About Whitsunday Islands

• Getting there and getting around
• Park features
• Camping and accommodation
• Things to do
• Things to know before you go
• Staying safe
• Looking after the park
• Park management
• Tourism information links
• Further information

Getting there and getting around

Whitsunday Islands National Park protects 32 islands, including Whitsunday Island with its world-renowned Whitehaven Beach, Black, Hook and Langford islands. The park is readily accessible by private or commercial boat from Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour, east of Proserpine in central Queensland.

Access is by private or commercial boat from Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour. Some commercial transfer companies drop off and collect campers. See tourism information links and arrange your passage before booking your campsite.

If travelling by private vessel, getting to the park can present navigational challenges. Always take the weather and tidal influences into account when boating in the Whitsundays. Ensure you read Planning your trip to the Whitsundays and Getting there and getting around the Whitsundays before your departure.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities at Whitsunday Islands National Park.

Park features

Dotting the scenic aquamarine waters, these hilly islands were formed when changing sea levels drowned a mainland mountain range. The Whitsunday reefs have outstanding coral cover and variety.

The Ngaro Aboriginal people, one of the earliest recorded indigenous groups in Australia, were seen by Captain James Cook while exploring the Whitsunday Passage. The Ngaro people lived throughout the island chain known as the Whitsunday and the nearby mainland for thousands of years. Rock art and middens at Hook Island’s Nara Inlet provide a record of their special way of life.

Whitsunday Island supports a population of unadorned rock-wallabies. From May to September the Whitsundays are an important calving ground for migrating humpback whales.

Whitsunday Island’s Whitehaven Beach is world-renowned for its pure white silica sand and crystal-clear water. The reefs contain an outstanding variety of corals. The islands and surrounding waters are protected by the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

• Learn more about the nature, culture and history of the Whitsundays.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Most of the Whitsunday islands are national parks and great places for camping. Choose from a range of camping opportunities, depending on your needs.

Facilities vary, but if present are limited to toilets and/or picnic tables. Campers must be self-sufficient. Remember to take fresh water, a fuel stove for cooking and insect repellent. Open fires and generators are not permitted. Remove all rubbish to the mainland.

Visitor numbers are limited to ensure a quality experience. You will need to book your site and purchase your permit in advance. Display your camping permit tag prominently on your tent—there are fines for camping without it.

Camp at sheltered sites in Cid Harbour: Dugong, Nari’s Beach and Joe’s Beach. Other sites on Whitsunday Island include the popular Whitehaven Beach and Peter Bay. Small camping areas on Hook Island including Maureen’s Cove, Crayfish, Steens and Curlew beaches all offer great snorkelling from shore. Northern Spit on Henning Island is accessible at all tides and popular with kayakers to break their journey.

• Book your campsite online. 
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for further options. 
• Learn more about camping in Whitsunday Islands National Park.
• Learn more about camping at other island national parks in the Whitsundays.
• View the Whitsundays visitor facilities and activity summary (PDF, 386K)*.

Things to do

• Walking 
• Guided tours and talks
• Picnic and day-use areas
• Boating and fishing
• Swimming and snorkelling
• Viewing wildlife

Walking

Whitsunday Islands National Park has many walking tracks that vary from short and easy to longer and more difficult. Take the opportunity to explore these rugged, densely vegetated islands. All the walks on Whitsunday Island are part of the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail.

• Learn more about the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail.

Whitsunday Island

• Whitsunday Cairn, Dugong-Sawmill and Whitsunday Peak track maps (PDF, 145K)*.
• Tongue Point, Chance Bay and Solway Circuit track maps (PDF, 158K)*.

Solway circuit—1.2 km return (40 minutes) Grade: Moderate

Starting from Whitehaven Beach, this one-way circuit winds its way uphill to a natural rock platform—giving spectacular views over Solway Passage and surrounding islands. Trackside information gives walkers an insight into Whitehaven’s slowly changing landscape. 

Chance Bay—7.2 km return (at least 2.5–3 hours) Grade: Moderate

Escape the sun and follow this track through some of Whitsunday Island’s more secluded forests to the peaceful Chance Bay. This enjoyable walk branches off Solway circuit.

Hill Inlet lookout—1.3 km return (40 minutes) Grade: Easy to moderate

Take an uphill stroll to twin lookouts for spectacular vistas over Hill Inlet’s turquoise waters and white sweeping sands—a highly significant area to the Ngaro people.

