Explore the region
Stretching from the lively shores of Airlie Beach to the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays region is a world of barefoot luxury and unspoiled beauty waiting to be explored.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is the vibrant heart of the Whitsundays — a laid-back tropical town where rainforest meets reef and every day feels like a holiday. Wander the palm-lined main street and discover boutique shops, lively cafés, and oceanfront restaurants overlooking the Coral Sea. Cool off in the famous Airlie Lagoon or stroll the Bicentennial Walkway for stunning views of the marina and islands.
For those craving adventure, Airlie is the launch point for sailing trips, snorkelling and diving tours, and scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef. Inland, lush waterfalls and the trails of Conway National Park invite exploration, while evenings bring a relaxed coastal buzz of live music and sunset cocktails. Whether you’re here to unwind, explore, or set sail, Airlie Beach is the perfect beginning to your Whitsundays escape.
Where to stay
CLOSEST TO THE MARINA
Airlie Beach Hotel
Just a short stroll from Port of Airlie, the Airlie Beach Hotel offers comfortable rooms, ocean views, and unbeatable convenience. Surrounded by restaurants, bars, and boutique shops, it’s the ideal choice for guests who want to stay close to the marina and right in the vibrant heart of town.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
BIG4 Adventure Resort
Perfect for guests travelling with children, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort features spacious cabins, tropical gardens, and endless family-friendly activities including a waterslide park, mini golf, and playgrounds. It’s just a short drive to the marina, making it a fun and convenient choice.
PREMIUM GUEST EXPERIENCE
Yangaro Resort
For those seeking a more luxurious stay, Yangaro Resort at Shingley Beach offers designer apartments with private balconies and stunning marina or ocean views. Blending elegancewith the relaxed Whitsundays lifestyle, it’s the perfect way to begin or end your sailing holiday in style.
The Great Barrier Reef
Stretching 2,300 kilometres along Australia’s northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef – the Whitsundays gateway – is the world’s largest coral reef system and one of its greatest natural wonders. From Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, you can access pristine sections of reef — a living mosaic of coral gardens, marine life, and clear blue lagoons.
Explore fringing reefs close to shore, perfect for snorkelling and first-time divers, or venture to the outer reef where coral walls drop into deep blue and visibility often exceeds 20 metres. Encounter clownfish, turtles, reef sharks, and even humpback whales. Just beyond lies Whitehaven Beach — seven kilometres of pure silica sand and turquoise shallows. Many tours combine reef and beach for one unforgettable Whitsundays adventure you’ll carry with you forever.
Whitehaven Beach
Consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven Beach is the crown jewel of the Whitsundays. Stretching seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island, it’s renowned for its pure white silica sand—so fine it feels like soft powder and never gets too hot to walk on. The turquoise shallows create a mesmerising blend of colours, especially at Hill Inlet, where shifting tides swirl sand and sea into breathtaking patterns best viewed from the lookout above.
Accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, Whitehaven remains pristine and peaceful. Visitors can swim in crystal-clear waters, stroll through shaded trails to hidden bays, or simply unwind on the shore. Whether visiting for a few tranquil hours or as part of a sailing journey, Whitehaven Beach captures the very essence of natural paradise.
Hill Inlet
Often called the Whitsundays’ most photographed view, Hill Inlet lies at the northern tip of world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Here, pure white silica sand swirls with turquoise water, creating a shifting masterpiece of colour and light that looks painted from above. A short scenic bushwalk from Tongue Bay leads to the Hill Inlet Lookout, where sweeping views reveal the inlet in all its glory. The patterns change with every tide and season, making each visit unique.
Beyond its beauty, Hill Inlet teems with marine life—rays, small reef sharks, and tropical fish glide through the shallows. Whether you’re gazing from the lookout or wading along its luminous shoreline, Hill Inlet is a moment of pure Whitsundays magic and an unforgettable highlight of any journey through this extraordinary region.