Explore the best walks and hikes in The Whitsundays

List

A couple at a walk lookout admiring the beach view

By Kristie Lau-Adams

The Whitsundays, a cluster of 74 spectacular islands, is filled with natural attractions and they’re not all fringed with white sand. Rich subtropical rainforest hides a series of walks and hikes, each memorable in its own way.

From dizzying elevations and historical relics to endangered flora and fauna and secret swimming spots, hiking around The Whitsundays provides plenty of pinch-me moments. Take a look at our favourites:

The Airlie Creek Track, Airlie Beach

Couple sitting on a bench along Airlie Creek walking track, admiring the fig trees and rainforest — Airlie Creek Track, Airlie Beach, The Whitsundays

It’ll feel easy breezy when you first make tracks along The Airlie Creek Track, which scales the hill behind Airlie Beach, but brace yourself for a challenging climax. The simple stint soon turns tough, shifting from a five-degree slope to a 20-degree slope by the time you’ve reached the top. Just keep hiking as you’ll spot magical rock pools, grand fig trees, native wildlife and perhaps even the endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby along the way. Spectacular views up top span the Coral Sea and several Whitsunday Islands.

Duration: 850m return and approximately 1hr to complete

Classification: Grade 1: Easy to Grade 4: Difficult

Accessibility: No

Conway Circuit (formerly Whitsunday Great Walk), Conway National Park, Airlie Beach

Views across Airlie Beach and Coral Sea from Conway National Park, while hiking the Conway Circuit — Conway Circuit, Conway National Park, The Whitsundays. Photo by @east_coastexplorers

It’s one mother of a journey but the Conway Circuit, previously known as The Great Whitsunday Walk, is a fabulous way to totally immerse yourself in the serenity of Conway National Park on Airlie Beach. The multi-day expedition ventures through subtropical rainforest, past vivid-blue Ulysses butterflies (so keep your eyes peeled for them) and pops you out in central Airlie Beach. You’ll also pass three camping grounds to help break up your journey.

Duration: 27.1 km and approximately 3 days to complete

Classification: Grade 4: Difficult

Accessibility: No

Honeyeater Lookout Walk, Conway National Park, Airlie Beach

Young female hiker stands with arms outstretched at Honeyeater Lookout, Conway National Park, The Whitsundays — Honeyeater Lookout, Conway National Park, The Whitsundays. Photo by @benjamin_crisp

Another mountain bike-friendly option, the Honeyeater Lookout Walk in Conway National Park is an Airlie Beach highlight. The track is rugged, so hikers require a reasonable level of fitness but if you’re feeling fierce, don’t think twice — the views from the lookout extend right across the Coral Sea and they’re nothing short of dazzling. It’s also a popular spot for sunrise and sunset so expect to rub shoulders with awe-struck comrades.

Duration: 8 km return and approximately 3 hours to complete.

Classification: Grade 4: Difficult

Accessibility: No.

Cape Edgecumbe Trail, Bowen

In the north lies the laidback town of Bowen, home to a Whitsunday hike that showcases several stunning attractions. You’ll kick things off at Horseshoe Bay, one of Queensland’s most picturesque beaches, before taking in the Rotary Lookout, the World War II Radar Site Lookout, the Mother Beddock Lookout, Murray Bay and Rose Bay before the day’s done.

Duration: 2.5 km and approximately 1.5 hours to complete.

Classification: Grade 3: Intermediate

Accessibility: No. While safety rails and wide trails are found, there are steps, so wheelchairs and prams are not recommended.

Hill Inlet Lookout Track, Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

Three women overlooking Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach from the lookout on Whitsunday Island — Hill Inlet Lookout, The Whitsundays

A Whitsundays headliner, Whitehaven Beach is absolutely breathtaking and the Hill Inlet Lookout Track provides a wonderful vantage point. Located in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, the path goes a short distance uphill from either Hill Inlet or Tongue Bay as views of the famed turquoise-and-cream swirl stream generously from multiple lookouts along the way. Once you reach Hill Inlet Lookout itself, the beach’s staggering beauty is uninterrupted and undeniable.

Duration: 1.3 km and approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Classification: Grade 3: Intermediate

Accessibility: No. Several sets of stairs and a dirt path are clearly defined; however wheelchairs and prams are not recommended.

South Molle Island

Hike or bike across South Molle Island with two trails encouraging both two-feet and two-wheel fun. Take your pick from the Sandy Bay to Spion Kop Lookout trail which offers plenty of breathtaking scenery, or the Sandy Bay to Mount Jeffreys trail to explore the island’s highest point.

Duration: Sandy Bay return via Spion Kop: 8.4 km with most people completing two hours of walking and 30 minutes of riding; Sandy Bay return via Mount Jeffreys: 8 km return, with most people completing two hours of walking and 30 minutes of riding.

Classification: Both trails are Grade 3: Intermediate

Accessibility: No. While both follow a shared trail for mountain bikers and walkers, prams and wheelchairs are not recommended.