The FantaSea catamaran at the Outer Reef

Whitsunday (including Cannonvale and the Whitsunday Islands)
Collection of popular and beautiful islands in the Great Barrier Reef.
Today the words Whitsunday and Whitsunday Islands encompass the large 'town' of Whitsunday (which includes the mainland settlements of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Shute Harbour) and the Whitsunday Islands which include 74 islands off the Central Queensland coast of which the most important are Daydream Island, Dent Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Hook Island, Lindeman Island, Long Island, and South Molle.

If there is a perfect holiday destination on the Queensland coast it is probably the Whitsundays. It is here that the delights of the Great Barrier Reef, the warmth of the tropics, a range of activities from bushwalking to scuba diving, and a diversity of lifestyles from backpackers and takeaways to luxury hotels and international a la carte restaurants, all meet in a wonderfully harmonious combination of delights. No wonder that in 1989 the Whitsunday Tourism Association was proudly boasting that 'the Whitsundays has blossomed into the largest tourism development region in the world with $3 billion being invested here within the next ten years'.

Over the years the Whitsunday Islands (known affectionately as 'The Whitsundays') have loomed large in the imagination of Australians. Everyone has heard the names - South Molle, Lindeman, Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman to which can be added Long Island and Hook Island. These islands are synonymous with paradise. The very words conjure up images of lying in the tropical sun, having a really good holiday, perfect green tropical seas, exquisite tropical sunsets, good food and drink.

To try and disentangle the myth from the reality is no easy task. Like the Gold Coast, the Whitsundays have recently become an amalgam of sleepy little villages and holiday resorts. Created in 1987 as a 'town' it now combines Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket and Shute Harbour. It is rather amusing, when driving towards Cannonvale and Airlie Beach to come across a sign in the middle of the bush which reads 'Welcome to the town of Whitsunday'. The sign is surrounded by nothingness. There is barely a sign of human life let alone the sign of a town.

Geologically the Whitsunday Islands are all drowned mountains. Prior to the last Ice Age they were connected to the mainland and would have all been prominent mountains in the area. The melting of the polar caps drowned the valleys between the mountains creating a network of 74 islands of which only 7 have resort facilities. Beyond the resorts the whole area is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the uninhabited islands are all controlled by National Parks and Wildlife.

It is possible to visit the uninhabited islands by charter boat, private boat of water taxi. However it is necessary to obtain camping permits from the National Parks Office if you are intending to stay the night. Many of the smaller islands have no paths or tracks and exploration is often restricted to walking around the lonely beaches and rocky points. The largest island in the group, Whitsunday, has a walking track which connects Sawmill Bay with Dugong Beach. Sawmill Bay was named after the sawmill which was established on the island at the end of the nineteenth century. For some years there was an active timber industry on the island and it is still possible to see the remains of the sawmill.

The first European to explore the area was Captain James Cook who travelled through the area on his journey up the eastern coast of Australia in 1770. He passed through Whitsunday passage, a narrow channel which lies between the mainland coast, South Molle and Daydream Islands to the west and Dent, Whitsunday, Hook and Hayman Islands to the east, on Sunday 4 June which happened to be Whit Sunday (the seventh Sunday after easter) - hence the name of the area.

Preparing to snorkel at the Outer Reef

Things to see:  

Cannonvale
The road winds through Cannonvale with its residential area and substantial industrial area. There are houses nestled in the foothills. This is a holiday retreat which is close to the main centre of Airlie Beach but far enough away to be slightly removed from the bustle of tourism. There's a lot of development but the views over the mangroves is really lovely. Not surprisingly it has become a popular haunt for locals being slightly removed from the high level tourism of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.

Of particular interest at Cannonvale is the molten volcanic rock at the end of Cannonvale Beach which gives an insight into how the area was geologically created.

The wharf at South Molle Island in the Whitsundays

The Islands
All the main islands are covered individually. For more information click on the appropriate hotlink below.

