WHITSUNDAY COAST © Lonelyplanetpublications and Criesof‘Can Icometoo?’.You’Ve Chosenwisely

WHITSUNDAY COAST © LonelyPlanetPublications and criesof‘Can Icometoo?’.You’ve chosenwisely. isruggedandlargelyand Cape Hillsborough untamed. Valley andEungella NationalPark offer coolrespite, stunningsceneryandcute platypuses; more? a pulse. Andyet,thearea isnotallabouttheWhitsundayIslandsthemselves. What,there’s at AirlieBeach. warms youonatropicalisland.Anticipate thethrobbingnightlife andinternational cuisine reefs amongcountlesstropicalfish.Feel thecoolbreeze danceover asthe sun yourskin the dazzlingwhite sandofWhitehaven Beach.Think amidpristinecoral aboutsnorkelling Go on,sayitoutloud.Don’tbeembarrassed.Whitsundays. Feels gooddoesn’tit? Just thevery wordWhitsundays conjures holiday. imagesofeveryone’s ideaoftheperfect Coast Whitsunday 396 Tell someoneyou’re headingtotheWhitsundayCoastandprepare forajealousresponse isathrivingregionalMackay andplentyofsoul;thePioneer citywithareal heartbeat The Whitsundays isnotatalloverhyped. Ifyoucan’tenjoy yourselfhere, youdon’thave Now closeyoureyesandimagine yourselfislandhoppingaboard aluxuryyacht.Picture

HIGHLIGHTS

TELEPHONECODE: 07 Hooking up withothertravellers andplan- Hooking Sharingthe beachatduskwiththelocal Waitingpatientlyforaglimpseofshy Glidingontopofthebright-blue oceanon Beingdazzledbythebright-white silicon Airlie Beach ning acruisetripover abeeratfunlovin’ Hillsborough NationalPark atruggedlybeautiful kangaroos at inthemistyrainforestplatypus andwalking the spotona cruisetosecludedsnorkelling sand atstunning Eungella NationalPark Great Barrier Reef (p410) Whitehaven Beach ( p407) www. queenslandholidays.com.au /whitsundays/index.cfm (p404) ( p406) Cape Cape (p420) Eungella National Park Beach Airlie www.whitsunday.com Cape Hillsborough

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Develop 77

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and 397 WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST Bruce Hwy; handicrafts andassists with information. eral store/service station, aSurf Life station, Saving eral store/service villagecoastal boastsalongbeach, agen- On theshores of Sarina Inlet,thislaid-back Sarina Beach turtles. marine ing andspottingwildlife such as nesting portunities forrelaxing, fishing, beachcomb- mangrove-lined inletsprovide excellentop- where theclean,uncrowdedbeaches and number of low-key beachside settlements, A shortdrive eastfrom Sarinathere are a AROUND SARINA the railway crossing. the humblebuildingonyourleft,justbefore Clermont inthecentre of townandlookfor for decades.Tofindit,take theturn-off to tucker totruckiesandcanefarmers served 4-10am Sat) 1990; 11CentralSt;mains$4-6; with adifference, headtothe units.Foradiningexperienceand bright $80/95; Motel and afruit-and-vegetable shop. The boasts acoupleof pubsand cafés,abakery (which town)and becomesBroadStthrough Centre. Craft by. It’snexttotheSarinaTouristArt& some interesting exhibitsfromtimesgone child $4/3; tippleat mentary the distillery. in Australia. After thetourenjoyacompli- sugar-processing millanddistilleryof itskind 9.30am, 10.30am,noon&2pm) Sq;adult/child/concession$15/7.50/12; .au; Railway Sugar Shed Centre &Craft Art Tourist sugar millandethanoldistillery.The cane farmsandhometoCSR’sPlaneCreek centre for thesurroundingsugar-is aservice In the foothills of Sarina theConnors Range, % SARINA SARINA TOPROSERPINE relevant towns and cities. the theregion. see passing through Fordetails 398 Take atourof aminisugarmillat The towncentre straddlestheBruceHwy There’s asmall 07 /pop3290 AIAT RSRIE • aia SARINA TOPROSERPINE••Sarina

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Peak Downs Peak Pioneer River Sydney Sttakes youacrossForgan Bridge to Park (72km) To EungellaNational

Bruce North Coast Railway Coast North Mackay RegionalBotanical Sails SportsBar...... (see12) Eimeo PacificHotel...... Simon's WokInn...... Lighthouse...... Blacks BeachBakehouse...... Angelo's ontheMarina...... Ocean ResortVillage...... Dolphin HeadsResort...... Clarion HotelMackayMarina...... Central TouristPark...... Bucasia BeachfrontCaravanPark... Blue PacificResort...... Gardens...... Mackay Marina...... Mackay VisitorsCentre...... DRINKING EATING SLEEPING SIGHTS &ACTIVITIES INFORMATION

