Your Ultimate Whitsundays Bucket List
Whitsundays, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland 30 June 2022
Continue reading for each of the top Aussie Bucket List experiences that you must see and do when travelling to the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia.
ABOUT THE WHITSUNDAYS
The Whitsundays are the largest group of offshore islands in Australia. They are made up of 74 islands located off the coast of Queensland, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Whether your ideal holiday consists of adventures, relaxation or family time, there really is something for all to enjoy in this idyllic destination.
The islands are mostly uninhabited apart from the main resort islands including Hamilton Island, Intercontinental Hayman Island, Daydream Island Resort and Long Island. Most of the Whitsunday Islands are national parks, which restricts development leaving them very much in their natural state.
LOCATION
The Whitsunday Islands are located off the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, toward the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The inland region of the Whitsunday Coast spans from Bowen in the north, to Proserpine out west and Airlie Beach on the coast.
Whitsunday Islands Map - Tourism Queensland
CLIMATE
The climate in the Whitsundays is considered tropical, with temperatures only varying slightly from month to month. Days are generally warm and balmy, with evenings becoming slightly cooler. During the summer months there is generally higher rainfall than the winter months, with afternoon storms and occasional tropical cyclones.
Winter - June to August with an average daily temperature between 22-23 degrees Celsius (73.4F).
Summer - December to February with an average daily temperature of 29-30 degrees Celsius (86F).
HOW TO GET HERE
There are two main airports in the Whitsunday's, Proserpine Airport located on the mainland and Hamilton Island airport. Both airports have daily flights from Brisbane and Sydney, with Australia's top airlines including Virgin Australia and Jetstar.
To access the Whitsunday's by car, you can drive to Airlie Beach which is the main gateway to the Whitsunday Island's. From Airlie Beach you have many options to take you out to the islands including by ferry, jet-ski, private yacht, sail boat, scenic flight, sea-plane, helicopter... It really all depends on how deep your pockets are.
TOP Aussie BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES
1 - Hill Inlet
Image credit: Tourism Whitsundays
Hill Inlet in the Whitsundays is a stunning inlet located at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. As the tide shifts, the white sand and blue hues of the inlet blend seamlessly to create a breathtaking mosaic. Hill Inlet is best viewed from the lookout at Tongue Point on Whitsunday Island. Most people moor their boats in Tongue Bay, take a dingy ashore and make the short uphill walk to the lookout for breathtaking views. If possible, try to reach the lookout when the tide is low to fully experience the beautiful fusion of colours that emerge. Not all operators visit Hill Inlet and the Tongue Point lookout on a Whitehaven Beach visit, so be sure to check before you book if you'd like to go to the lookout.
There are several ways to experience the beauty of Hill Inlet. Many companies offer day trips to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet by ferry, power boat or luxury yacht. Most overnight sailing trips also stop here. It’s also possible to view Hill Inlet from the air by helicopter or seaplane.
Add Hill Inlet, Whitsundays to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.
2 - Whitehaven Beach
Photo credit: Tourism Whitsundays
Whitehaven Beach is a pristine, award winning beach on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. Whitehaven Beach stretches over seven kilometres and boasts brilliant white silica sand that is among the purest in the world. Sink your feet into the sand and wade into the warm waves that gently lap the shore and you'll soon realise why people come here from all over the world.
At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning inlet where the tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful fusion of colours. Many people claim Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach are the most beautiful places they've ever seen.
The lookout at Tongue Point is the best spot from which to view the swirling sands of Hill Inlet, so if you don't mind a short bushwalk, book your Whitehaven tour with an operator that visits the lookout. We recommend the Whitsunday Bullet with Explore Whitsundays from Airlie Beach, or hire your own private yacht to explore the Whitsundays in your own time.
Whitehaven Beach can be experienced in several ways. If you're interested in a day trip there are ferries, yachts, power boats and luxury cruising yachts that depart from Airlie Beach. A variety of sailing companies also offer multi-day charters that include a memorable visit to Whitehaven Beach.
Add White Haven Beach to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.
Image credit: Tourism Whitsundays
Heart Reef, in the Great Barrier Reef of the Whitsundays, is a stunning composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. Located in Hardy Reef, Heart Reef is best experienced from the air by helicopter or seaplane, as visitors are unable to snorkel or dive there due it's protected status. Many tour companies will combine a scenic flight over Heart Reef with other breathtaking spots in the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. A certain highlight of any visit to the Whitsundays.
Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by one of Air Whitsunday's pilots and is now an internationally-recognised attraction of the Whitsundays and features on many postcards and brochures promoting the Whitsunday region and the Great Barrier Reef. Many an amateur photographer has been amazed by the fact that their own photos look just like the brochures! Heart Reef has been the site of many proposals and declarations of love over the years. If planning on making the ultimate romantic gesture, let your pilot know your plans and they'll be able to help you with some extra flight time over the famous icon.
Add Heart Reef to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.
Cape Hillsborough National Park is one of the most striking and peaceful places on the Central Queensland coast. It's teeming with life and diverse habitats—from rainforest and eucalypts, to mangroves, beaches and rocky headlands. It's a brilliant place to hike, picnic, boat, fish, relax and explore.
You'll need a few days to fully appreciate this magical part of the world so make Smalleys Beach camping area your home-away-from-home—it's just a stone's throw from the beach and walking tracks. Dense rainforest meets the ocean and fine sandy beaches fringe the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Make your way over the intricate stippled patterns created by sand bubbler crabs, and search tidal rock pools for sea creatures. Agile wallabies gather on the beach to search for food at sunrise and sundown. Grab your camera! This is a truly iconic Australian experience that you shouldn't miss.
The Yuibera Aboriginal people lived in this country for many thousands of years before explorer James Cook named Cape Hillsborough in 1770. Visit The Diversity boardwalk and Yuibera plant trail to understand the Yuibera people's connection to this country, and their traditional way of life.
Add Cape Hillsborough to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.
Photo credit: Tourism and Events QLD
Passage Peak is a must-do bucket list walking trail located behind the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island, in the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland. It is recommended the Passage Peak walk is commenced from the Scenic Trail Entrance (ask an island staff member for further information on where this is located). Passage Peak is a spectacular but challenging walk. Once you have negotiated the final steep section of this trail you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Whitsundays from the highest point on Hamilton Island, Passage Peak.
See HERE for more information and to add to your Aussie Bucket List.
6 - The Pioneer Valley
Photo credit: Mackay Region
A wonderland of waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulder formations contrast against a tapestry of sugar cane fields as you head through The Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park. Apart from being one of the richest sugar cane growing areas in Australia, this valley is by far one of the most picturesque in Australia, encompassing many rural townships where warm hospitality and delicious food can be enjoyed.
Small towns to stop in along the way include Marian, Mirani, Pinnacle, Finch Hatton and finally, Eungella. Marian, the gateway to the valley, is home to the region's largest sugar mill. Call into Melba House, an accredited Visitor Information Centre on the banks of the Pioneer River, to discover the house of famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.
Stop in at the popular swimming hole, Platypus Beach, just past Mirani. A trip to Finch Hatton Gorge is a must-do. Walk the well formed tracks to Araluen Cascades and the Wheel of Fire Waterfalls and swim in clear rock pools as water cascades from above. Also available here is zip lining over rainforest canopy and scuba diving in platypus waters. Explore the Pioneer Valley via self-drive or with a guided tour.
See HERE for more information and to add to your Aussie Bucket List profile.
Photo credit: Tourism Whitsundays
Said to be the world's largest living structure and the only one visible from outer space, the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,000 kilometres and is home to tens of thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, coral and other marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles. If diving is your passion, then this is your paradise.
The Great Barrier Reef is a divers Mecca, and the Whitsundays has companies catering for every skill level from student to novice to dive master. If snorkelling is more your style, then the warm shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays provide some of the most colourful fish and coral formations anywhere in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. There are ample opportunities for beginner divers, inexperienced and experienced divers to experience the wonders of the underwater world in the Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays is recognised as having some of the best fishing in Queensland. Charter vessels operating out of Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach and the resort islands offer a variety of trips to the rich waters of the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Add the Great Barrier Reef to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
8 - Murrays Beach, Bowen
Image credit: Tourism Bowen
Located between Horseshoe Bay and Rose Bay, Murray Bay is a beautiful tropical beach complete with coconut trees and fringing reef. Access to the secluded beach is solely down a narrow track or via the Cape Edgecumbe walking trail. It is a great beach for those looking for a quiet, private place to enjoy the tropical climate and impressive island views. With views of the Cape's impressive granite boulders and offshore islands, the outlook is incredible and is also a prime spot for whale watching during Winter. Murray Bay is a favourite for photographers and provides excellent snorkelling, diving and fishing. The beach is pet friendly and perfect for families.
