Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef
Informative Facts About The Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef.
Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef are part of the same system of islands and reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland. It is the largest reef system in the world and, although the Whitsunday Islands are near the shore and somewhat separated from the main reef, they are classed as being a part of it. There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays chain which lie, on average, 10 miles offshore. The Great Barrier Reef proper is double this again beyond the Whitsundays' remotest island. The islands are mostly protected under national park status and are largely uninhabited, bar a few privately-owned islands, and are typified by striking beaches, clear, warm waters and an inherent beauty.
Both islands and reef have been a great source of interest for centuries, but the last few decades in particular have seen them elevated exponentially on the holiday destination front. They are by no means overrun, however, enjoying a high level of protection, while resorts and nearby towns are tastefully done. The big attraction of the Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef is the profusion of marine life and stunning reef systems. You can dive, snorkel, fish, swim, and even charter a boat and take in the islands at your own pace. Whitehaven Beach on the largest island, Whitsunday Island, is the main landmark of the chain. It is several miles long and has the most delectable sands of anywhere, being composed almost completely of silica sand which makes it appear almost pure white.
The bulk of visitors to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays stay in Airlie Beach on the mainland and get on a day cruise, or indeed, on a liveaboard to explore the Great Barrier Reef proper. It is quite a way out, so doing a liveaboard is the best bet if you really want to get in-tune with the reef. There is a wide choice of cruises on offer, from half-day expeditions aimed at the backpacker fraternity that take in Whitehaven Beach and snorkeling, up to multi-day, all-encompassing cruises for the moneyed. You can also bareboat charter, which means you have to supply food and equipment, or head for one of the private islands and stay in a resort there.
Hamilton Island is the main private island and has the best facilities by a country mile. It is not too far offshore, is just south of Whitsunday Island, and comes with a small town, plenty of hotels, a modern marina and even an airport. Hayman Island is farther north and boasts the smartest resort in the region, although you need a reservation to visit here. There are also islands with facilities closer to shore, including Daydream Island and Long Island, and they are ideal for families.
On the activities front at Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef, the scuba diving and snorkeling are world class, while the fishing is also top-draw, including around the islands, on the reef proper, at the mainland, and around the estuary to the south of Airlie Beach. There is also superb sailing to be had, while the kayaking and sky diving is also pretty great. Activities can be enjoyed practically year-round, with only a few months (typically January through March) seeing any amount of high rainfall. Airlie Beach and nearby Shute Harbor have the bulk of the facilities, accommodation, restaurants and bars, and are best accessed via Proserpine Airport. You can also fly direct to Hamilton Island or ferry it across.
