Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands that lie off the coast of Queensland, Australia and form part of the Great Barrier Reef. The islands are one of the most popular Australian tourist destinations. The vast majority of islands are designated national parks and major attractions include access to coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, pristine beaches, especially Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island and clear aquamarine warm waters. They are well connected by two major airports on Hamilton Island and the mainland town of Proserpine. Over half a million visitors come to the Whitsundays each year.

To get in Hamilton Island and Proserpine are the airports that service the region. Boats depart from adjacent to the airport at Hamilton to many of the Whitsunday Island resorts. Alternatively you can get the bus from Proserpine to Shute Harbour, and out to the islands from there. There are agents that will offer and price inclusive of this transfer.

There are buses from Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour as well, and it is a popular stopping off point. Sometimes standby rates for the island resorts are available there.
Hamilton Island is visited occasionally by cruises. Most must tender their passengers to shore, where they have immediate access to a modest selection of rather nice resort shops and restaurants.

Dent Island is west of Hamilton Island and is owned by the same owner as Hamilton under the same lease from the Commonwealth Government. It has been known in the past as Hamilton Island West. Currently mostly uninhabited, Hamilton Island owner Bob Oatley is building a golf course on the island to include a golf club house and villa accommodation.