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) ) WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST fully licensed andthere’sfully licensed afree courtesy bus a mouth-watering Mediterranean menu.It’s withanextensivesetting, range of and pasta large, lively restaurant marina inadelightful St; mains$17-23,steaks$21-39; only locals know about. Let’s just say, you’ll justsay, only localsknowabout. Let’s good food justkeeps cominguntil you’ve banquet (perperson $35)andthegenuinely toperfectionclose asyoucanget. Try the out here. Thecrispyskincoraltroutisas be rewarded to get ifyoumake theeffort dinner) 0601; PhillipsSt,MtPleasant;mains$18-30; it for you. and chicken dishesif cooked do cowdoesn’t there’scourse, theusualassortmentof seafood towashitdown.Of beer ing withcolddraught fillyourplatebeef inagenuine pubsurround- at theAustral.Huge plates of primeAussie won’t get abetter cutof meatin Mackay than group and enjoy. for partiesof sixormore people,sojoin a mains$16-30; Marina; Dr,Mackay Mulherin Angelo’s ontheMarina RESTAURANTS Eating checkout ina spa suite. 30-minute massage, hotbreakfast andnoon includes sparklingwineandchocolates, a should trythePamper Package ($395),which of ahotel of internationalCouples standing. balconies andallthemod-consyou’dexpect why. Allroomshave spaciousshowers and ing marinaprecinct andit’snothardtosee Clarion isthedarlingof therapidlydevelop- Harbour;d$175-330; Dr, Mackay Mulherin 386 386,49559400;www.mackaymarinahotel.com; and balconywith panoramic vistas. suite ($280to$350)withitshuge plasmaTV outandtrythespa modern amenities.Lash withitsstylish décorand disappoint doesn’t to thetopendof thescaleincitycentre ais 9Gregory St;r$170,ste$235; .mackaygrandmercure.com.au; Grand Mercure TOP END the town centre. can beforgiven asit’sonlyashort strollinto it misleadingalthough City’s nameisslightly location besidetheriver promenade,theMid 402 Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina Marina Mackay Hotel Clarion o Austral Hotel Austral AIAT RSRIE • aky SARINA TOPROSERPINE••Mackay We’llletyouinonalittlesecret that ; wi-fi) Simon’s WokInn Mackay’s longawaited addition

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Mp p400; (Map Mp p400; (Map

Mp p400; (Map breakfast &lunch) Mp p400; (Map Mp p400; (Map

h Mp p400; (Map % % 7am-10pm Tue-Sat, to9.30pm poffertjes % % 4955 5022, takeaway 4955 4955 5022,takeaway % % % 4955 5022; Mulherin Dr, 4955 5022;Mulherin TocallNelson’s h 4957 2241; cnr Victoria 4957 2241;cnrVictoria 4944 0203;70Wood 4957 7464;15Wood 4944 0173;cnrSydney 4951 2611; 85 Victoria 4951 2611;85Victoria % Alwaysbusy, 10am-7.30pm Mon, 4953 5453;cnr (authentic h 6am- at Mackay Brisbaneand onitswaybetween .com.au; cnr Victoria & Macalister Sts; &Macalister .com.au; cnrVictoria several several major centres. to withservices withflightsconnecting To/from Brisbane to/from Brisbane and to/from Brisbane Sydney. and Brisbane ($164, and Brisbane 16 hours). Bay($128,11hours) hampton ($60,4½hours),Hervey Townsville ($81,6½hours),Cairns($139,13Rock- fares andjourneytimesare: AirlieBeach($33,twohours), adult Travels upanddownthecoast.Sampleone-way and flightsbetweenMackay .com.au) Direct Melbourne. and most daysbetweenMackay Brisbane. t unwind. to Sts, thePlatinumLounge isagoodplace floor above thecornerof VictoriaandWood St; Platinum Lounge Entertainment lonelyplanet.com parts at7.25am onMonday, Wednesdayand Thespeedy Townsville/Cairns. .traveltrain.com.au) Queensland Rail TRAIN Premier Greyhound also be booked. stopatTravelworld,Buses where tickets can BUS Blue Virgin Tiger Airways Qantas Jetstar Mackay. of The airportisabout 3kmsouthof thecentre AIR can helpwith transport connections. to 4pmSat) Travelworld Located busstation, atthelong-distance Getting There&Away Centre Entertainment Mackay BC Cinemas 2255; GordonSt;boxoffice Bibn ($120). Brisbane ($37)and Airlie Beach($21),Cairns($103),Rockhampton asGreyhound. Samplefares are: but notasmanyservices lts flicks. latest adult/child $14.50/10.50)Thiscomplexscreens allthe phone theboxofficetofindout what’s on. 1pm Sat)Thecity’smainvenueforliveperformances; h Cinema andtheatre options: 7pm-3am Wed-Sat,5pm-2amSun) ( ( ( % % % handlesair,busandtraintickets and (Map (Map p400 ; ( ( 13 1538;www.jetstar.com.au) Flights 13 13 13; www.qantas.com.au) Direct flights 13 13;www.qantas.com.au) Direct

% Mp p400; (Map % 13 3410;www.premierms.com.au) Cheaper ( % 13 1499;www.greyhound.com.au) 13 6789;www.virginblue.com.au) has several services stopping services hasseveral

