Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide

Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770, the Whitsunday Islands is an archipelago of approximately 160 breath-taking tropical islands and atolls off the east coast of Queensland's Airlie Beach. The islands were named by Cook when he passed through around Whit Sunday, the seventh day after Easter Sunday, and was immediately struck by their beauty. Set in the crystal clear azure waters of the Coral Sea in the heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a sailor's paradise and one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions, drawing more than 600,000 visitors annually.

Most tourists tend to stick to the resort areas to enjoy the endless water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing, and relaxing on the sun-drenched beaches, as 70 percent of the region has been declared a national or marine park. The resort islands of Hamilton Daydream, Hayman, South Molle and Lindeman are the most popular destinations with foreign visitors and accommodation is easy to find on these charming islands.

Perfect for a family getaway, a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city, or a romantic honeymoon, the Whitsundays have something for everyone. At the end of a busy day exploring the islands and meeting the marine life off their shores, what could be better than a romantic sunset cruise to round off the perfect day in this small slice of paradise.

Things to do in Whitsunday Islands

This group of roughly 160 beautiful tropical islands lies off the northeastern coast of Queensland and is today one of the greatest tourist attractions in Australia. This aquatic playground lies 95 miles (150km) north of Mackay and 190 miles (300km) south of Townsville, which offer easy access to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Holidaymakers flock to the adjacent mainland and island resorts to enjoy sailing, diving, exploring the reefs, or simply relaxing on thousands of sandy beaches. The main town in the area is the cosmopolitan resort village of Airlie Beach on the mainland, which has a plethora of tour offices offering trips to the Whitsundays.

Hamilton is the largest and most developed of the islands, and often the starting point for Whitsundays adventures, or Great Barrier Reef tours. Whitehaven Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Australia, and arguably the world. The town of Bowen also boasts some remarkable coastline, and the tiny island called Daydream is as lovely as its name suggests.

Scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing are the most popular activities for visitors, but those wanting an extra thrill should look into helicopter or seaplane trips to get spectacular views from the air.

Hamilton Island photo

Hamilton Island

The most developed of the Whitsundays, the privately owned Hamilton Island is also the most populated, boasting some of the most valuable real estate in Australia. When visitors take a look at the breathtaking scenery and views, the value of the land is not surprising! Pristine and unspoilt surroundings, world-class accommodation and five-star dining opportunities make Hamilton Island a great day or overnight trip for visitors to the Whitsundays; the Great Barrier Reef is just a short boat ride away. During peak season, September to January, it can become extremely busy, so if visitors are looking for a quiet retreat from the noisy crowds, they should come another time.

Whitehaven Beach photo

Whitehaven Beach

Whitsunday Island is a popular tourist resort island for both day-trippers and overnight visitors and is the largest and most popular island of the Whitsundays. Most famous for its 2.8 mile (4.5km) stretch of pristine sugary white sandy beach known as Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island's beauty is unrivalled. Featuring what is said to be the purest sand in the world (98 percent silica), the American government considered mining the sand from Whitehaven Beach for military purposes in the 1960s but, thankfully, this never happened and the beach is now protected within the bounds of the national park.

Many boats dock at the beach daily bringing thousands of tourists to explore one of the most famous beaches in the world. Tongue Point features a wooden trail that stretches up to a lookout point over Whitehaven Beach; it's the ideal location for that picture-perfect postcard shot.

Airlie Beach photo

Airlie Beach

The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is a small town in the Whitsunday region and is a fabulous place to soak up all there is in this idyllic part of Australia. With a great variety of activities to enjoy, such as snorkelling, fishing, crocodile safaris and scenic flights over Whitehaven Beach, there's plenty to see and do in this laid-back and picturesque town. Although the vibe is generally relaxed, it becomes simply electric after dark, with holidaymakers lining the streets, beer gardens overflowing and bars and clubs pumping until the wee hours.

Travellers should be aware that the Irukandji jellyfish, which pack a powerful sting, pose a major threat to swimmers during the months of November to May when they abound in the water, but there are safe places to swim, including a medium-sized swimming lagoon on the foreshore that is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer's day.

Australia travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin flat blade plugs are used but are different to those in most other countries, so an adapter is normally required.

Language

English is the official language of Australia.

Money

The unit of currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout the country. Banks and bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Banking hours are generally 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.

Tipping

Most service providers in Sydney don't expect a tip, so travellers shouldn't feel pressured into giving one. A tip of 10 percent is standard in restaurants, however, and passengers usually round up to the nearest dollar or more in taxis.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving within six days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country. No other special immunisations or medications are required for most trips to Australia; however, insect repellents are strongly advised because of the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Another health risk is sunburn, and visitors are advised to take precautions. Medical services are excellent but can be expensive, so travellers should ensure that they have adequate insurance. Australia has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom providing for free hospital emergency medical treatment; proof of UK residence is required.