Add Murrays Bay to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
Photo credit: Tourism Bowen
Horseshoe Bay is Bowen's most iconic beach and a favourite for locals and visitors alike, regularly topping best beaches lists. The beach is framed by two granite outcrops which provide a haven for a wonderful range of fish and coral just a short swim from the beach. The bay's fringing reef is a top spot for divers and snorkellers and for a small fee, snorkelling equipment can be hired from the Horseshoe Bay Resort.
New to the bay in 2019, Bywa is an inter-tidal sculpture installed as part of the Whitsunday Reef Recovery and Public Art Project. Bywa was created by artist Brian Robinson and tells the story of reef, creation and marine life. Horseshoe Bay also has an entry point to the Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail, which links the fringing reef beaches of Horseshoe, Murray and Rose Bays. The whole trail will take approximately one hour return, however a short 10 minute hike takes you to the Rotary scenic lookout over Horseshoe Bay. To round off a wonderfully relaxing day exploring the bay, treat yourself to a meal at the fully licenced beachfront cafe.
Add Horseshoe Bay to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
10 - Grays Bay, Bowen
Image credit: Tourism Bowen
One of the most picturesque bays in Queensland is Gray’s Bay - one of the few places on the East Coast where you can watch the sun set over the ocean. It really is a treat, especially when the stand up paddleboarders are silhouetted against the darkening sky. When the tide is in, the water laps less than a metre from the road, and with its azure water, white sand and rocky outcrops, it is truly spectacular.
There’s ample parking, a boat ramp providing easy access to offshore mackerel fishing, free barbecues and a playground situated under big shady trees. Find your perfect spot to sit and enjoy, or bring your SUP, kayak or canoe for coastal adventuring.
Add Grays Bay, Bowen to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
11 - Flagstaff Hill Lookout
Flagstaff Hill offers some of the best coastal views you will ever see with a 360-degree panorama of the whole Bowen region – and you won’t have to walk up a hill! The views encompass the Whitsunday Islands of Gloucester, Middle, Stone, Holbourne and close to shore, North Head Island and it's historic lighthouse. The expanse of Kings Beach is best viewed from the top, stretching to Rose Bay and the pendulous boulder of Mother Beddock Lookout on Cape Edgecumbe. The township of Bowen, rich harbour, marina and jetty lie to the inland, while to the west the Whitsunday hinterland comes alive at sunset with golden hues.
The lookout is an easy short drive from the main business centre via Peter and has ample parking, making it highly accessible for all visitors. Use the binoculars for AUD2 to see even more, from the Whitsundays hinterland and mountains, to Abbot Point and Bowen’s rich farming land, and northern Whitsunday islands. During winter this is an ideal land-based whale watching location.
Add Flagstaff Hill, Bowen to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
12 - Finch Hatton Gorge
Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
Keep an eye out among the rainforest for rare and unusual flora and fauna, such as the rare gastric brooding frog, the orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater. Adventure opportunities are plentiful, with the opportunity to scuba dive in the rainforest waters with platypus, or to zip-line through the tree-top canopy. Accommodation and dining options are available.
Add Finch Hatton Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
13 - The Big Mango
Image credit: Tourism Bowen
The 10-metre high Big Mango represents the delicious fruit which carries the name sake of the town "Bowen Mango". Situated on the A1 Bruce Highway with sweeping views of the Whitsunday coast it’s the perfect pull over during the epic East Coast Australian road trip.
The Big Mango is located at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, 4 kilometres south of Bowen on the Bruce Highway. Stop by the top of the Whitsundays to get your photo with the Big Mango! While you're there - drop into the Information Centre and try some delicious local mango sorbet. Located in the Big Mango grounds you will find public artwork displays from local sculptural artists. There is ample parking space for all size vehicles, the Big Mango is pet friendly and includes a off-lead dog park area.
Add the Big Mango in Bowen to your Aussie Bucket List profile HERE.
ACCOMMODATION
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We hope that you are able to tick the Whitsundays, Queensland off your Aussie Bucket List soon! Feel free to browse our other blog posts for further inspiration on travelling Australia.
Written by Samantha Raine - Aussie Bucket List Founder & Travel Writer
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