Airlie Beach
Owes its popularity, gradually increasing over the years, to its proximity to the Whitsunday Islands . although it is possible to stay on some of the islands, it is generally expensive to do so, so many visitors 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.

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 .

Hayman Island
Hayman Island is a small island at the northern tip of the group, and is privately owned with a 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.

South Molle Island
South Molle Island is also near the mainland. South Molle Island Resort is situated here.

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.

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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