Lookout Beach—500 m return (20 minutes) Grade: Easy to moderate

Branch off the Hill Inlet lookout track and head downhill to the ivory white sands of Lookout Beach. Situated at the mouth of Hill Inlet you can enjoy the sunshine or rest in the shade.

Dugong–Sawmill Track—3 km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy to moderate

Wind your way beneath towering hoop pines and shady rainforest. Closer to Dugong Beach, stands of giant rainforest trees and solitaire palms create a fairytale world populated by moss, lichens and fungi. The track starts from either Dugong or Sawmill beach. From Sawmill Beach, you will need to cross Sawmill Creek to reach the track—be prepared to get wet if the tide is high.

Whitsunday Peak—5 km return (4 hours) Grade: Difficult

Stand at the top of the island and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Whitsundays. Accessed from Sawmill Beach in Cid Harbour, the Whitsunday Peak track offers a great getaway from the busy beaches. Climb through diverse vegetation, from rainforest gullies to windblown heaths, and be rewarded with spectacular vistas on the ‘roof of the Whitsundays’.

Walk safely: Remember, this track is steep and physically demanding—please consider your fitness and walking experience carefully before setting out.

Whitsunday Cairn—4 km return (at least 3 hours) Grade: Difficult

Steep and challenging, the track to Whitsunday Cairn leads off Cairn Beach, the most northern beach on Whitsunday Island. A demanding ascent takes you through hoop pines and dry rainforest. Stick carefully to the ridge line as you walk through drier open woodland where giant grasstrees dominate. Emerge onto a wind-exposed rock outcrop below the towering Whitsunday Cairn for breathtaking views.

Walk safely: There is no defined track. Triangular track markers intermittently mark the way. This walk is for fit and experienced walkers only.

Hook Island

Ngaro Cultural Site—340 m return (20 minutes) Grade: Moderate

The Ngaro people have walked this land for over 9000 years. Protected from the elements in a once-hidden cave, Ngaro artwork adorns the fragile rock surface. The track begins deep inside Nara Inlet—an excellent overnight anchorage. Short and initially steep, the stepped track leads up the side of the inlet to a viewing platform at the cave’s entrance. Allow at least an hour to immerse yourself in the stories of the site.

When walking:

• keep to the track. The islands are rugged and densely vegetated—they are not places to explore off-track. Also, new tracks erode easily, damaging the landscape, and run-off carries disturbed soil to the sea where it smothers the reef with sediment
• respect sign directions. Access to some areas is restricted and some walking tracks may be closed due to maintenance, fires, cyclone damage, or other safety reasons. Signs are there for your safety
• wear suitable footwear. Sturdy boots or shoes will ensure you have a safe and comfortable walk
• avoid stinging trees. Their heart-shaped leaves have fine hairs, which can be extremely painful if touched
• take water and wear a hat and sunscreen. 

Guided tours and talks

Many commercial operators offer tours to sites throughout Whitsunday Islands National Park. See tourism information links for more information.

Picnic and day-use areas

Some of the islands offer picnic areas, most near a beach. Facilities vary, but may include picnic tables and toilets. For a complete list check the Whitsunday visitor facilities and activities summary (PDF, 386K)*. Open fires and ash-producing stoves are not permitted on national park islands or intertidal lands adjacent to national park islands. Use gas or fuel stoves for cooking.

Boating and fishing

This area has been described as a boating paradise with deep blue waters, tropical weather and secluded islands to explore.

These waters are internationally significant and protected in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Marine park zones surrounding the islands provide a balanced approach to protecting the reef while allowing some recreation and commercial use. Zones include both intertidal areas and the sea. Some activities, like fishing or collecting, are not permitted in some zones and penalties apply.

• Obtain and consult your marine park zoning map for the Whitsundays.  Maps are also available from DERM offices and many bait and tackle outlets.
• Fishing is not permitted in Marine National Park (green) zones. These zones include, but are not limited to, Whitehaven Beach, Denman Island, Armit Island, and northern Hook Island bays.
• Whitsunday Islands National Park is within a Public Appreciation Area. Identified by a pink dotted line on zoning maps, spearfishing is prohibited in Conservation Park (yellow) zones within a Public Appreciation Area.
• Go slow when boating. Turtles often bask at the water surface and can be struck by boats. The increasing number of high-speed vessels operating in reef waters increases the likelihood of such collisions. Some locations have speed restrictions imposed to help protect nesting seabirds—see Take care of nesting seabirds.
• Report marine strandings. If you find a sick or dead turtle, dugong, dolphin or whale please contact us and report it.
• Don’t collect coral or shells. Keeping a memento of your visit to the Whitsundays can involve taking an animal’s home, or worse, taking an animal away from its neighbourhood. Limited collecting is allowed in some areas. Generally, not more than five of any one species can be taken at a time and no coral or clams (alive or dead) can be taken without a permit. Refer to your marine park zoning map for further information.
• Remember—everything is protected in a national park. 

