Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are an archipelago of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland, between the mainland and the reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the islands are national park, covered in forest and ringed by clear-water bays. They are the traditional land and sea of the Ngaro people, who have lived in the region for more than 9,000 years.

Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island, has about 7 km of almost pure silica white sand, and the Hill Inlet lookout shows sand and water carving curves at the mouth of the channel. Farther offshore, on the Hardy Reef, is Heart Reef, a heart-shaped coral formation that can only be seen by airplane or helicopter.

Airlie Beach, on the mainland, is the most common base: day boats, overnight sailing trips, scenic flights and ferries to the islands depart from there. Hamilton Island, with its own airport, is the busiest island, with a marina and beaches.

Sailing is the focus of visits, with stops for snorkeling on the reefs that surround the islands. In the warm season tours provide lycra suits, and along the coast people swim in lagoons and sheltered areas.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island.