Whitsundays tourist attractions & things to see

To chat face-to-face to a local about all the best things to see and do in The Whitsundays step into a Visitor Information Centre. 

With the Whitsunday Islands residing in the very centre of the Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with this natural wonder, flippers in hand, snorkelling and diving the coral-laden stretch. But with options like taking a seaplane to catch a glimpse of the natural beauty of the reef from the sky, you can also experience its exceptional beauty while avoiding getting wet altogether. 

Holidays here are broadly defined by the exquisite natural settings, but with a bounty of beautiful sandy stretches to choose from, there’s an island for everyone in this coral-laden paradise and your Whitsunday holiday can look however you like. Whether it’s adventure or relaxation – or that inimitable combination of the two – that draws you to these sunsoaked shores, you’ll find exploration is encouraged and you’ll be rewarded at every turn for making the effort.

From vibrant resort towns where travellers of all types mingle to rainbow-hued reefs teeming with a plethora of marine life, the Whitsundays is an attraction as much as a destination, a place equally famed as a mecca for sailing, diving and snorkelling as well-heeled holidays soaking in the pristine natural surroundings aboard luxury yachts. It’s here that everyone finds something to craft lifelong memories, from close contact with marine life in colourful coral reefs, to the delight of slipping into the turquoise waters of secluded bays with white sand beaches and the unique outdoor sleeping experiences that await on the reef.  

Tempted by the endless activities on offer and myriad accommodation options, families tend to sway towards Hamilton Island, while the more adventurous may stray for the uninhabited, like Hook Island, with its spectacular natural surroundings and outstanding snorkelling. As you may have heard, the beaches here are second to none. In fact, they’re award-winning – the Whitsundays is home to the iconic Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, a seven-kilometre stretch of swirling silica sand that won TripAdvisor’s ‘Travellers Choice Best Beach in the World 2021’. 

The seaside town of Airlie Beach has long been considered the gateway to the Whitsundays region, while the family favourite of Hamilton Island is home to as many accommodation options as it has beautiful beaches. And there are just as many things to see in the Whitsundays, with top attractions including the adventurous, like  exploring underwater sculptures as you snorkel the reef along the Ngaro Sea Trail or feeling the spray of the ocean while jet boating. 

Leaning more towards a luxury holiday? Exploring Whitsundays attractions like Heart Reef from above could be more your thing. As its name suggests, the coral outcrop of Heart Reef is shaped just like a heart and has become one of the country’s most recognised attractions. Best reached by plane, take in the view from above before landing for a swim in the waters of Hardy Reef, which offers some of the most luxurious Whitsundays day tours with options including scenic helicopter flights and glass-bottom boat tours of Heart Reef lagoon followed by snorkelling and champagne. 

You can also wake up to sunrise on the reef after a night sleeping under the stars on the Hardy Reef pontoon or under it at Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel. And then there’s the world’s best resort, qualia, a true heaven on earth where it’s impossible not to slide into a state of total relaxation. 

How to visit the Whitsundays

Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and Whitsunday Airport (Shute Harbour) are the closest airports on the mainland, but there are also direct flights to and from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Cairns from Great Barrier Reef Airport – the only commercial airport in the Whitsunday Islands – on Hamilton Island. 

Surrounded by water, the Whitsundays region is naturally best explored by boat, with regular transfers operating between Hamilton Island and Daydream Island, and there are a plethora of day trips to the islands from the mainland along with ferries to Hamilton Island which depart throughout the day from Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour. Want to maximise your time on the water? Choose a Whitsundays sailing holiday where options include going solo, chartering a yacht or bareboating. 

On land, things are a little more traditional – a shuttle bus or hire car is the easiest way to traipse the Whitsunday Coast on the mainland, which can be organised in Airlie Beach or Proserpine. Or make an adventure of it and road trip your way to Airlie Beach from the Queensland capital. The journey from Brisbane meanders 1,000 kilometres and takes 12 hours, or from Cairns a mere seven.