Whitsunday Coast - Welcome to the Whitsundays

Things To Do And See

The Whitsundays (consisting of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Mandalay and Shute Harbour) offers a mix of First World services and security set within a laid back tropical lifestyle. The best advantage of all: almost all island-, water-, natural wonders and activities are within easy reach of a mainland base. However, a mainland holiday comes with a warning for the lifestyle easily seduces. Locals just smile when they hear of yet another visitor who has gone home, packed up and moved back to the Whitsunday mainland as fast as they possibly could!

The Whitsunday Coast extends from Bowen in the north to Laguna Whitsundays and Midge Point in the south. To the west is Proserpine and the Peter Faust Dam. National Park and State forests roll down almost to the water's edge. The main centre, Airlie Beach, consists of one main street and a few side streets peppered with coffee lounges, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, fast food eateries, boutiques, banks, small supermarkets and accommodation alternatives. The amphitheatre of framing hills is partially cloaked in self-contained apartment accommodation with views to die for.

Things To Do And See

Airlie Beach Lagoon: beaches, shade areas, lifeguards, free barbecue facilities and seafront appeal for everyone from babes in arms to seasoned travellers. The safe, filtered water is stinger-free year round.

The Bicentennial Walkway: 3 km of waterfront paths and boardwalks meandering from the Whitsunday Sailing Club right round to Cannonvale's esplanade. Stroll through two parks, the Airlie Lagoon parkland, past Coral Sea Resort and Abel Point Marina and around Whisper Bay. Photo opportunities abound and you pass by or near to plenty of places for coffee, a cool drink or window shopping.

Airlie Beach Race Week: In August and September annually the famous Race Week culminates in the even more famous 'Great Whitsunday Fun Race'. A great time to partake of special events and activities centred around Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Whitsunday Great Walk: view undisturbed flora, fauna and breathtaking scenery. Plan for the three day Whitsunday Great Walk itself through the Conway Range, or take impromptu short walks that introduce you to the natural attractions and superb views that abound in the area. Before setting out, check that the walks are open (rain may force them to close) and obtain a permit.

Shute Harbour (11km from Airlie Beach): Don't miss the staggering views from the Lions Lookout plus the natural harbour and proximity to the islands means that the jetty precinct is usually a hive of activity with boats and visitors coming and going. On the way, stop off at at the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (corner of Shute Harbour and Mandalay Roads) for local flora and fauna displays and Great Walk and island camping permits. Well signposted bushwalks are in the Conway National Park further along, after Flametree.

Whitsunday Airport: start here for spectacular airborne views of the islands, reefs and mainland from a fixed wing plane, a helicopter or at the end of a parachute if tandem skydiving. Or just sip a cool drink or coffee and watch this busy light airport's landings and take-offs.

Cannonvale: two major shopping centres at the corners of Island Drive and Paluma Road respectively and numerous services, all within easy reach by several modes of transportation.

Strathdickie and Brandy Creek: emerald green cane fields (and twilight cane fires in season) and the rainforest which surrounds the entrance to the Great Walk in Brandy Creek Road. Drive the 49 km circuit along Shute Harbour Road, right into Riordanvale Road then left into Sugarloaf Road. Turn right at the T-junction into Gregory-Cannon Valley Road then left into Strathdickie Road at 'The Smithy' before again meeting up with Shute Harbour Road.

Wildlife: See crocodiles at a safe distance on a safari tour, and almost anywhere you'll spot rainbow lorikeets, sulphur crested cockatoos, kookaburras, owls, sunbirds, wallabies, goannas, tree frogs, pheasant coucals, geckoes, skinks and more.

Expend some energy: water sports, parasailing, tandem skydiving, push biking, swimming, shopping until it's coffee break or food time or partying into the small hours at a local nightclub or bar.

Pamper yourself: several spas and beauty salons are located on the Whitsunday Coast or just laze away the time by your accommodation’s pool, with or without a good book.

And then there are: movies and shows at Proserpine’s Entertainment Centre and in Bowen, ten-pin in Bowen, sugar mill tours in Proserpine (in season), golf in Proserpine and at Laguna Whitsundays, special local events, and for the rest of your time, eat and drink your way through dozens of restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways.

For exploring further afield, click here
For more information on action and adventure, click here
For maps showing the major areas of the Whitsunday Coast, click here

Accommodation On The Whitsundays Coast

There's no doubt you will find the right mainland accommodation, from the most basic of dormitories to numerous four or four and a half star alternatives, stylish hotel rooms, self-contained apartments, motels, cabins and caravan parks. Most welcome children and some allow pets.

Accommodation is available from the heart of Airlie to away-from-it-all holiday homes and cottages in the Airlie hills, there's plenty in quieter Cannonvale and as far afield as Proserpine, Midge Point, Cape Gloucester and Bowen.

Bed and Breakfasts offer visitors tired of 'formula' holidays a personal home away from home experience quite different to that found in hotels and resorts. A variation on the B&B theme in the Whitsundays is self-catered cottages in private bushland abundant with wildlife yet only minutes from the supermarket and Abel Point Marina.

Book accommodation early if planning a stay in peak seasons.

Adventure Whitsunday Resort Caravan Park
Airlie Beach Hotel
Airlie Beach Motor Lodge
Airlie Court Holiday Units
Airlie Cove Resort & Van Park
Airlie Seaview House
Baybreeze Whitsunday Coast Resort
Beach Court Holiday Villas
Boathaven Spa Resort
Cane Cutters Cottage
Colonial Palms Motor Inn
Coral Sea Resort
CPQ Holidays (holiday houses & units)
Downtown Airlie
Island Gateway Holiday Park
Marina Shores Resort
Martinique Whitsunday
Mediterranean Resorts
Peninsula
Pinnacles Resort & Spa
Portside Whitsunday
Reefside Villas Whitsunday Holiday Apartments
Toscana Village Resort
Seastar Apartments
Shingley Beach Resort
Water’s Edge Luxury Apartments
Waterfront Whitsunday Boutique Hotel
Whitsunday Palms Motel
Whitsunday Terraces Resort
Whitsunday Wanderers Resort

Getting About

Rental cars, limousines, taxis, mokes, scooters, bicycles and the local bus service will have you zipping around in no time. When it comes time to go cruising, the majority of boats provide free courtesy transfers to and from your accommodation's doorstep to Abel Point Marina and Shute Harbour.

More Information

Great Walk
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Airlie Beach Race Week

For more on the islands, click here
For cruising options, click here
For what to see and do further afield, click here
For more on night life, click here
For more on restaurants, click here
For maps of the coast, click here