Overview
Take a trip to Whitsundays on your Australia Vacation
The Whitsunday Islands are a popular tourist destination on Australia vacations off the central coast of Queensland, comprised of a collection of 74 islands spread across the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. Most of the islands are deserted but there are eight that offer accommodation and tourist facilities.
Enhancing any Australia vacation, the Whitsundays also offer great beaches and an intimate atmosphere and can be visited either by taking a cruise or staying at one of the many resorts that dot the islands.
Whitsunday Islands Vacation Highlights
The Whitsundays are named for uninhabited Whitsunday Island, the largest in the group, which is home to the famed Whitehaven Beach. It’s easily reached via the numerous cruise tours that run from the nearby resorts and from Airlie Beach.The most important island to the tourism industry however is Hamilton Island. Despite being the most populated of the Whitsunday Islands, 70% of Hamilton Island is a national park, offering natural beauty and good scenic walks. There is also a quality golf course here.
Hayman Island is the most northern island and is the epitome of a tropical paradise. Activities include everything from bushwalks to excellent diving and snorkeling.
Daydream Island is a haven for wildlife lovers, where it's possible to hand-feed stingrays, sharks, and fish, and where it's not unusual to see dolphins and turtles in the nearby waters.
Long Island (no, not that one!) is closest to the mainland and is a great destination for hikers. Palm Bay is one of its secluded delights, showing off the Whitsundays at their very best.
Airlie Beach is located on the mainland itself and is the jumping-off point for many Whitsunday and Great Barrier Reef excursions. If you'd rather stay in a local community rather than at a resort, while still having the Whitsundays at your fingertips, Airlie Beach is a great option.
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6 Trips Found
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
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Aussie East Coast: Brisbane, Hamilton Island & Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, and BrisbaneExplore Australia's east coast on an independent adventure, from snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and hiking lush rainforests to wildlife encounters and scenic coastal walks.
12 days
From US$4,840/p.p.
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Australia & Tahiti Tropical Island Escape with Air
Moorea, Queensland, Whitsundays, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachAn air-inclusive escape to Australia and French Polynesia, blending vibrant reef adventures, misty blue mountain landscapes, and relaxing lagoon swims, all complemented by warm island hospitality and delicious local flavours.
15 days
From US$6,499/p.p.
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Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,243/p.p.
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Ultimate Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Auckland, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, Victoria, and MelbourneA refined private-guided journey through Australia and New Zealand, pairing coral seas, wild coasts, fine flavours and alpine calm.
16 days
From US$11,679/p.p.
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Australia In Style: Sydney, Rock, Reef & Rainforest
Queensland, Whitsundays, Atherton Tablelands, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachExperience an unforgettable adventure in Australia, exploring Sydney's sights, the captivating Red Centre, and the stunning Great Barrier Reef, all in luxury!
12 days
From US$7,470/p.p.
Request a Quote
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
Request a Quote
Aussie East Coast: Brisbane, Hamilton Island & Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, and BrisbaneExplore Australia's east coast on an independent adventure, from snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and hiking lush rainforests to wildlife encounters and scenic coastal walks.
12 days
From US$4,840/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia & Tahiti Tropical Island Escape with Air
Moorea, Queensland, Whitsundays, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachAn air-inclusive escape to Australia and French Polynesia, blending vibrant reef adventures, misty blue mountain landscapes, and relaxing lagoon swims, all complemented by warm island hospitality and delicious local flavours.
15 days
From US$6,499/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,243/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Auckland, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, Victoria, and MelbourneA refined private-guided journey through Australia and New Zealand, pairing coral seas, wild coasts, fine flavours and alpine calm.
16 days
From US$11,679/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia In Style: Sydney, Rock, Reef & Rainforest
Queensland, Whitsundays, Atherton Tablelands, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachExperience an unforgettable adventure in Australia, exploring Sydney's sights, the captivating Red Centre, and the stunning Great Barrier Reef, all in luxury!
12 days
From US$7,470/p.p.
Request a Quote
What do the experts say?
Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
Whitehaven Island - famous for its white sand b...
Aerial views of the Whitsunday Islands
Humpback whale breaching
Swim-up bar in the tropical Whitsundays
Located 900km north of Brisbane between Bowen a...
Sea plane anchored on Whitehaven Beach
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