Swimming and snorkelling

Snorkelling over the reef flat at high tide can be rewarding, though the water is usually clearer at the northern sides of the outer islands. Beware of strong currents and changing tidal conditions.

Scuba divers have greater opportunities to explore coral bommies, crevices and caves along the reef perimeter and slope. Consider wearing diving boots to protect your feet, as you may have to walk across coral rubble to the water. A boat is the only safe way to reach distant snorkelling and diving sites.

Take care in the water

• Wear suitable footwear. Protect your feet from sharp shells, broken coral and beach rock.
• Treat coral cuts with disinfectant. Even small scratches can become infected.
• Protect against dangerous marine stingers. Stingers (dangerous stinging jellyfish) are prevalent from October to May, although they may be present all year round. Wear suitable protective clothing and carry lots of vinegar. Check www.marinestingers.com.au for the latest safety advice.
• Look but don’t touch! Some marine organisms, such as cone shells, blue-ringed octopus and stonefish deliver painful and potentially fatal stings if handled.
• Never dive or snorkel alone. Be very careful of tides and currents.
• Beware of estuarine crocodiles. They inhabit mainland estuaries but may be present in island waters. Be croc-wise.   

Take care on the reef

When on the reef observe the following guidelines to minimise damage to corals and other animals.

• Walk in sand channels and avoid stepping on live corals. They are easily damaged and will cause nasty cuts.
• Try not to stir up sand and sediment. Murky waters stress the plants and animals.
• If you turn over any reef material always return it to its original position. Many animals and plants shelter on the undersides of boulders and bommies, and will soon die if exposed.
• Be careful with your fins. Careless kicking can damage coral.

Viewing wildlife

You can spend a few idyllic hours or a week exploring this beautiful park. Birds are plentiful, particularly from October to March when thousands of waders migrate here to nest. Some boating restrictions apply during this period—see Take care of nesting seabirds. Look out for sooty oystercatchers, white-faced herons and reef egrets on the shoreline and around rocks. You might also see brahminy kites and white-bellied sea-eagles soaring above or perched high in the tree tops.

Walk along beaches and walking tracks to see local animals. As the tide recedes, oysters and snails seal their shells and worms retire to their burrows. Rock crabs dart for the nearest crevices as the shadow of a soaring brahminy kite skirts the rugged shoreline. Inevitably, some crabs are surprised and fall prey to these handsome chestnut and white birds.

• Learn more about the nature, culture and history of the Whitsundays. 

Things to know before you go

Ensure you read Things to know before you go to national parks of the Whitsundays.

Staying safe

Parts of the islands can be isolated. To enjoy a safe visit, read more about staying safe in national parks of the Whitsundays.

Be prepared for emergencies

• Carry emergency food, water, AM/FM radio, spare batteries and medical supplies—particularly an iodine-based antiseptic for cuts (though be sure no-one in your group is allergic to iodine). First aid training is desirable.
• Mobile phones are useful but not reliable.
• Monitor weather forecasts and radio messages about changing weather conditions.
• Leave your itinerary with a reliable friend or family member and keep them informed.

Communication

Mobile phones are unreliable on the islands. Satellite phones are best and a marine VHF radio is very useful. In emergencies you can contact other vessels in the vicinity on VHF marine channel 16 (emergency channel) or VHF channel 81.

The Whitsundays receive good broadcast radio reception and weather forecasts are available on most channels hourly. Weather forecasts are also available from the Bureau of Meteorology or by calling 1300 360 426.

Evacuation procedures

The Whitsundays lie within the Queensland tropical storm (cyclone) zone. In the event of a cyclone or tsunami, DERM has developed a contingency plan and will work with camper transfer companies and local authorities to try to inform campers of impending cyclones, tsunamis and possible evacuation.

Looking after the park

Please read looking after national park islands in the Whitsundays.

Park management

Read about managing national parks of the Whitsundays.

Tourism information links

Read Tourism information links for national parks of the Whitsundays.

Further information

Contact us

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Last updated 11 May 2012

Whitsunday Islands National Park

• About Whitsunday Islands
• Camping information
• Nature, culture and history of the Whitsundays
• Frequently asked questions