The 10 Coolest Places To Visit Along The Whitsunday Coast

Known primarily for being home to the stunning Whitsunday Islands, this archipelago is just a small fraction of the places to explore on Queensland’s Whitsunday Coast.

Located in northern Queensland, the Whitsunday Coast is home to small outback towns, tropical islands, luxury resorts and backpacker hotspots. If you’re heading to the Whitsunday Coast on an Australian east coast road trip, here are 10 cool places we recommend visiting.

1. Whitehaven Beach

Natural Feature

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands

Whitehaven Beach has been voted Australia’s most beautiful beach on numerous occasions, and it’s easy to see why. Featuring pure white silica sand, and a combination of clear and turquoise waters, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the Caribbean. Located on Whitsunday Island (the largest of the 74 Whitsunday Islands), definitely make time to visit both Tongue Point and Hill Inlet when exploring Whitehaven Beach. It’s easily accessible via a day trip from either Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach has a reputation for being a playground for backpackers visiting Australia. It may be a small town, but it’s brimming with hostels, resorts and restaurants. It is also the best place to base yourself for exploring both the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Take day trips from Airlie Beach to cool places like Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island and Hardy Reef. Combining these attractions with Airlie Beach’s warm tropical year-round temperatures, it’s no wonder this Whitsunday Coast town is one of Australia’s top tourist destinations.

Airlie Beach, QLD, Australia

Hamilton Island

Home to a commercial airport, streets with no cars and luxurious resorts, Hamilton Island is one of the coolest places in the Whitsundays. Things to do on the island include swimming at the numerous public pools or Catseye Beach; hiking (Passage Peak is a popular track); taking to the water with a paddleboard, snorkel or catamaran; seeing the sunset from One Tree Hill; and teeing off at Hamilton Island Golf Club on neighbouring Dent Island. Finish a night on Hamilton Island at one of its exclusive restaurants, like Bommie or Long Pavilion.

Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia

Bowen

Bowen became famous when the Baz Luhrmann movie, Australia, filmed there in 2007. But besides being a Hollywood backdrop, Bowen is home to eight impressive beaches, fringing reef and friendly country hospitality. You can literally walk off the beach and start immediately snorkelling along fringing coral reef in Bowen. For scuba divers, there’s a WWII landing craft lying underwater off Queens Beach, as well as Holbourne and Middle Islands offshore. For impressive Whitsunday Coast views, head to the lookout on Flagstaff Hill.

Bowen, QLD, Australia

2. Heart Reef

Natural Feature

Aerial view of Heart Reef, part of Great Barrier Reef

Discovered by an Air Whitsunday pilot in 1975, Heart Reef is one of the most photographed natural spectacles along the Great Barrier Reef. Naturally formed in the shape of a heart, the best way to see Heart Reef is from the air, via helicopter or seaplane. Because of its protected status, people are unable to snorkel or dive around the Heart Reef. Fortunately, a scenic flight includes views of both the Great Barrier Reef and several of the Whitsunday Islands.

3. Conway National Park

Natural Feature, Park

Aerial shot of Conway Coast at Shute Harbour, Australia

From idyllic islands to biologically significant national parks, the Whitsunday Coast has it all. Conway National Park is home to rainforest, Whitsunday Passage lookouts, bush campgrounds and secluded beaches. There are several walking trails to enjoy throughout Conway National Park, which range from family friendly to multi-day experiences. The most extensive hike is the 28-kilometre (17-mile) Conway Circuit. Invest in some good hiking boots.

Hayman Island

The most northerly Whitsunday Island and the closest to the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island is home to One & Only, a luxurious private resort. The island has everything: the Hayman Spa, an entertainment centre, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, watersport rentals and even a wedding chapel. Spend your time relaxing by one of the two pools, or be adventurous and go snorkelling, diving or hiking.

Hayman Island, QLD, Australia

Collinsville

If you want to experience both the Australian Outback and the Great Barrier Reef in one visit, head to the Whitsunday Coast. Collinsville is a small historic mining town inland from Bowen, with a population of just 1,500. When in Collinsville, go for a walk down the main street to see the Pit Pony bronze statue, several mining-oriented murals and the interactive displays at The Coalface Experience. A visit to an Aussie country town isn’t complete without a pub meal either, so head to the Pit Pony Tavern or Bowen River Hotel and tuck in.

Collinsville, QLD, Australia

4. Hardy Reef

Natural Feature

One of the best things about the Whitsunday Coast is its accessibility to the Great Barrier Reef. Local eco-certified tour operator, Cruise Whitsundays does day trips from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach to its Heart Pontoon on Hardy Reef. Located on the outer Great Barrier Reef, expect to snorkel or dive with a myriad of colourful coral and marine life, including groper, angelfish and unicorn fish. The pontoon is equipped with swimming and snorkelling zones, a sun deck and an underwater observatory.

Daydream Island

Daydream Island is a popular, family-friendly island resort in the Whitsundays. It’s home to three restaurants, five bars, swimming pools, a man-made outdoor aquarium called the Living Reef, and fringing reef just a quick snorkel from the beach. There are watersport rentals, mini golf, a kids club, an outdoor cinema and award-winning spa available at Daydream Island Resort as well. Fortunately, Daydream Island is also one of the closest islands to the mainland – so you don’t have to go far to arrive in paradise.

Daydream Island, QLD, Australia

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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