considered the perfect Valentine's Day, anniversary or romantic surprise for a loved one. Seeing the unique heart shaped coral formation from the air is a Whitsunday experience you will never forget.
Many tour companies combine a visit to Heart Reef with trips to other locations in the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. Interestingly, Heart Reef can only be viewed as heart-shaped from the air. At sea level it looks like any other reef and is rarely identified except by people who are very familiar with the reef.
The Major Resort Islands
Hamilton Island Hamilton Island is situated in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands with its own airport catering for direct commercial and charter flights. It is serviced by at least 48 flights a week, including direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns. Over 80 per cent of Hamilton Island has been preserved in its natural state so that visitors can continue to enjoy the pristine beauty of the island's fabulous beaches, unspoilt nature trails and secluded hideaways. After being used for grazing sheep since the 1890s, the island was bought by Keith Williams and Bryan Byrt for development as a resort. The first phase of the resort was opened in December 1982 and the first guests arrived in January 1983. A range of accommodation is available from simple Bure style to high rise apartments overlooking the island.
Hayman Island An island of some 294 hectares, Hayman rises to 250 metres at its highest point. The island's resort is located on the southerly shore fronted by a sweeping sandy beach and surrounded by 14 hectares of lush tropical gardens. A variety of birds inhabit the island, such as White cockatoos, painted lorikeets, kookaburras and kingfishers. Hayman hosts a colony of Proserpine Rock Wallabies. In October 1941 the island was declared a national park.
Monty Embury purchased the island's lease in late 1935 with a view to develop the tourism potential of the island. In 1948, Ansett subsidiary, Barrier Reef Islands Pty. Ltd. bought the lease as part of a plan to develop numerous resorts in the Whitsundays. The resort Ansett developed was aimed at wealthy overseas visitors. In 1953, Ansett dismantled its Daydream Island resort and shipped the buildings to Hayman Island, to attract a lower strata of client and drop the resort's 'millionaire status'. In 1987 the resort was demolished and rebuilt to luxury and exclusive status, re-opening in December 1987. It has been rated as amongst the world's best five-star resorts; it is decidedly up-market and its operators actively discourage charterers and the bare-chested, 'bare-boat' set from visiting.
Daydream Island Formerly named West Molle Island, Daydream Island is one of the smallest islands within the Whitsunday Group. Daydream is the closest of the Whitsunday Islands to Shute Harbour, lying just five km from the mainland. Just one km long, Daydream is popular with day visitors because of its close proximity to the mainland. Of its three beaches, one is fringed by outcrops of coral and colourful fish life. The island's dense jungle of tropical vegetation is inhabited by parrots and tiny sunbirds. The highest point on the island is 51 metres above sea level.
Christened West Molle Island in 1881, the present name "Daydream" came into use in 1932 when Lee (Paddy) and Connie Murray established the first tourist resort on the island. They re-named the island 'Day Dream' after a yacht owned by the Murray family. Ownership of the resort passed through a number of individuals or groups. Among them was Reg Ansett, who closed and dismantled the resort in 1953 and shipped the buildings to Hayman Island. A new resort was developed in 1968, but was almost totally destroyed in a cyclone two years later. It entered a period of major redevelopment in 1981 after years of unprofitability but was again closed down in 1989. These days there are two tourist resorts operating on the island: the original resort at the southern end caters to day visitors, only overnight guests can visit the newer resort (opened in 1990) at the north-eastern end of the island.
South Molle Island South Molle Island is the largest of the North, Mid and South Molle Island Group and the only one in the group with a resort. It was primarily used for sheep and cattle grazing until the development of tourist accommodation in the 1950s. In January 1970 the resort was badly damaged by cyclone Ada. Located eight kms north-east of Shute Harbour, South Molle is a very picturesque, hilly continental island with undulating grasslands, lush pockets of rainforest, secluded bays and fringing reefs. The Molle Islands are virtually joined so you can walk across to Mid Molle almost any time. In 1939 Mid Molle, Planton and Denman Islands were declared national parks.
