125 km north of Mackay and 60 km south of Bowen on Queensland's coastal Bruce Highway is Proserpine. On its northern outskirts, turn off for the 20 minute drive through emerald green sugar cane farms and State Forest hilltops to the Whitsunday coast. The first suburb is Cannonvale, then comes the breathtaking view over Abel Point Marina and Pioneer Bay, followed by Airlie Beach. Proserpine and Airlie are regular stops for north and south bound transit coaches. In private cars the drive from Brisbane takes about 12 hours so plan to stop over mid trip so you arrive relaxed. From Cairns allow about 7 hours with breaks.
State of the art trains, including the fast Tilt Train, traverse Queensland's eastern sea-board. Call 132 332 and specify Proserpine as your destination station. Pre-book coach, taxi or limousine to your accommodation.
The two commercial airports are Whitsunday Coast Airport, near Proserpine, and Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island, serviced by Virgin and/or Jetstar. Qantas also flies to Hamilton Island. All mainland and island flights are either direct or connect via Sydney or Brisbane. From Proserpine it's a 35-minute transfer to coastal destinations. Hamilton Island involves a picturesque 35-45 minute big catamaran transfer or a spectacular 15 minute light plane flight to the mainland. Coach, taxi, limousine, light plane and ferry transfers should be booked before departure.
| Getting Around the Whitsunday Coast |
Comfortable, air-conditioned public buses connect Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine and the Whitsunday Coast airport. Timetables are free from most receptions or booking centres in town or call (07) 4946 1800.
Taxi ranks are on Airlie Beach's main street and in the two major shopping centres in nearby Cannonvale. Pre book airport transfers or custom pick-ups on 131 008 (or 07-4944 4931 from outside the area).
Alternatively, do it in style with the local limo service (1800 700 246) or hire your own mainland vehicle with Avis (07 4946 6318), Fun Rentals (07 4948 0489) or any of the many rental options. Choose from cars, mokes, motor scooters and push bikes.
| Getting Around the Whitsunday Islands |
Use Cruise Whitsundays (07 4946 4662) or Fantasea Cruises (1800 650 851) for inter-island connections variously linking Whitsunday Coast Airport, Shute Harbour, Hamilton, South Molle, Daydream and Long Islands. 'Voyager' connects with Hook Island.
Light plane, seaplane and helicopter transfer, tour and charter services are at Whitsunday Airport, between Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Call the airport (07 4946 9180) it can also park and refuel your own plane.
To get you oriented, go to our maps
| Travel, Accommodation Bookings, Cruises, Tours, Advice |
For island accommodation, click here
For Whitsunday Coast accommodation, click here
 Airliebeach.com
Jetstar
Pavilion Cruise & Travel
Qantas
Queensland Rail
Virgin Blue
Where? What? How?
Whitsunday Airport
Whitsunday Bookings
Bus Timetables
Bus timetables
Rental vehicles
Avis
Europcar
Fun Rentals
Island transfers
Blue Ferries
Cruise Whitsundays
Air Whitsunday Seaplanes
Helireef/Island Air/Hamilton Island Aviation (Aviation Tourism Australia)
Aviation Adventures
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Welcome to the Whitsundays is published by Media Rites Whitsunday. 