Whitsunday Passage

Whitsunday Passage is made up of the northernmost islands of the Whitsundays. Most of them are uninhabited, although a few parks and accommodations have been built for tourism purposes. Whitsunday Passage is easily accessible from most of the coastal suburbs. The Whitsundays were named by Captain James Cook after discovering them in 1770. "Whit Sunday" was a religious holiday celebrated on the day of the discovery.

The Whitsundays is a collection of 74 islands off the coast of Mackay, Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach and Proserpine. The Whitsunday Passage is made up of sun drenched islands and turquoise seas - immersed mountain peaks surrounded by fringing reef and coral systems. Most of the islands are uninhabited national parks and only a handful have resort facilities - Hamilton, Daydream, Hayman, Great Keppel, Long, Orpheus and Dunk. Whitsunday Island is the largest of the group with camping areas but no resort.

Brampton Island is 8 square kilometres of mountainous island, only 32km from Mackay harbour. It is a national park and wildlife sanctuary with lush forests, palm trees and fine white beaches. The island is surrounded by coral reefs.

Hamilton Island: Characterised by high-rise hotels, Hamilton Island has an international airport and is the most heavily developed island in the Whitsundays. It has a range of entertainment including parasailing, scuba diving, cruising and helicopter joy flights. There are squash courts, shops, nine restaurants, take-away's and a supermarket. All the resort facilities can be used by day trippers.

Daydream Island: The closest island resort to Shute Harbour, it has a very good swimming pool and mainly caters for families. Day trippers are allowed and can use all the non-powered water activities and tennis courts.

Hayman Island: There are no day-trippers on Hayman Island as it is a very exclusive and upmarket resort. It is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands and has many facilities and activities available.

Whitsunday Island: There is no resort on this island, however it is the largest of the Whitsunday group. Whitehaven Beach, 6 kilometres long, is on the south-east coast and is the longest and finest beach imaginable. There are National Parks camping areas at Whitehaven Beach and some good snorkelling sites at its southern end.

Long Island: 8km from Shute Harbour and 43 kilometres from Proserpine. Long Island offers excellent walking tracks through the rainforest for great views of the surrounding islands. There is over 2000 acres of National Park and palm fringed beaches.

Orpheus Island: Covered with lush green palms and sandy bays. This unspoilt wilderness is softened by the graceful curve of seven beaches of soft white sand and a dark green centre of National Park.

Great Keppel Island: This island is only a short boat ride away from the Great Barrier Reef, with spectacular marine life and 28 kilometres of pure white sand. This island is perfect for all ages and is one of the Whitsundays most beautiful destinations.

Dunk Island: A tropical island with lush rainforests. It is a tropical island with a real working dairy farm and an artists colony. Its a place of contrast, where getting back to nature is so simple.

The idyllic, tropical destination at the top of the Whitsundays has unsurpassed, unspoilt coral reefs and secluded beaches for miles and miles, as far as the eye can see. Your adventures will be amidst the most scenically beautiful, uninhabited islands found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. A unique journey that will stay with you for the rest of your life! Enjoy sailing the amazing blue waters, looking out for the whales, dolphins and turtles, visit stunning islands, catch fish and BBQ it for dinner, snorkel the stunning fringing reefs or lay back and relax at one of the Whitsunday resorts. The choice is yours, whatever your budget or needs we have something to suit you.

If you are looking for the perfect holiday, whether you want a romantic getaway or a family holiday full of fun and sun, then the Whitsunday Passage is the right place to come to. You will have everything at your fingertips and you will never want to leave. So call one of our friendly staff today to discuss booking your next venture to the Whitsundays Island Resorts.