SARINATOPROSERPINE••AroundMackay Mp p400; (Map ( 03-9335 3033;www.tigerairways % % 13 2232,130017 22; www % h 4957 3515;30GordonSt; 4944 2144;roseh@mkytworld 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am- 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, % (Map (Map p400 ; h 4944 1877; 83 Victoria 4944 1877;83Victoria 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, Tilt Train Tilt Onthe1st % 4957 de- Mackay TransitCoaches Mackay Resort of cake. Foraccommodation try hearty piesandthen rounditalloff withslice fast &lunch) Shop 2,BlacksBeachRd, Blacks Beach;meals$3-10; at youcangrabaquick lunchthrough, orcoffee coastforaday.Ifyouare justpassing Sea so stretch legsandclaimapieceof those Coral accommodation. small residential communities withholiday of of aseries headlandsandbayssheltering The coastlinenorthof Mackay ismadeup Mackay’s NorthernBeaches AROUND MACKAY accommodation inMackay for $10. .con-x-ion.com) to thecitycentre. ortheairport from eitherthetrainstation ( call St andNeboRd.Forataxi, over anywhere alongtheroute onGordon Signalforthedrivertourist sights. topull onSunday,runningtoallthemajor service there isroomforittopullover. There’s afree a busanywhere alongtheroute aslong many signposted busstops,butyoucanhail Shopping andthere Centre Canelands are one of thevisitors centres. Routes beginfrom from northern beaches; pickupatimetable connecting thecitywithharbourand aroundthecity,andalso services has several ( ( Avis Getting Around berth/Queenslander. sitting/economy Brisbane (17hours) are $151/209/615in class. Adultfares Mackay between and class berthandtheluxuriousQueenslander sitting, economyberth,1st- classes: several Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday.There are departs Mackay at11.10pmonMonday, 5.35am onThursday. Brisbane-bound, it onSundayandTuesday ing toCairns adult business class. to Brisbane($222,13hours). Fares shown are on Sunday,WednesdayandFridayheading via Townsville($92,5½hours), and8.25pm ($162,12hours) Friday, headingtoCairns % % % The Blacks BeachBakehouse At ( 13 08) 4951 3334) 4952 6269;www.europcar.com.au) % Blacks Beach

Mp p399; (Map Sunlander 4951 1266) and tuckintoone of thehuge rollsor . Count on about $15 for a taxi . Countonabout$15forataxi operates an airport service toyour operates anairportservice have counters attheairport. , % Budget thebeach extends for6km, departsat2.10amhead- Con-X-ion 1800 808386, 49549090;www Mp p400; (Map

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% Mp p399; (Map ( % 4951 1400) 1300 308718;www % % and Mackay Taxis Mackay Blue Pacific 4957 3330) , 4969 5222; Europcar h Hertz 403 break-

WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST hearty, inexpensive counter meals. You’llbe refurbishedbeen andhasspotlessrooms has self-catering facilitiesin has self-catering all rooms. play onlocalhistory,andhasinternet access trains anymore butithasaninteresting dis- climbs suddenly and steeply, with several in- climbs suddenly andsteeply, withseveral ofing thevalley.The lastsection thisroad Eungella, village aquaint mountain overlook- try here.hospitality on thereceiving endof somegood,oldcoun- ( Thefriendly ($2 perhalf-hour). historic is thepretty townshipof National Park, and1.5kmpasttheturn-off forFinchoff Hatton Gorge, partof Eungella steam-belching sugar mill. to linkupwiththeoccasionalsmalltownor follows theriver vastfieldsof through cane Downs Hwyabout 10km westof Mackay and Mackay–Eungella Rd,branches thePeak off route toEungella NationalPark ( right ), the entire The valley floorisplanted withthestuff. planted here in1867,and todayalmostthe along theroadside. Thefirst sugarcanewas loaded canetrainsbusilyworktheirway yournostrilsand sugar canewaftsthrough Valley.Pioneer smellof Theunmistakable way tothelushgreenness of thebeautiful Travelling west,Mackay’s urbansprawlgives Pioneer Valley on the beach. bathroom $80-90; caravan sites$29-33,cabinswithoutbathroom$65,with % there. all thewaybacktomainroadget up and DolphinHeads, butyouhave tohead for a beer. views.It’sagreat placenificent CoralSea Eimeo) Eimeo Pacific Hotel units overlook anattractive (but rocky) bay. 170; BeachRd,DolphinHeads;d$150- .dolphinheadsresort.com.au; Heads Resort Heads $145-170, 1-/2-bedroomunits$165/185; St,BlacksBeach;studios 26Bourke .bluepacificresort.com.au; 404 % At the north end of Blacks Beach is At thenorthendof Blacks Beach Bucasia North of DolphinHeads is About 27kmwestof Miraniistheturn- From Finch Hatton, it’sanother 18kmto 4954 6375;www.bucasiabeach.com.au;2TheEsplanade; as 4958 3252;9EungellaRd;s/d$35/45;mains$7-18) AIAT RSRIE • uglaNtoa ak SARINA TOPROSERPINE••EungellaNationalPark , where atthefour-star youcanstay crowns aheadlandcommandingmag- Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort Bucasia BeachfrontCaravan train station is across Sunset Bay fromEimeo Bay isacrossSunset ). The 80 comfortable motel-style motel-style The80comfortable

