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From Airlie to Whitehaven Beach – our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays From Airlie to Whitehaven Beach – our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays From Airlie to Whitehaven Beach – our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays

From Airlie to Whitehaven Beach – our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays



While we near the last third of the year, it's getting mighty clear that we're in need of a holiday. The best part about living in our sunny state is that we have an abundance of dreamy destinations to explore right here on our doorstep. This month we decided to hightail it to the Whitsundays, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. What we were treated to was an unforgettable adventure in Queensland’s sunshine-filled slice of heaven. We swam with brightly coloured fish in the Great Barrier Reef, spotted whales frolicking in the cerulean waters, watched sensational sunsets and sank our toes into the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. So you can recreate our scenic escape, we have put together our ultimate guide to the Whitsundays. Packing your bags already? Before you start changing into your togs, here's our pick of the places you can sip, snack, swim, stay and snorkel on your glorious Whitsundays getaway ...


Touch the sky
The best part about a trip to the Whitsundays is that it only takes an hour and a half to get there by plane! That’s pretty much the same amount of time it takes to drive from Brisbane to the southern end of the Gold Coast. There are daily flights from most capital cities into the Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) and Great Barrier Reef (Hamilton Island) airports, so getting to the idyllic holiday destination is easy! If you’re landing in Proserpine, hop onboard a Whitsundays Transit bus, which will drop you to the doorstep of your accommodation – while providing some fascinating trivia about the Whitsundays on the way.

Base yourself at the beach
In our humble opinion, the best place to base yourself on your trip to the Whitsundays is Airlie Beach. Rest your weary head at Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays, a luxe accommodation spot in the heart of Airlie Beach. From here you can walk downstairs to grab a hearty breakfast at The Deck, walk across to the oceanfront lagoon for a dip (no stingers here, friends), hop on a friendly tuk tuk tour with Just Tuk’n Around or go shopping at the many boutiques that line the main street. Those looking for a family-friendly accommodation option can opt to stay in new glamping tents at Tasman Holiday Park, which can sleep up to six holiday seekers.

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Sleep with the fishes 
Ever wished you were in The Little Mermaid, living life under the sea? That’s exactly what you can do at Reefsuites, an undersea hotel in the Whitsundays where you can spend the night sleeping amongst the colourful aquatic garden that is the Great Barrier Reef. Anchored offshore at Hardy Reef (a couple of hours’ boat ride from Airlie Beach), this out-of-this-world accommodation destination boasts rooms with glass-walled ensuites and floor-to-ceiling views of the reef. Want to get even closer? You can take a private guided snorkelling tour, where you’ll be able to dive or swim through the natural wonderland that is the Great Barrier Reef and spot fish, turtles and maybe a reef shark or two. You’ll be singing ‘Under the Sea’ like Sebastian in no time!

Celebrate the Great Barrier Reef at this annual festival
Airlie Beach’s favourite family festival, the Great Barrier Reef Festival, inclusively connects the reef to the shore and celebrates the coastal region of the Whitsundays at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The fun-filled program is jam-packed to say the least – you can expect fireworks, live music, car shows, comedy and lots of kid-friendly activities. It happens every year in August, so make sure to pop it into your calendar!

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Chase sunsets
Those looking to cruise around with a champagne in hand can hop aboard Sundowner Cruises for a sunset cruise which circumnavigates Pioneer Bay from dusk to dark. You can sip on bubbles, graze on a platter of nibbles and keep your eye out for turtles coming up for a breath of air along the Airlie Beach coastline. For an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than The Rocks, a restaurant/bar/pool club hybrid. With uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea and a menu of mouth-watering eats, it’s the perfect place to perch, no matter the time of day. If we had a choice though, sunset is prime time to relax with a wine while enjoying the picturesque views.

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Sip and snack to your heart’s content
There are plenty of places to sate your appetite in the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach is home to a huge selection of incredible eateries. Overlooking the sparkling water at Coral Sea Marina is Sorrento Bar & Restaurant, which dishes up a delicious range of Italian fare including woodfired pizzas, homemade pastas and sumptuous share platters. The local’s choice, and a standout on Airlie Beach’s dining offering, is none other than seafood slinger Fish D’Vine, where you can treat your taste buds to locally sourced ocean-caught bites. Slurp up freshly shucked oysters, San Francisco-style seafood chowder and sizzling prawn cutlets. Fun fact – the restaurant’s Rum Bar serves up mojitos that have been dubbed as some of the best in the world – and we can attest to that fact.

Ride, beach, snorkel and bushwalk … all in one day!
A trip to the Whitsundays wouldn’t be complete without exploring Whitehaven Beach, the largest – and arguably the most breathtaking – of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. Ocean Rafting’s Southern Lights tour offers the perfect Whitehaven Beach expedition, visiting both ends of the world-famous beach and enjoying approximately two hours relaxing at the southern end of the 7-km stretch of idyllic white sand. You get to snorkel among vibrant coral, colourful fish and turtles, sink your toes into the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters and take the short walk up to the lookout and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Hill Inlet. If there’s one activity you do in the Whitsundays, let it be this spectacular day out.

Hot tip for your holiday: Before you head to the airport, let us recommend you pack a few things. Swimmers, sunscreen and a hat are a must. This writer would also recommend you bring aloe-vera gel for when you plan to wear sunscreen, forget to reapply because you’re having so much fun, then end up looking like a lobster on your return trip home. Don’t be mistaken for marine life and remember to slip, slop and slap!



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