1. Brampton Island

2. Daydream Island

3. Hamilton Island

4. Hayman Island

5. Lindeman Island

6. Long Island

7. South Long Island

8. South Molle Island

	Tourist Information
	Whitsunday Islands & Coast Tourist Centre Shute Harbour Rd Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 1354, Cannon Valley: (07) 4946 1003 Facsimile: (07) 4946 1214
	Whitsunday Visitors & Convention Bureau 6 The Esplanade Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6673
	Motels
	Airlie Beach Motor Lodge Lamond St Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6418 Rating: ***
	Cannonvale Reef Gateway Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6588 Rating: ***
	Colonial Palms Motor Inn Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7166 Rating: ****
	Coral Point Lodge Harbour Ave Shute Harbour Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9500 Facsimile: (07) 4946 9469 Rating: ***
	Reef Oceana Village Motel Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6137 Rating: **
	The Islands Inn Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6755 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Airlie Beach Hotel /Motel 16 The Esplanade Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6233 Rating: **
	Resorts
	Club Crocodile Resort Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7155, 008 075 151
	Club Med Lindeman Island Lindeman Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9333 Facsimile: (07) 4946 9598
	Coral Sea Resort 25 Ocean View Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6458 Facsimile: (07) 4946 6516 Rating: ***
	Hamilton Island Resort Hamilton Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9999, 1800 221 066 Facsimile: (07) 4946 8888
	Hayman Island Resort Hayman Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9100, 1800 335 855
	Palm Bay Resort Long Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9233
	Whitsunday Terraces Resort Golden Orchid Dve Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6788, 1800 075 062 Facsimile: (07) 4946 7128 Rating: ****
	Whitsunday Wanderers Resort Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6446, 1800 075 069 Rating: ***
	Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9777 Facsimile: (07) 4946 9777
	South Molle Island Resort South Molle Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: 1800 075 080
	Club Crocodile Long Island Resort Long Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9400, 1800 075 125 Facsimile: (07) 4949 9555
	Apartments
	Airlie Apartments 22­24 Airlie Cres. Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6222 Facsimile: (07) 4946 6222 Rating: ***
	Colonial Court Holiday Apartments Cnr Shute Harbour Rd & Broadwater Ave Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6180 Rating: ***
	Orana Lodge Holiday Apartments 13 Beach Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7124 Rating: ***
	Palm Tree Lodge Holiday Apartments 14 Beach Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6461 Rating: ***
	Sunlit Waters Studio Apartments 20 Airlie Cres. Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6352 Facsimile: (07) 4946 6352 Rating: ****
	Whitehaven Beachfront Apartments 285 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 5710 Facsimile: (07) 4946 5711 Rating: ***
	Whitsunday Apartments 48 Beach Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6860 Rating: ***
	Whitsunday Vista Apartments 1 Heritage Dve Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6427, 1800 67 1172 Facsimile: (07) 4946 6087 Rating: ****
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Paradise Court 181 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7139 Facsimile: (07) 4946 7139 Rating: ***
	Roger¹s Flats Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6224 Facsimile: (07) 4946 6087 Rating: ***
	Whitsunday on the Beach 269 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6359 Facsimile: (07) 4946 7995 Rating: ***
	Sailz Boutique Holiday Villas Pandanus Dv, Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 5605, 1800 806 688 Rating: ***
	Lodges & Chalets
	Airlie Beach Motor Lodge Lamond St Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6418, 1800 810 925 Facsimile: (07) 49465 400 Rating: ***
	Boathaven Lodge 440 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6421 Facsimile: (07) 4946 4808 Rating: ***
	Hook Island Wilderness Lodge Hook Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9380, 018 775 142
	Whitsunday Bay Terrace Lodge 12 Bay Tce Shute Harbour Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 49469 609 Facsimile: (07) 49469 609
	Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9777 Facsimile: (07) 4946 9777
	Caravan Parks
	Airlie Cove Resort Van Park Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6727 Rating: ****
	Island Gateway Caravan Park Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6228 Facsimile: (07) 4946 7125 Rating: ***
	Shute Harbour Gardens Caravan Park Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6483 Rating: **
	Whitsunday Wanderers Resort Caravan Park Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6446
	Adventure Whitsunday Resort Caravan Park 25 Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 1166 Facsimile: (07) 4946 1166 Rating: ***
	Flame Tree Tourist Village Shute Harbour Rd Shute Harbour Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9388, 1800 069 388 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Brasserie Restaurant Beach Plaza Bldg (Upstairs) Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7448
	Cannonvale Reef Gateway Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6588
	Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill Cnr Shute Harbour Rd & Coconut Grove Ave Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6250
	Chatz Bar & Brasserie 390 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7223
	Club Med Lindeman Island Lindeman Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9333 Facsimile: (07) 4946 9598
	Hamilton Island Resort Hamilton Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9999, 1800 221 066 Facsimile: (07) 4946 8888
	Hayman Island Resort Hayman Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9100, 1800 335 855
	Hogs Breath Cafe 261 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7894
	Hook Island Wilderness Lodge Hook Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 9380, 018 775 142
	Magnum's Bar & Grill Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6266
	Panache on the Beach 263 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6337
	Post & Rail Steakhouse-Tavern Cnr Shute Harbour Rd & Island Dve Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 7220
	South Molle Island Resort South Molle Island Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: toll free: 1800 075 080
	Whitsunday Palace Chinese Restaurant Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 5233
	Wok Inn Chinese Restaurant The Esplanade Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6713
	Cafés
	Airlie's Fish Cafe 25 Ocean View Ave Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 6877
	Capuccinos Cafe Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach Whitsunday QLD 4802 Telephone: (07) 4946 5033