(Map p399; (Map s Mp p399; (Map

) has en-suite cabins right hasen-suite cabinsright

% ( h 1800 075088,49549666;www 10am-3pm) % Finch Hatton 4954 6105; Mango Ave,4954 6105;Mango Eimeo as Criterion Hotel Criterion doesn’t see see doesn’t , where the Mp p399; (Map

, which Dolphin ) . The Dolphin Dolphin has

packs apunch today.Thechalet isperched on charming that itcanget coldatnight up here. the quaintheaters intheroomsare areminder looklike they’re ontheirlastlegsand the TVs visited). Upstairs roomsare cleanandsimple: and thecloudshadhijacked theviewswhenwe day, we’re told,are amazing(itwasdrizzling the edge of andtheviewsonaclear amountain s d with/withoutbathroom$72/50,1-/2-bedroomcabins$88/109; Chalet and an ATM. park andthere’s akioskwithgroceries,snacks to shuttleguestsbushwalksinthenational Prices are fortwopeople. Theownerishappy ontheedgeship, right of theescarpment. friendly parklocated justnorthof thetown- ered/powered sites$20/22,cabins$85-120) ple of accommodationand eating options. 4520) Valley.Pioneer There’s a ‘land of clouds’)sitsperched ontheedge of the Pretty little Eungella ( Eungella ity isatits peakfromMay toAugust,when the remain patientlysilentand still. Platypusactiv- diately after dawnandbefore dark;youmust themare thehoursThe besttimestosee imme- aplatypusortwointheBrokenof River. seeing and nowboastseveral unique species. other rainforest areas of forthousands years tropical vegetation have isolated from been Gorge. Thelarge tractsof tropicalandsub- tracks aroundBroken River andFinch Hatton largely inaccessible,exceptfor thewalking parkis at MtDalrymple. Themountainous km of climbingto1280m theClarke Range, west of Mackay, andcovers nearly500sq Stunning Eungella NationalPark is84km EUNGELLA NATIONALPARK wholesome. and bread. It’s small,uncomplicated, unfussed orlentilvegetable with‘lavish’salad casserole cooked dishlike Weinerschnitzel andpotato esque littlebalconyandenjoyadecenthome- Rd; lightmeals$4-10; van uphere is not recommended. credibly sharpcorners –towingalarge cara- Most daysof theyearyoucanbepretty sure It’s worthstoppinginforlunch atthe In itsheyday,therambling,old HolidayPark Eungella ) withsnacks,groceriesandfuel,acou- would have anditstill quite asight been

( % 4958 4509; fax 4958 4503; s without bathroom $38, 4958 4509;fax4503;swithoutbathroom$38, Hideaway Café Hideaway h 9am-4pm) young (

% ( General Store General % . Sitonthepictur- 4958 4533; Broken River River 4958 4533;Broken 4958 4590;unpow- -gluh, meaning lonelyplanet.com isasmall, Eungella Eungella (

% 4958 4501; perperson/family$4.50/18) large self-contained lodge uptosix. sleeping large self-contained ins rangingfromsmallmotel-style unitstoa tive. cedarcab- Accommodationcomprises is prolific.There are someexcellentwalking builtnearthebridge,has been andbirdlife brilliant platypuses, azure kingfishers. snapping turtlesand,flittingabove thefeeding life you’re sure are tosee thelarge northern ration forgestating theiryoung.Otherriver females are fattening themselves upinprepa- lonelyplanet.com with itstumbling waterfalls and swimming trail leadsfromthe picnicarea to afterimpassable heavy rain.A1.6kmwalking creek crossingsthat canbecome with several from themainroad are roads onunsealed Hatton Gorge. Thelast2kmof the10kmdrive town of Finch Hatton, toFinch istheturn-off About 27kmwestof Mirani,justbefore the Finch HattonGorge Bring an appetite. priced winelist.Themealsare good. seriously andchickenseafood dishes,andamoderately (mains $18.50-28.50) and thefriendly There’s alarge guests’lounge withanopenfire $105-160; Retreat information centre and kiosk. The campinggroundisabout 500mpastthe cent totheriver where play. theplatypuses withtheshadysitesto camp,though, adja- before decidingtodrive here. It’salovely place access wasprohibited. CheckwiththeQPWS furbishment atthetimeof writingandvehicle staffed. rarely information office, which is(unfortunately) and Eungella; mapsare available fromthe theBrokentrails between River picnicground south of Eungella. A near thebridge over theBroken River, 5km h There’s a River Broken who wanttolinger (see p401 ). Mackay andwilldropoffpickupthose Jungle Johno Tours bothrundaytripsfrom Hatton, butReeforest Adventure Tours and There are to Eungella orFinch nobuses Getting There&Away If youforgot thetent, Ground Fern FlatCamping 8am-4pm)

