An aerial view of spectacular Whitehaven Beach in The Whitsundays, Queensland. Warm, turquoise-hued water and soft, impeccably white sand make for stunning surrounds. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Summer is calling as Queensland offers warm temperatures and sunny days, perfect for beach activities and outdoor adventures. As the former premier Campbell Newman said: “Well, something is happening in Queensland that’s not happening anywhere else in the world.”
To be precise, something special is happening as you discover The Whitsundays: an enchanting cluster of idyllic islands that does not fail to impress. There’s magnificence as far as the eye can see. From the multi-hued blue water to the white swirls, from colourful marine life to majestic coral reefs, you could spend a lifetime admiring this destination!
One can’t help but be awestruck by the beauty – the white-silica beaches that are the softest sand, turquoise-blue waters and the teeming life there, the delicious food, incredible sights, adventure-filled national parks and much more. With 2300 kilometres of coral, there’s so much to notice and experience.
Exploring The Whitsundays, which is in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, with my family has been among my treasured memories. It offers an unparalleled reef experience.
With 74 gorgeous islands and sparkling waters, it’s no wonder more than 900,000 combined international and domestic visitors have been to this haven in the past year.
The Whitsundays has welcomed a record number of domestic and international visitors. The latest insights from the National and International Visitor Surveys for the year ending June 2024 show a promising outlook for tourism in The Whitsundays, with the region achieving a record of 968,000 combined international and domestic visitors — an increase of nearly 14 per cent compared with pre-COVID figures.
Outdoor activities are so much fun on Whitehaven Beach, which is special because the sand is 98.9 per cent pure silica. Typical beaches have sand with around 95 per cent silica. Although silica sand is on most shores globally, it is the quartz sand concentration at Whitehaven Beach that gives it the dazzling white colour. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Tourism Whitsundays Interim CEO Aimee Cameron is optimistic about the growth seen in the region, particularly in international visitation, which was slower to recover.
“We’re thrilled to see The Whitsundays reach a record number of international and domestic visitors, with the growth in international visitors and the rise in domestic overnight expenditure highlighting our region’s enduring appeal,” she said.
“This momentum reinforces our optimism for the outlook in our region.”
International visitation has seen significant growth, with the region welcoming 181,000 guests over the past year. This marks a recovery of 82.3 per cent compared with 2019, showing a resurgence among international travellers eager to explore The Whitsundays. Total international visitor expenditure reached $184.1 million, with average spending per visitor at $1016. International visitors spent an average of 6.4 nights in the region.
On the domestic front, total visitation reached 787,000. Domestic overnight expenditure has risen to $1.4 billion, up 6.7 per cent year-on-year.
Intrastate visitation remains promising, with 501,000 visitors recorded, while interstate visitation is down by 12.5 per cent, suggesting that interstate travellers are opting for international trips instead. Domestic visitors contributed a total of three million nights spent in the region, reinforcing The Whitsundays’ appeal as a holiday destination.
Find more of The Whitsundays by going on short drives and unearthing mainland hidden gems. Within a short drive of Airlie Beach, you will find Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville, each with a wide array of unique and iconic Australian experiences, from crocodile safaris and waterfalls to fresh seafood and ‘’big’’ things.
Cedar Creek Falls is a beautiful, natural amphitheatre of bushland surrounding the crashing water as it tumbles into the pool below, providing a year-round swimming hole. Photo: Supplied.
From the lush, green tropical rainforest of Conway National Park to the swaying canefields of Proserpine and the reds and browns of inland Collinsville, the Whitsunday hinterland is a rich tapestry of colours and cultures.
The vibrant resort town of Airlie Beach, known as The Whitsundays’ Heart of Adventure, is the stepping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, including Hamilton Island and Palm Bay Resort, on Long Island.
North of The Whitsundays is Bowen, within a 45-minute drive of Airlie Beach, situated on a peninsula, with the ocean on three sides. Eight beaches surround the town, including Kings Beach, Queens Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Murrays Bay, Greys Bay, Rose Bay and Front Beach. A 90-minute drive inland from Bowen is Collinsville, a small country town known for its historic mining attractions and traditional country Queensland hospitality.
If going off the beaten track is your thing, check out a couple of hidden gems: the secluded beach townships of Hydeaway Bay and Dingo Beach, within just a 45-minute drive of Airlie Beach.
Delve a little deeper and you discover a hinterland with lush rainforest, walking trails, waterfalls and windswept promontories. Stop at Cedar Creek Falls, a serene sanctuary of pristine natural wonder and tranquillity. Walk the Great Whitsunday Walk, which hugs the skyline through Conway National Park.
Add some of these spots (if not all) to your next Whitsundays adventure!