Safety

The crime rate in Australia is low; however, travellers should be aware that tourists could be targeted by petty criminals. Visitors should be vigilant about personal possessions and travel documents, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as along the Gold Coast. Tropical cyclones normally occur between November and April in some parts of Australia, particularly in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. There is a serious risk of bush fires in summer (November to March), especially in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and ACT. Also during the summer months, the shallow coastal waters of northern Australia and Queensland become infested with marine stingers, commonly known as box jellyfish, whose sting is highly dangerous and can be deadly. Visitors should pay attention to signs on beaches and follow the instructions of local lifeguards to avoid injury.

Local customs

Generally an informal attitude, in dress and behaviour, prevails in most social and business situations. Sport, particularly rugby and cricket, is almost a religion in Australia.

Doing business

Those doing business in Australia are sure to find that the friendly yet professional corporate atmosphere of the country will provide them with an exciting opportunity to develop their careers. The business culture of Australia is a bit of a hybrid breed, incorporating the trappings of British formality and conservatism, the egalitarian ethos of Scandinavian countries, and the dynamic, innovative approach to business that is generally thought of as American in origin - rounded out, of course, with typical Australian warmth and humour. The approach to management in Australia is consultative, pragmatic, and strictly non-hierarchical. Those in positions of relative power are accorded respect by virtue of their personal qualities, not simply because they happen to be the boss.

Business etiquette in Australia further reflects this egalitarian ethos. Business people should use titles initially, though they will almost certainly be told to dispense with them and refer to their colleagues by their first names. They should maintain eye contact when speaking to their associates, as this is regarded as a sign of forthrightness and trustworthiness, qualities that Australian business people tend to favour over showiness, self-aggrandisement or empty promises. Business meetings in Australia should be scheduled about a week in advance, and then confirmed a few days before they are due to take place.

Colleagues should be punctual, as lateness can be seen as a symptom of flakiness or indifference. Business meetings in Australia do not generally proceed from a set agenda. Rather, they are viewed as open forums, in which ideas are to be debated and discussed. In fact, over-preparing for a meeting can make participants seem pushy, as though they wish to bully others into adopting their opinions on the issue at hand. The dress code for business in Australia remains surprisingly traditional: dark suits and ties are the norm for men; for women, business suits, worn either with pants or a skirt. As a general rule, business people should avoid loud jewellery and accessories, as to Australian eyes they might make them seem arrogant. The official language of business in Australia is English, and business hours are generally from 8.30am (or 9am) to 5pm (or 5.30pm), Monday to Friday.

Duty free

Travellers to Australia over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 2.25 litres of alcohol; and 25 cigarettes or 25g of cigars or tobacco products. All tobacco products in travellers' baggage are included in this category, regardless of where they were purchased. Gifts are included in the A$900 duty-free allowance. Fresh produce and animal or plant products are prohibited.

Communications

The international dialling code for Australia is +61. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available; purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option than paying international roaming costs, which can be quite high.

Passport & Visa

A valid passport and a visa or ETA is required for travel to Australia. An ETA is an electronically issued and verified visa, not visible in a passport. ETAs are issued to passengers travelling for touristic or business purposes. Tourist ETAs are usually valid for three months. ETAs are obtainable online at: www.eta.immi.gov.au or through most travel agents. It is highly recommended that passports are valid six months after departure from a holiday destination.

Entry requirements

US nationals must have a valid passport on arrival. A pre-obtained Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

UK nationals must have a passport valid for intended period of stay. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

Canadian nationals require a passport valid for intended period of stay. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays of up to three months.

South African nationals must have a passport valid for at least six months after their date of departure. A visa is required.

Irish nationals must have a passport that is valid on arrival. A pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for stays up to three months.

New Zealanders require a valid passport on entry to Australia. A Special Category Visa (SCV) is issued on arrival after completing a passenger card.

Useful contacts

Australian Tourist Commission, Sydney: +61 (0)2 9360 1111 or www.australia.com

Emergencies: 000 (112 on cellphones)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Embassy of Australia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 797 3000.

Australian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7379 4334.

Australian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 0841.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 6000.

Australian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 664 5300.

Australian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 6411.

Embassies / consulates in Australia

Embassy of the United States, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.

British High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 6666.

Canadian High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 4000.

South African High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6272 7300.

Embassy of Ireland, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6214 0000.

New Zealand High Commission, Canberra: +61 (0)2 6270 4211.