( as % QPWS informationoffice , picnicarea and 4958 4528;www.brokenrivermr.com.au; d ) is avery alterna- comfortable with a good selection of withagoodselection steak, SARINATOPROSERPINE••CumberlandIslands Platypus Lodge Restaurant &Bar Platypus LodgeRestaurant platypus-viewing platform platypus-viewing wasundergoing re- Broken River Mountain River Broken

( % kiosk 4958 4552;fax (

( h % Araluen Falls 10am-5pm) 4958 4552;

.forestflying.com; $45). rides charter most otherislands aboator seaplane, If youhave to yourownboat,orcanafford Other Cumberland Islands the resort whenbooking accommodation. launch fromMackay are organised through age orwaitfor stand-by rates. much cheaper ifyoubookafive-night pack- as wellbeach barbecues.Pricesare often and lunch andascrumptiousàlacarte dinner breakfast abuffet Bluewater serves Restaurant roomsare thestandard but even classy.The The premium ocean-views are stunning, rates youget increase thecloser totheocean. on theviewandfacilitiesand,naturally, ais 4499; www.brampton-island.com;s$275-620,d$300-650; under12)arepecially those not catered for. It’s definitely notapartyisland,andkids(es- wantingarelaxedthose islandexperience. popular withcouples,honeymooners and peace andsolitude. It’saclassyresort that’s there are noday-trippers tointerrupt the Brampton Islandproudlyannouncesthat Brampton Island CUMBERLAND ISLANDS ground. picnic able totake uptheroadtonational-park made. Picnicandbarbecuepacksare avail- other flavours), piesandlemonade–allhome- excellent icecreams (deliciousmangoplus work onthepropertyor nearby farm. accommodation inexchange forfourhours tions, WWOOFers get three mealsadayand there are nolonger anydormorcampingop- all thecabins,andlinenisprovided. Although There’s awonderfulviewof theforest from travelling withyoungkidsoragroup. uptofive,sleep which isperfect ifyou’re person$20; hattongorgecabins.com.au; d$95,extra Cabins Finch HattonGorge road to the gorge. on acablewith rainforest here thecanopy istoglidethrough hole. swimming WheelofFire Falls holes, andafurther1kmhike takes youtothe Island transfers byeitherhelicopter or Brampton IslandResort The friendly The followingplacesare signposted onthe The comfortable self-contained cabinsat self-contained The comfortable A funandinformative waytoexplore the ) hasfourgradesof roomdepending Gorge Kiosk Gorge , another cascade with a deep , anothercascadewithadeep Forest Flying Forest

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WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST ing ground hugging theforeshoreing groundhugging andjump- and others canbemadeonlineatwww.epa islands that make upthisstunning archipelago Whitsundays. But where togo? There are 74 Everyone dreams of a holiday inthe WHITSUNDAYS AREA the resort enjoyingthe cool breezes. sea kind of way.Wallabies andlizardsroamaround foreshore steal theshowinarustic,run-down modation, butthebeach onthe huts($95)right There’s ahuge arrayof cabinandmotel accom- you mayfindyourself checking your pulse. powered sites$20/25,d$60-115; unpowered/ MS895Mackay; .capehillsboroughresort.com.au; ground. camping atthe ing withkangaroos.Self-register/pay family $4.50/18) atidal leading outthrough mangrove forest. shore area there’s alsoan interesting boardwalk walking tracks.Ontheapproach tothefore- bygood stone fish-traps,which canbeaccessed also theremains of Aboriginal middensand andearlymorning.Therein theevening are park; theroosare onthebeach likely tobeseen sugar gliders andturtlesare commoninthe pines andrainforest. Kangaroos, wallabies, dunes,mangroves,rocky headlands,sand hoop of Mackay, abroadbeach, features cliffs, rough atlowtide. Thepark,58kmnorth a causeway Point andWedge Island,which are joinedby andAndrews Hillsborough, Cape 300m-high earth. Ruggedly beautiful,ittakes intherocky, parkfeels likecoastal it’sattheendof the Despite beingsoeasytoget to,thissmall CAPE HILLSBOROUGHNATIONALPARK region.com; 320 Nebo Rd). the charter boat,which canbeorganised through Scawfel andGoldsmithIslandsare reached by or bychartering aboatatBramptonresort. spitatlowtide Brampton Islandviathesand &WoodSts;per cnr River person/family $4.50/18) .qld.gov.au orattheMackay mits for parks. national Smith Grouptothenorthare alsobeautiful in theCumberlandGroupandSirJames 406 Carlisle IslandcanbereachedCarlisle from Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort Nature Hillsborough Cape Smalleys BeachCampground Camp-site availability,Camp-site bookingsandper- Mackay visitors centre visitorscentre Mackay HTUDY RA • retto nomto WHITSUNDAYS &Information ••Orientation AREA Carlisle is asmall,pretty, camp- grassed , Scawfell ( % and is 4952 2677;www.mackay QPWS Goldsmith

