Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Viewpoint · Airlie Beach, Queensland
Hill Inlet
Lookouts at Tongue Point on Whitsunday Island above the mouth of Hill Inlet, where the tide carves white sand curves and blue water north of Whitehaven Beach.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Hill Inlet
Hill Inlet is the bay at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. At its mouth, the tide moves over white sandbanks and creates bands of blue and green that change throughout the day. The best-known viewpoint is from the Tongue Point lookouts on the inlet’s north side.
Boats land visitors in Tongue Bay. From there, a track climbs through coastal forest, with steps, to two timber lookouts over the inlet; the route is about 1.4 km return and takes around 40 minutes. A secondary track descends to Lookout Beach at the inlet mouth, accessible from mid to high tide.
The site is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park, traditional land and sea of the Ngaro people, and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the landscape’s formation.
Almost all full-day trips to Whitehaven stop at Hill Inlet.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour, including the climb and time at the lookouts.
Best time
Around low tide, when more sandbanks appear at the mouth. Tours usually time visits to the day’s tide.
How to get there
By boat to Tongue Bay on a guided tour from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, then on foot along the track.
Tip
Wear closed shoes or sturdy sandals for the steps. The trail is not wheelchair accessible.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hill Inlet
How long is the Hill Inlet lookout walk?
About 40 minutes, round trip, a short climb with steps from Tongue Bay.
What is the best time to see Hill Inlet?
Around low tide, when the sandbanks are more visible. Tours time the stop according to the tide.
Are Hill Inlet and Whitehaven the same place?
They are next to each other: Hill Inlet is the bay at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island.