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Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach owes its popularity, gradually increasing over the years, to its proximity to
the Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach being cheaper encourages many visitors to stay at Airlie Beach and
travel by ferry to one of the islands for the day, or take a cruise around
the various islands. None of the islands is more than an hour away by boat.
The main street is Shute Harbour Road with lots of cafes, restaurants, shops
and more. There is no beach in Airlie Beach but there is a swimming lagoon.
Airlie Beach has an active nightlife with many pubs and bars.
Daydream Island
Daydream Island is not part of the National Park and is the site of Daydream
Island Resort. On the central hill of this small island is dense tropical
vegetation which provides a home for colourful tropical birds, especially
parrots and sunbirds. Daydream Island is 15 minutes ferry ride from Shute Harbour with Blue Ferries.
Hamilton Island
Level with Long Island, but on the outside of the Whitsunday Passage is Hamilton
Island , the most famous of the Whitsunday Islands. This is a privately
owned island with an airport offering commercial flights to and from Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns , Brampton Island , Sydney and Melbourne. Hamilton Island has a number of accommodation options for different budgets.
Hayman Island
Hayman Island is a small island at the northern tip of the group, and is privately
owned with a five star resort.
Hook Island
Just south of Hayman Island is the much larger Hook Island . This is one of
the few islands upon which camping is permitted. There are walking trails
and two substantial peaks, of which the higher is Hook Peak at 459 metres.
At Nara Inlet, at the south of the island, there are aboriginal cave paintings.
There is also an underwater observatory nine metres beneath the surface of
the sea off the island. This is a popular island for day visits.
Lindeman Island
Home of Club Med resort. There is an airstrip for light aircraft. The island
has some pleasant walks, but is a little too far away from Shute Harbour
to be popular for day trips.
Long Island
There are twenty kilometres of walking tracks on the island, including some
of the best walking in the Whitsundays. Long Island is close to Airlie Beach and water taxis link the Long Island resorts to the mainland. Most of the island is a national park.
South Molle Island
South Molle Island is also near the mainland. South Molle Island Resort is
situated here. There are a number of walking trails to the peak of th Island which rises to 195 metres. Blue Ferries operate the transfer service.
North Molle Island
North Molle is not much visited.
Prosperine
Prosperine is the administrative centre for the Whitsundays. The town has some
art deco buildings. Upstream from the town is Prosperine Lake .
Shute Harbour
10 kms east of Airlie Beach an inlet with lots of boats. Shute harbour is where
most of the island transfer departs from. Secure parking is available at
the harbour.
Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach is seven kilometres of fine white sand and contrasts with the blue sea to make for classical brochure shots.
Whitsunday Island
This is the largest of the islands and is not developed. Whitehaven beach is found on the island and a very popular day trip. Camping is allowed at the south end of Whitehaven Beach but has no facilities.
Whitsunday Island
Famous for the six-kilometre Whitehaven Beach on the eastern side of the island
and popular for day trips. The island is uninhabited, though, and camping
is not permitted.
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