( %

(sites perperson/ is so low-key, issolow-key, ) ( 4959 0152;www %

. 4944 7800;

Islands

Marina about 1.5kmwestof Airlie Beach. companiesberthatAbelsome cruise Point island ferries, whilemostof theyachts and and Airlie, istheportformostday-tripcruises operators. Shute Harbour, about 10kmeastof commodation options,travel agents andtour Whitsundays, withabewilderingarrayof ac- isthemainlandcentre forthe Airlie Beach Orientation &Information a magicalpartof the world. dens beckonfromyourdoorstep. Itreally is waters, palm-fringed beaches andcoralgar- theturquoise yourself, from which tobase backpackers tofive andAirlieBeach star, of islandresorts, theday.Withseveral from or beenergetic, dependingonyourmood are theperfectSea, placestorelax andunwind topsjuttingoutfromtheCoralmountain types. energetic South MolleandLongIslandswillsatisfy to all.Daydream Islandissmallbutfun,while while busy,bustlingHamilton Islandcaters Island. Families willlove LindemanIsland Island totheexclusive luxuryatHayman whim fromthebasicaccommodationatHook you decidetogo,it’llbe worth it. be confusing.Thetruthis,nomatter where and choosing where tospendyourtimecan camping and natural history. resorts, and features fishing, ondiving, sailing, the islandsaswell as articlesontheislandsand with descriptionsof allboatanchorages around anexhaustiveIt contains collection of charts times referred toasthebibleWhitsundays. Whitsunday Islands 100 Magic Miles of the Great Reef–The Barrier MAPS &BOOKS entry to Proserpine. tourism.com) Centre independently. islands visit ifyouare interested inexploringthe of topics.Thisshouldbeyourfirst placeto a goodsourceof informationonawiderange are verythe islands,anditsstaff helpful and This office dealswithcampingpermitsfor ontheroadtoShute Harbour.Airlie Beach Rds; & Mandalay QPWS The Whitsundaydistrictofficeof the The islands,which are really thetipsof There budget isanislandforevery and The official The official

( % ( % isontheBruceHwyatsouthern 4946 7022;fax7023;cnrShuteHarbour 4945 3711,1800801252;www.whitsunday h Tourism WhitsundaysInformation Tourism 9am-5pm Mon-Fri) byDavid Colfelt issome- lonelyplanet.com is3kmpast 4.15pm (adult/child/concession/family $135/50/125/300). Shute Harbourat8.45amandreturn about Cruises depart and SundaysheheadsforaWhitehavenBeach picnic cruise. Hayman Island’sBluePearl onThursday Bayforsnorkelling; and Saturdayshevisits on Monday,Wednesday,Friday she leadsamore sedateexistenceanddoestwodaytrips: yachtracein1979.Nowadays, the famousSydneytoHobart www.soxsail.com.au; 4TheEsplanade, AirlieBeach)South- .com.au; AbelPoint Marina) .yachtcharters.com.au; AbelPoint .yachtcharters.com.au; Marina) .rentayacht.com.au; Trinity Jetty, Shute Jetty, .rentayacht.com.au; Trinity Harbour) Activities and Sunmap’s Whitsunday Passage Travelog lonelyplanet.com Southern CrossSailing Adventures Apollo Maxi Ragamuffin Action Maxi Sailing Oz Adventure readers: by tourssailing thathave recommended been The followingare someof thenumerous AYachtWhitsunday Rent www.whitsundayescape.com; AbelPoint Marina) Whitsunday Escape Sunsail Queensland Yacht Charters .ccy.com.au; AbelPoint Marina) Yachts Charter Cumberland Yachts Australia Charter following: the including companies aroundAirlieBeach, what thefollowingcompanieshave on offer. Read theboxed text ( p408 ) before checking out ship, orcharter ayacht andskipperityourself. overnight touronaracingmaxiorgracefultall chorages. Here joinan youcanlearntosail, waters and numerous safe andpicturesque an- The Whitsundays are of aparadise protected SAILING .maxiaction.com) .maxiaction.com) Hamilton Island Marina) at 4pmonWednesdayand Sundayfor$460 per person. returning at9.30amonMondayandFriday, Bay departing cruisetoWhitehaven BeachandBluePearlday, two-night winner,the Another SydneytoHobart from $460 per person. start packages two-night if youcatchthebug. Three-day, and foursail-and-diveboats. There’s alsoasailingschool has arangeofvesselsincludingthree tallships,fourracers ing.com.au; ShuteHarbourRd,AirlieBeach)Thiscompany Two of thebestmapstothisregion are the There are anumber of bareboat charter ( % Great Reef Barrier ( 1800 803988;www.sunsail.com.au; % Ragamuffin 1800 635 334; Abel Point Marina) 1800 635334;AbelPointMarina) Australia’s Whitsundays WHITSUNDAYS ••Activities AREA ( % ( % maponthereverse side, 1800 075145,49465222; ( wasalinehonourswinnerin ( ( % % 1800 359554;www.ozsail % ( ( % % 1800 639520;www.cya 1800 454777;www 1800 075111;www map,which has a 1800 075013;www 1800 075101;www Apollo ( % doesathree- 1800 675 790; 1800 675790; . .com.au) day, two-night packages start from$429 start packages day, two-night per person. Three- combine theracingyachtandtallshipexperience. aboard themagnificenttallship as ern Crossrunsadventure sailing cruisesonracingyachtssuch .reefdive.com.au; 16CommerceClose, Cannonvale) Point Marina) .tropicaldiving.com.au) by OzAdventure Sailing. .whitsundaysailtraining.com; 277ShuteHarbourRd)Run most convenient way to see theislands.Theremost convenient waytosee It canbe confusing figuringoutthebestand Tours $80/90 for a double. dayand kayak costs$50/60forahalf-/one able forbeginners. Kayak rental forasingle ering about 15kmto20kmperdaythat’ssuit- and abrilliantsix-dayexpedition($1500) cov- $70/125. There are alsoovernight trips($365) toursHalf-/full-day fromShute Harbour cost Kayaking Salty DogSea the bestwaystoexperienceWhitsundays. dolphins and turtlesascompanyisoneof Paddling of serenely insearch anisland with KAYAKING and free snorkelling gear. land resorts alsohave theirowndive schools companies,mostofApart fromthese theis- Tropical Diving &Sail Dive Reef TimeDive oceandives at several start around $500. offer dive courses; open-water courses with companiesalso reef withtheislands.These trips forcertifieddivers, which combinethe dive companiesoffer agoodrange of diving you wake upatyourdive site. Thefollowing Dive boatsshouldleave sothat intheevening such asBlack,KnuckleandElizabeth Reefs. is ontheactual Great atplaces Reef, Barrier The ultimate divingexperiencetobehadhere Whitsunday SailingClub Academy Whitsunday Marine each with courses: several schools, sailing ofa selection AirlieBeach Should thisbeyourcalling,thefollowingare most popularplacestolearnhowsail. The Whitsundaysisalsooneof the bestand DIVING DIVING Siska and offers guidedtours andkayak rental. ( Southern Cross, % 4948 1211;www.divetime.com.au;Abel ( ( % % 1800 776150,49481029; www 1800 075120,49466508;www as well as more sedate cruises aswellmore sedatecruises

