Things to do in The Whitsundays for couples

The little white chapel perched high above the sea sets the scene: Hayman Island is made for couples.

This private island resort is nestled at the northernmost point of the Whitsunday archipelago. And whether you arrive by seaplane, helicopter or luxury yacht, you’ll notice immediately how harmoniously the resort’s style blends into its background of nature and Coral Sea. It brings a calm that will remain for your entire stay.

There’s a lot to love about Hayman, from its spacious suites, flavor-pushing restaurants and enriching spa experiences to guided jetski safaris, dive classes and reef snorkelling. But the curated sunset picnic is a must. You’ll be whisked off to a private island via speedboat to enjoy a gourmet picnic packed by Executive Chef Erwin Joven. Watch the sun dwindle behind the horizon and swap your sunnies for stargazing.

qualia

Soak in a deep bathtub overlooking the Coral Sea. Savour locally caught seafood at exclusive Pebble Beach restaurant. Sink into a restorative Indigenous influenced spa treatment.  

If there’s one resort you need to experience in your lifetime, it’s Qualia. It’s the definition of absolute luxury, with a list of accolades that reads as long as its wine menu. Tucked privately into tropical bushland on Hamilton Island’s northern tip, Qualia is a world away from the bustle of the Whitsundays’ most popular island. Though it’s easy to get to, with daily flights into Hamilton Island from most major cities.

Each of the self-contained pavilions has a view that will make you lose yourself. Add sunset champagne cruises, day trips to the best beach in Australia, or 16-foot Hobie catamarans available to explore nearby islands, and doing nothing has never been so appealing. Here's your guide to 48 hours at the world's best resort. 

Elysian Retreat

Barefoot natural luxury comes in an eco-friendly package at Elysian Retreat. The private cove on Long Island is a three hectare oasis cocooned in untouched rainforest and the coral reef, with just 20 guests at a time.

But the guilty pleasures of an indulgent weekend escape don’t feel quite so guilty when you’re staying at the first 100% solar powered island resort on the Great Barrier Reef. Elysian Retreat works hard to minimise its environmental impact, from a sustainably sourced menu to eliminating single use plastics.

Wile away the hours by the pool, have an organic spa treatment, kayak, explore the fringing reef or get to know the island itself (which is mostly national park and also home to the exclusive Palm Bay Resort). There’s 13km of walking trails, protected bays and The Whitsunday’s best secret beaches to discover.

The best day trips in the Whitsundays for couples

Journey to the Heart

When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s one secret spot on the reef that wins every time.

The distinct shape of Heart Reef is something you’ve probably seen on your Instagram feed, but it looks even better in real life. Best appreciated from the air, you can experience this novel slice of nature on the extravagant Journey to the Heart tour.

Embarking from Hamilton Island, Journey to the Heart begins with a scenic helicopter ride giving passengers a lingering birds-eye vantage of Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Hook Island, and the romantic reef. Then it’s on to the nearby Heart Island, a state-of-the-art pontoon moored in the middle of a turquoise lagoon. From here, a glass-bottom boat ferries passengers right up to Heart Reef, with a snorkel tour of a nearby lagoon led by a marine biologist.

See Whitehaven from the air

Whitehaven might be Australia’s most famous beach, but with seven kilometres of glistening silica sand you won’t have trouble finding your own patch of paradise to sink your toes into.

There’s plenty of ways to experience Whitehaven, but one of the best would be avoiding the crowds altogether to see it from above. Gaze out over the expanse of beaches and islands with Air Whitsundays Seaplanes on a half day trip from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven. Get a front row seat to spectacular views of Hill Inlet, before landing at Whitehaven for the most extravagant beach swim you’ll have in your life.

Prefer chopper over plane? GSL Aviation operates scenic helicopter flights that will have you soar over the region’s most dramatic landscapes. Witness the change from greenery and river systems of Conway National Park, to the kaleidoscope of Hill Inlet and the breathtaking Whitsunday islands, then out to Heart Reef. 

Paddle power 

Want to add a little extra sweat into your day? If you have a penchant for taking your time, there’s no better way to traverse the Whitsundays than by kayak. Glide your way through the calm waters, and find quiet coves to pull up for a swim and a picnic lunch.

A day trip with Salty Dog is an exhilarating way to see the Whitsundays, but you can also set off on a six day island hop adventure for a truly remarkable experience you’ll retell for anniversaries to come.

Set sail in style

Take the slow lane and cruise in style around the Whitsundays on a day sailing trip.

Set sail, champagne-in-hand, with Cruise Whitsundays and you’ll be whisked off to the famous sands of Whitehaven Beach for a day to remember, including a beach picnic. ISail Whitsundays will also treat you to an extravagant day on – and below – the water, stopping to snorkel in the most untouched spots to marvel at the marine life. 

Meet the rainforest

The deep green behind the great blue is a much overlooked part of the region, but it shouldn’t be. If you’re based in Airlie Beach (and here’s where to stay if you are), then a day trip to Conway National Park is one of the best things to do in The Whitsundays for couples.

Explore the hiking tracks, meet the wildlife, and take a serene dip in one of nature’s best swimming holes: Cedar Creek Falls.

Here’s a few more day trips to explore.

Experiences you’ll remember forever

Sleep in an underwater hotel

Why sleep under the stars when you can sleep under water? Australia’s first underwater hotel has opened in The Whitsundays, so now you can watch the reef’s nocturnal come alive with activity from the comfort of your bed, in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.

No crowds, no WiFi. Just you, your partner, one of the country’s greatest treasures, in total luxury.

Captain your own yacht 

If you’re a couple that seeks adventure on the high seas over rose petals and giant bathtubs, then captaining your own bareboat through The Whitsundays is just the adrenalin rush for you. And with invitingly warm water temperatures year-round, the Whitsundays is basically a giant bathtub you can sail right through (and dive into whenever you want a dip).

What makes this holiday so special is that the Whitsundays is the only place in the world where you can skipper your own yacht without needing a boat licence. Even just a little sailing experience is enough to embark on a bareboating holiday through the Whitsundays.

Arrange your yacht charter with Go Bareboating or Sunsail. But if you’d rather someone with more experience wear the skipper’s cap, book a private cabin on a chartered cruise.