Long Island Long Island is close to the mainland and one of the prettiest of the Whitsunday Islands. The Island is a national park with 13 kilometres of graded walking tracks across the Island, leading to beautiful secluded beaches and dense bush areas. Over the years, Long Island has been used as a sheep run and a banana and paw paw plantation. The island's first resort, at Happy Bay, was opened in 1934, but closed during World War II. Today there are three established resorts on the island. Paradise Bay, located at the southern end of Long Island is inaccessible to day visitors and it caters for a maximum of twenty guests only. Palm and Happy Bay are the nearest safe anchorages to Shute Harbour and therefore a popular spot for yachties.
Hook Island The second largest island in the Whitsunday group, Hook Island is almost uninhabited and quite rugged. Hook Peak, at 459 metres, is the highest mountain on the Island. One of the few walking tracks leads to Butterfly Bay - named so because of its unique shape and the butterflies which swarm around its shores. Two prominent geographical features on the southern side of Hook Island are Macona and Nara inlets (right), two fjord-like indentations that are popular anchorages for the Whitsunday tourist fleet. People refill their water tanks from the cascading waterfalls. The diversity of coral of the fringing reefs on the northern shores provide some of the best diving and snorkelling in the area. There is a low-key resort on the island, and camping is permitted at several sites around the Island. The observatory on Hook Island (completed in 1969) allows visitors to descend nine metres below the ocean to view coral, reef animals and plants in their own habitat. There are marine biologists on hand to explain the wonders of the reef. Resort facilities built near the observatory were opened in March 1981.
Lindeman Island Lindeman Island, promoted as the warmest island in the Whitsundays, is home to a sophisticated resort situated in 690 hectares of National Park. The island is covered by nearly 20 kilometres of bushwalking tracks. Natural features include Butterfly Valley; Mount Oldfield (212 metres above sea level) offers 360 degree views of Pentecost, Hamilton and Whitsunday Islands. The Island has seven beaches with Gap Beach a popular location for snorkelling and oystering. Golden orchids grow on the mangroves at the end of the beach and over 90 species of birds dart through the trees. Lindeman, which has its own airstrip, is the oldest of all of the resort islands in the Whitsundays. As early as 1923 Angus Nicolson established a primitive camp for visitors. Tourism to the island grew after World War II and in 1954, during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Australia, the Britannia anchored off Lindeman and the Queen swam in the waters near Piccaninny Point. In 1974 P&O took over the island and rebuilt the resort which was eventually sold to Club Med in 1992.
Brampton Island Brampton Island sits at the southern entrance of the Whitsunday Passage. Almost entirely National Park, the island has seven beaches and its own coral reef. Nestled amidst lush landscaped gardens, Brampton Island has a 106 room resort overlooking the Cumberland Group of Islands. The highest point of the island is Brampton Peak, 214 m above sea level. In 1916, Joseph Busuttin and his family became the island's first European settlers. The island's resort was first established in December 1933 when two of the Busuttin's sons welcomed passengers from the P&O ship SS Canberra. Busuttin's sons then sold the resort and left in 1959. An airstrip was built on the island in 1965 and a saltwater swimming pool was completed in 1972. In 1985, Trans Australia Airlines purchased Brampton Island, upgraded the resort and then sold it to P&O Resorts in late 1997. $3 million was spent on a major refurbishment of the resort before it was purchased by its current owners, Voyages.
Shute Harbour
Hamilton Island is situated in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands with its own airport catering for direct commercial and charter flights. It is serviced by at least 48 flights a week, including direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns. Over 80 per cent of Hamilton Island has been preserved in its natural state so that visitors can continue to enjoy the pristine beauty of the island's fabulous beaches, unspoilt nature trails and secluded hideaways. After being used for grazing sheep since the 1890s, the island was bought by Keith Williams and Bryan Byrt for development as a resort. The first phase of the resort was opened in December 1982 and the first guests arrived in January 1983. A range of accommodation is available from simple Bure style to high rise apartments overlooking the island. 
An island of some 294 hectares, Hayman rises to 250 metres at its highest point. The island's resort is located on the southerly shore fronted by a sweeping sandy beach and surrounded by 14 hectares of lush tropical gardens. A variety of birds inhabit the island, such as White cockatoos, painted lorikeets, kookaburras and kingfishers. Hayman hosts a colony of Proserpine Rock Wallabies. In October 1941 the island was declared a national park.