( ( % % Solway Lass 4946 1388;www.saltydog 4946 6138;AirliePoint) ( % 4948 2350;www . You can also . Youcanalso

407 WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST no means all)of the daytripson offer and ally payhalffare. Followingare some(by diving asanoptional extra. Children gener- snorkelling orboom netting,withscuba the tourthatwill suit you. appeals, thenit’sjustamatter of huntingdown forests of afew of theWhitsunday Islands or layingonthebeach orexploringtherain- different islandsonadaytrip.Ifsnorkelling faster towhiskthem several catamarans andthereforemoney tosail mustrely onthe hasthetimeor Noteveryone difficult. are somany operators, betoo butitneedn’t 408 Most daytripsinclude activitiessuch as sure toletothersknowwhere youare toreturn. going,withwhomandwhenyouexpect know on10mofboat,several fromshore, kilometres before findyourselfthere. youactually Be could belife affirmingorlife threatening. Think aboutyourself stuckwithsomeoneyoudon’t hitchingarideincar,theexperience oratthemarinaandyacht club.Justlike backpackers A thirdoptionistocrew aprivate vessel byresponding to‘Crew Wanted’ noticespasted upin Crewing longer cruisesare possible,asare daytours,sailingcoursesandeven oceanracing. Boat IndustryAssociation) onthebrochure. isthree The daysandtwonights,but usualpackage serious safety concerns. Lookoutforthetickofapproval fromtheWCBIA(WhitsundayCharter companies, everything down,unsanitaryconditions, even fromlengthydelays,boatsbreaking Price canbeavery goodindication;wegetstacksofletters complainingabout thecheaper throughtheglossybrochures, thestand-byratesbe hardworksorting andthewordofmouth. These tours,whichsupplyprofessional crew andcatering, are alltherageinAirlieBeach.Itcan Sailing Tours check thatthelatest editionofDavidColfelt’s Bareboat OperatorsAssociation, aself-regulatory standards. bodythatguarantees Also certain ifthecompanyyouchoosebelongstoWhitsunday asking four tosixpassengers. It’sworth sleep high season(September, DecemberandJanuary)forayachtthatwillcomfortably October, if youwish.Mostcompanieshave aminimumhire periodoffive days. the boatisreturned undamaged.Beddingisusuallysuppliedandprovisions canalsobeprovided ofboat),payableonarrivalandrefunded aftertween $1000and$2000(dependingonthekind for thefirstday. an hourlyrate. atleast Ifyoulackexperience,it’sagoodideatohire anexperiencedskipper forditional tutoringforaround$200perday,oritmaybenecessaryyoutohire askipper which timeyourownabilitieswillbeassessed.Ifnecessaryyoumayrequired topayforad- day youshouldreceive aroundfourhoursofbriefingandfamiliarisationwiththeyacht,during that atleastonepersoninyourgroupisfullycompetent in operatingthevessel. Onthefirst you don’trequire formalqualificationstohire ayacht,youwillneedtoprove tothecompany crewyou wearonboard;itsimplymeansrent orprovisions. theboatwithoutskipper, While These have become enormouslypopularintheWhitsundays. ‘Bareboat’ doesn’treferBareboat towhat Charters SAILING THEWHITSUNDAYS a copyofthe HTUDY RA • or WHITSUNDAYS ••Tours AREA There’s awiderangeofyachtsandcruisersavailable. You’llpay$500to$800adayinthe The operatorsusuallyrequire depositof$500to$750andasecuritybondbe- abooking Public MooringsandAnchoring leafletfromQPWS. 