Whitsundays
Mission Beach
Magnetic Island Townsville
Whitsunday
Islands Airlie Beach
Eungella
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Great Barrier Re ef Great Barrier Reef
Mackay
Rockhampton Mount Archer NP Gladstone
Sandstone Wilderness Bundaberg
Carnarvon NP
Coral-fringed archipelagos with picture-postcard beaches , this is Mother Nature at her best
One of Australia ’ s most iconic destinations , the 74 Whitsunday Islands sit in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef . Jam-packed with bucket-list experiences you could discover a new island , a new beach or a new snorkel site every day in the Whitsundays . Most are uninhabited national parks , with several offering a variety of resort accommodation , all with the fringing Great Barrier Reef on the doorstep .
Day trips and short cruises take you to floating pontoons for diving and snorkelling , or dreamy beaches where you can release your inner Robinson Crusoe . The jewel of the Whitsundays ’ crown is award-winning Whitehaven Beach , famous for its dazzling white silica sand , while the coral cay of Lady Elliot Island is a sanctuary for more than 1,200 species of marine life , particularly manta rays and turtles .
The mainland hub of The Whitsundays is the tropical resort town of Airlie Beach which , along with fantastic shopping and dining , has a great holiday vibe .
In Central Queensland many hidden gems lurk in the Capricorn region . In a relatively small area discover diverse national parks , rare flora and fauna in the Sandstone Wilderness , ancient art in the Carnarvon National Park and admire the high peaks of Mount Archer National Park . Here also is charming Rockhampton , known for its beef , country pubs and good oldfashioned rodeo ; dynamic Gladstone where you can dive , swim , snorkel , surf , hike or float about in a boat . In Bundaberg you can snorkel over coral gardens , watch turtles nesting and hatching , catch a wave on an uncrowded beach and dine out on food and wine that ’ s come straight from the ocean or paddock to your plate .
In the Mackay region , which sits in the middle of the Queensland coast , see wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park , dive with shy platypus in Eungella National Park or hop around the secluded offshore islands .
Further north , Townsville offers a real taste of the tropics with its mix of modern architecture and restored heritage buildings , bustling outdoor cafés , boutiques and quirky galleries , all linked by a shady park-lined beach promenade . Nearby are the 23 bays and beaches of Magnetic Island , while in fabulous Mission Beach nature takes centre stage with its long unspoilt beaches , deserted islands and white-water rivers fringed by rainforest .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Getting there : Brisbane is about 21 hours from the UK ( including a stopover ). Onward flights are available to Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine for Airlie Beach ; and the Great Barrier Reef airport on Hamilton Island . Boat transfers operate between the smaller islands .
Best time to go : The subtropical climate brings warm summers and mild winters . Most rainfall tends to occur December-March , but this is usually in the form of brief tropical showers .
UNMISSABLE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND & WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS EXPERIENCES
Get more out of your stay . Prices are per person
SIP & SAIL SUNSET CRUISE from £ 79 ( includes cheese platter & selected drinks ) Enjoy the magic of sailing on a stylish yacht while sailing in Cleveland Bay and watching the sun setting over Magnetic Island , as you feast on a gourmet cheese platter with accompanying drinks .
WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS & WHITEHAVEN BEACH from £ 87
This afternoon cruise from Hamilton Island takes you through the extraordinarily beautiful Whitsunday Islands to world famous Whitehaven Beach where you have time to wander on the beach or swim in the azure waters . Tour includes afternoon tea . Also available from Airlie Beach .
BBQ DINNER CRUISE from £ 105 ( includes BBQ buffet dinner ) For a dinner experience like no other , depart Hamilton Island aboard Ocean Explorer and cruise to a secluded bay for a delicious BBQ buffet dinner before a leisurely cruise back to shore .
REEF EXPLORATION - SNORKELLING from £ 118 ( includes lunch ) Depart Mission Beach for a full day reef exploration around Dunk Island cruising aboard the Reef Goddess . There are stops at two snorkel sites , so you have the opportunity to soak up the incredible underwater world .
REEF & ISLAND SCENIC FLIGHT from £ 169
Get a different perspective of the Great Barrier Reef during a one hour scenic flight from Airlie Beach which includes Whitehaven Beach , the swirling sands of Hill Inlet and more .
GREAT BARRIER REEF ADVENTURE from £ 185 ( includes lunch ) Travel from Hamilton Island to Hardy Reef for three hours at Reefworld , where activities include an underwater viewing chamber , semi-submersible rides and full use of snorkelling equipment . Also available from Airlie Beach .
50 AUSTRALIA visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900