Whitsunday Islands Overview
The Whitsunday Island group comprises 74 Tropical islands dotted amongst the Coral Sea and The Great Barrier Reef.
The islands therefore make a perfect base for visiting the reef.
Several of the islands have been developed with holiday resorts and these range from cheep and cheerful, backpacker style to truly palatial, multi award winning, ranking amongst the very best in the world.
The Whitsunday mainland also is a popular holiday location with the thriving town of Airlie Beach (known as the gateway to the Whitsundays) also benefiting from the boom in tourism to the Whitsunday.
Hamilton island
Hamilton Island is the complete Whitsunday Island and one of our personal favourite holiday destinations.
It offers accommodation options ranging from 3 star self catering to palatial 5 star luxury and when the ' 6 star' resort is completed, Hamilton Island will also have the ultra exclusive accommodation market covered too.
The current owners, the Oatley family, (who founded Rosemount Estate wines) are investing heavily in the island and some of the current projects include the Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club and the premium luxury 6 star ‘Qualia’ Resort (both currently under construction).
Many people leave Hamilton Island and start planning their next visit. We can understand why. More...
Daydream island
Daydream Island is a small intimate Whitsunday Island resort located just a few kilometres off the Australian mainland coast from Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Local folklore has it that the island was named in the early 1930's after the yacht 'Daydream'.
The yacht was being skippered by Paddy Lee Murray who was taking his wife and faithful pet dog on a world cruise starting from Sydney. However, when they found what was then West Molle island they saw no reason to sail any further. They negotiated to buy the island and established one of the first tourist resorts in The Whitsunday Islands. More...
Bramton Island
Brampton Island, classified as a National Park Island, is a Whitsunday Island resort located 30 Km north east of Mackay and around 70 Km south east of Airlie Beach in the southern entrance of the Whitsunday passage. Hamilton Island is located some 50km south of Brampton. A relatively small resort (jsut over 100 rooms) is a well established on Brampton and like the other Whitsunday resorts offers a unique holiday experience. There are 12 golden beaches, wealking trails, spectacular views and to top it al, Brampton and The Whitsunday Islands are set amongstl The Great Barrier Reef. More...
Hayman Island
Hayman Island has received numerous international awards and recognitions. For example. Conde Nast Traveler (US and UK) has bestowed several awards on Hayman including 'Top 3 Hotels and Resorts Worldwide'. Forbes Magazine voted Hayman Island as 'World's Best Beach Resort'. The US Travel Channel voted Hayman Island as one of The Worlds 'Top Beach Resorts'. More...
Where To Stay
Please see the following pages to book online Whitsunday accommodation.
Location
The Whitsundays are situated off the Queensland coast, in the heart of the The Great Barrier Reef. They have a tropical latitude of approximately20.0°S and a longitude of 149° E.
Direct Flights
Thjere are direct flights to Hamilton Island by two airlines, Jetstar and Virgin Blue. They operate almost 50 flights a week from the Australian mainland. Transfers to several other of the islands are possible from Hamilton island.
Flights also operate to Prospepine, near Airlie Beach.
An alternative method to reach the island is to take a Fantasea ferry from Shute Harbour on the Australian mainland.
Queensland School & Public Holidays
New Years Day Tue 1st Jan.
Australia Day Mon 28th Jan.
Good Friday 21st March.
Easter Monday 24th March.
Anzac Day Fri 25th April.
Labour Day Mon 5th May.
Queens Birthday Holiday Mon 9th June.
Christmas Day Thu 25th Dec.
Boxing Day Holiday Fri 26th Dec.
(End and start school on preceding and next week day (Mon - Fri) respectively)
School Starts Tue 29th January
Easter Holiday 7th April To 11th April.
Winter Holiday 30th June To 11th July.
Spring Holiday 22nd Sept To 3rd Oct.
Summer Holiday 15th Dec To Jan 21st.
Daylight Saving does not operate in Queensland
Note: Dates for guidance only. Always check with your individual School as variations may occur for individual education authorities or establishments and dates may be subject to change. Always check with relevant State or Territory education department to confirm holiday periods at the commencement of each school year. Not all Public Holidays for individual regions within each state and territory are shown and public holidays falling on weekends are not listed. Not all Public Holidays may be applicable to all employers, organisations etc so always check with your employer, education authority etc which public holidays are applicable.
Climate
The Whitsundays are tropical islands. Their latitudes are approximately 20 deg south, which is north of The Tropic of Capricorn.
Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):25 / 76
Spring(Sep-Nov):29 / 84
Summer(Dec-Feb):31 / 89
Autumn(Mar-May):29 / 84
Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 43
Spring(Sep-Nov): 39
Summer(Dec-Feb): 232
Autumn(Mar-May): 198
