About Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Islands are 74 continental islands of various sizes off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, 900 kilometres north of Brisbane, which are part of the traditional lands and waters of the Ngaro and Gia peoples.
Places to visit in Whitsundays
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Whitehaven Beach
Beach · 7 mi from centreA long beach of pure white silica sand on Whitsunday Island. Visit on a boat tour, and wear a stinger suit in the warmer months.
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Hill Inlet
Viewpoint · 4 mi from centreA swirling inlet of white sand and turquoise water at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach. Go at low tide for the most striking patterns from the lookout.
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Airlie Beach
Neighborhood · 14 mi from centreThe main gateway town for the Whitsundays, with a lively foreshore and a swimming lagoon. Use the lagoon for safe swimming, as the sea has stingers in summer.
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Hamilton Island
Neighborhood · 4 mi from centreA resort island with an airport, marina and beaches. Rent a golf buggy to get around, and climb Passage Peak for views over the islands.
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Conway National Park
Nature · 11 mi from centreA coastal national park near Airlie Beach with rainforest walks and lookouts. Hike to the Honeyeater Lookout for views over the Whitsunday Islands, and carry water in the humid heat.
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Daydream Island
Beach · 8 mi from centreA small resort island with an outdoor aquarium called the Living Reef. It is a quick ferry ride from Airlie Beach and good for a family day trip.
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Hayman Island
Beach · 17 mi from centreA luxury resort island at the northern edge of the Whitsundays, close to fringing reefs. Snorkel on the nearby reefs at Blue Pearl Bay, which many day boats also visit.
Things to do in Whitsundays by type
12 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 7 experiences Fly and Raft Package Experience -
Cruise & Water Tours 3 experiences Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Hardy Reef Pontoon -
Tour & activities 3 experiences Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Hardy Reef Pontoon -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences Hamilton Island AM and Whitehaven Beach PM Self Guided Tour -
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours 2 experiences 60 minutes Scenic Flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef
- 1-3 hours 3
- Over 6 hours 3
- 3-6 hours 2
- Small group 3
Top experiences in Whitsundays
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 12 available.
Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach Cruise
From $124 per adult
Noosa River Guided Kayak Tour
From $52 per adult
Surf Experience: 90 Minutes Private Lesson - Ticket
From $142 per adult
Surf Experience: 6-Hour Beginner Private Lesson - Ticket
From $126 per adult
Surf Experience: 2-Hour Beginner Lesson - Ticket
From $52 per adult
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Hardy Reef Pontoon
From $226 per adult
Hamilton Island Freestyle
From $116 per adult
Hamilton Island AM and Whitehaven Beach PM Self Guided Tour
From $161 per adult
60 minutes Scenic Flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef
From $274 per adult
Fly and Raft Package Experience
From $440 per adult
Best time to visit Whitsundays
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Whitsundays is June to November, when average daytime highs are around 72–84°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Whitsundays weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 79° 73° 49%
- Thu 22 Oct 80° 73° 51%
- Fri 23 Oct 79° 74° 67%
- Sat 24 Oct 80° 73° 88%
- Sun 25 Oct 82° 72° 42%
- Mon 26 Oct 82° 75° 37%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.43
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Australia/LindemanUTC+10
- Capital
- Canberra
Upcoming public holidays in Australia
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Whitsundays
These are the airports closest to central Whitsundays. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HTI Great Barrier Reef Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
- WSY Whitsunday Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
- PPP Whitsunday Coast Airport28 mi (45 km) from the city centre
Whitsundays travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Whitsundays?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Whitsundays is June to November, when average daytime highs are around 72–84°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in Whitsundays?
January is usually the warmest month in Whitsundays, with average highs of 85°F (30°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 66°F (19°C). The wettest month is typically February, with about 377 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Whitsundays?
Great Barrier Reef Airport (HTI) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Whitsundays. Other nearby airports include Whitsunday Airport (WSY, 11 mi) and Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP, 28 mi).
What currency is used in Whitsundays?
Whitsundays uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.43.
What time zone is Whitsundays in?
Whitsundays uses the Australia/Lindeman time zone (currently UTC+10). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
What are the best places to visit in Whitsundays?
Top sights in Whitsundays include Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. A long beach of pure white silica sand on Whitsunday Island. Visit on a boat tour, and wear a stinger suit in the warmer months.
What are the top things to do in Whitsundays?
Popular experiences you can book in Whitsundays include Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach Cruise, Noosa River Guided Kayak Tour and Surf Experience: 90 Minutes Private Lesson - Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Whitsundays?
The most popular types of experiences in Whitsundays are outdoor activities & adventure (7), cruise & water tours (3), tour & activities (3) and day trips & excursions (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