Formerly named West Molle Island, Daydream Island is one of the smallest islands within the Whitsunday Group. Daydream is the closest of the Whitsunday Islands to Shute Harbour, lying just five km from the mainland. Just one km long, Daydream is popular with day visitors because of its close proximity to the mainland. Of its three beaches, one is fringed by outcrops of coral and colourful fish life. The island's dense jungle of tropical vegetation is inhabited by parrots and tiny sunbirds. The highest point on the island is 51 metres above sea level.
South Molle Island is the largest of the North, Mid and South Molle Island Group and the only one in the group with a resort. It was primarily used for sheep and cattle grazing until the development of tourist accommodation in the 1950s. In January 1970 the resort was badly damaged by cyclone Ada. Located eight kms north-east of Shute Harbour, South Molle is a very picturesque, hilly continental island with undulating grasslands, lush pockets of rainforest, secluded bays and fringing reefs. The Molle Islands are virtually joined so you can walk across to Mid Molle almost any time. In 1939 Mid Molle, Planton and Denman Islands were declared national parks.
Long Island is close to the mainland and one of the prettiest of the Whitsunday Islands. The Island is a national park with 13 kilometres of graded walking tracks across the Island, leading to beautiful secluded beaches and dense bush areas. Over the years, Long Island has been used as a sheep run and a banana and paw paw plantation. The island's first resort, at Happy Bay, was opened in 1934, but closed during World War II. Today there are three established resorts on the island. Paradise Bay, located at the southern end of Long Island is inaccessible to day visitors and it caters for a maximum of twenty guests only. Palm and Happy Bay are the nearest safe anchorages to Shute Harbour and therefore a popular spot for yachties.
The second largest island in the Whitsunday group, Hook Island is almost uninhabited and quite rugged. Hook Peak, at 459 metres, is the highest mountain on the Island. One of the few walking tracks leads to Butterfly Bay - named so because of its unique shape and the butterflies which swarm around its shores. Two prominent geographical features on the southern side of Hook Island are Macona and Nara inlets (right), two fjord-like indentations that are popular anchorages for the Whitsunday tourist fleet. People refill their water tanks from the cascading waterfalls. The diversity of coral of the fringing reefs on the northern shores provide some of the best diving and snorkelling in the area. There is a low-key resort on the island, and camping is permitted at several sites around the Island. The observatory on Hook Island (completed in 1969) allows visitors to descend nine metres below the ocean to view coral, reef animals and plants in their own habitat. There are marine biologists on hand to explain the wonders of the reef. Resort facilities built near the observatory were opened in March 1981.
Lindeman Island, promoted as the warmest island in the Whitsundays, is home to a sophisticated resort situated in 690 hectares of National Park. The island is covered by nearly 20 kilometres of bushwalking tracks. Natural features include Butterfly Valley; Mount Oldfield (212 metres above sea level) offers 360 degree views of Pentecost, Hamilton and Whitsunday Islands. The Island has seven beaches with Gap Beach a popular location for snorkelling and oystering. Golden orchids grow on the mangroves at the end of the beach and over 90 species of birds dart through the trees. Lindeman, which has its own airstrip, is the oldest of all of the resort islands in the Whitsundays. As early as 1923 Angus Nicolson established a primitive camp for visitors. Tourism to the island grew after World War II and in 1954, during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Australia, the Britannia anchored off Lindeman and the Queen swam in the waters near Piccaninny Point. In 1974 P&O took over the island and rebuilt the resort which was eventually sold to Club Med in 1992.
Brampton Island sits at the southern entrance of the Whitsunday Passage. Almost entirely National Park, the island has seven beaches and its own coral reef. Nestled amidst lush landscaped gardens, Brampton Island has a 106 room resort overlooking the Cumberland Group of Islands. The highest point of the island is Brampton Peak, 214 m above sea level. In 1916, Joseph Busuttin and his family became the island's first European settlers. The island's resort was first established in December 1933 when two of the Busuttin's sons welcomed passengers from the P&O ship SS Canberra. Busuttin's sons then sold the resort and left in 1959. An airstrip was built on the island in 1965 and a saltwater swimming pool was completed in 1972. In 1985, Trans Australia Airlines purchased Brampton Island, upgraded the resort and then sold it to P&O Resorts in late 1997. $3 million was spent on a major refurbishment of the resort before it was purchased by its current owners, Voyages.
