About Whitsundays
Lots Of Great Information About The Whitsunday Islands.
Queensland's Whitsunday Islands are a jewel in the Great Barrier Reef crown. They are a group of 74 islands not far off the central Queensland coast on the way to the Great Barrier Reef and are a popular tourist destination year-round. All islands about Whitsundays are pristine and mostly come under the banner of Whitsunday Islands National Park, while a handful are privately owned and have flash resorts. The islands consist of striking beaches, some of the best fishing, snorkeling and diving in the region, and also unlimited sailing options, while the weather is sublime for most of the year.
The islands were originally discovered by Captain Cook on Whitsunday 1770 (June 4) during his circumnavigation of Australia. In fact, Whitsunday later turned out to be a Monday due to a time-keeping discrepancy, although the original title stuck. The iconic captain was taken aback by their beauty, much like all those who have visited since. The seas around the islands are usually calm and clear and the water stays a nice temperature year-round, making it ideal for snorkeling and sailing.
The largest island in the chain is that of Whitsunday Island, which is one of the closest to shore and is uninhabited. It features the stunning Whitehaven Beach - one of the worldís most remarkable stretches of sand - as well as a bit of hiking amid its forested interior. Whitsunday Island is always included on standard tours of the islands, and certainly for those on a typical half-day jaunt about Whitsundays.
The nearest next major island, and the most popular, is Hamilton Island. It is a private island although is open to tourists and has excellent facilities and infrastructure. Hamilton boasts its own marina and airport and flights come in direct from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while ferries serve from both Airlie Beach and Shute Harbor. You can charter boats at Marina Village, do some shopping and eat at a swanky restaurant, and there are some high quality hotels and resorts on the island, to boot. Hamilton Island is surrounded by fringe reefs, although there is better snorkeling elsewhere.
Other major islands to check out include Hook Island farther north, which is especially known for its fishing, private Hayman Island farther north again, and the inshore resort islands of Daydream, South Molle, and Long islands. Most people tend to hang in Arlie Beach, where the vast majority of facilities and hotels are. There is an airport nearby, while trains and buses serve from north and south, along with the Bruce Highway. Nightlife options and activities in Airlie Beach are excellent and if you prefer a quieter time, yet still be close to the islands, Shute Harbor is nearby.
The weather in the Whitsunday Islands is about the best youíll get anywhere. It is sunny most of the year, but rarely excessively hot, doesnít see much rain on a national scale, and has nice winters. It can get hot and humid during the January-March summer months, which is when it is wettest, while those here for the sailing are best visiting March through August when it is windiest about Whitsundays.