100 MagicMiles Cruise Whitsundays Big Fury agents in Airlie Beach: bookings canbemadeatanyof thetour opportunities. for Reef on theGreat Barrier snorkelling spectacular Lagoon speeds outtoapontoon moored atKnuckleReef catamaran that sundays operatesahuge wave-piercing one oftheWhitsundays’ largestoperators. CruiseWhit- Thisis whitsundays.com; ShingleyDr,AbelPointMarina) ling atasecluded reef nearby. boatfollowedbylunchandthensnorkel- open-air sports 35 passengersthatspeedsouttoWhitehaven Beach onan family $110/55/310)Smalloperatorwithamaximum of ( % isstowedonboard,andpickup 4948 2201; Abel Point Marina; adult/child/ 4948 2201;AbelPointMarina; ( % 4946 4662;www.cruise lonelyplanet.com camping grounds on several islands for both islandsforboth camping groundsonseveral includes snorkelling includes snorkelling and lunch. Bay; (about three hours),followedbyavisittoMantaray allows youtospendthemosttimeonWhitehavenBeach adult/child/family$130/65/350)Thistour raycharters.com; and Hamilton (adult/child/family $80/44/227). Three IslandDiscoveryCruisethatvisitsLong,Daydream utilisingFantasea,at oneoftheislandresorts aswella from $400.There optionsforspending aday are several costs child/family $197/92/476).Anovernight‘Reefsleep’ and checkouttheunderwaterviewingchamber(adult/ in asemisubmersible atrip take where youcansnorkel, Reef, pontoonontheGreat Barrier cruises toitsReefworld offers anumberofoptions. Ahigh-speedcatamaran tor inAirlieBeach,andtheoperatorofislandferries, Thelargesttouropera- Shute HarbourRd,JubileePocket) Fantasea Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels cruise boat; thebookingagencies inAirlie cruise on all islands. also have afuel stove; woodfires are banned you get stuck.Youshould extra supplyincase of water perperson perday,plusthree days’ andare totake 5L advised be self-sufficient, formation onwhattotake anddo. Youmust the varioussites, andprovides in- detailed Camping inthe Whitsundays, get from topickupyourpermit/tag the office. Ifyoubookonlinedon’tfor-family) pernight. QPWS officeandcost$4.50perperson ($18per over theinternet andfromtheWhitsunday permits are mercial trips.Camping available independent campers aswellgroupsoncom- QPWS CAMPING fares, transfers, accommodation and meals. of discounted package dealsthatcombine air Most travel agents canputtogether arange rates, buthardlyanyonepaysthese. standard The rates are quoted inthissection the RESORTS Sleeping a publicbusto Shute Harbour. Youcantake andCannonvale. Airlie Beach from Shute Harbour docoach pick-upsfrom Most of operators thecruise thatoperate Voyager 3IslandCruise Charters Mantaray haven Beach, and checking out haven Beach,andchecking Daydream Island. at HookIsland,beachcombingandswimmingWhite- $130/65) Agood-valuedaycruisethatincludessnorkelling There’s anationalparksleaflet, Get toyourisland byBlueFerryGet oraday-

(www.epa.qld.gov.au) ( % 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au; 11 ( % ( 1800 816365;www.manta manages national-park manages national-park % 4946 5255;adult/child WHITSUNDAYS ••Proserpine AREA which describes Island Virgin Blue Virgin .com.au) by other capitals fromBrisbaneaswell assome and isserviced and surroundingregion, isall you’ll need. source of informationabout theWhitsundays Bruce Hwy; tourism.com.au; Information Centre just southof townatthehelpful and theWhitsundays..Aquickstop Beach town, which pointforAirlie istheturn-off reason tolinger inthisindustrialsugar-mill fort tospruceupitsimage, butthere’s stillno name toWhitsundayCoast,nodoubtinanef- airportdecidedonchangingProserpine its % PROSERPINE and Beach Shute Harbour. Abel Cannonvale, Proserpine, Point,Airlie Whitsunday Transit detour offtheBruceHwytoAirlieBeach. Premier Greyhound BUS individual islandsfor transfer details. to theislandsfromShute Harbour; the see Harbour Rd,JubileePocket) Fantasea BOAT airstrip. own LindemanIslandalsohasitsfor details. andhelicopter; see plane, seaplane p414 from themainlandtoislandsbylight hasregular flights airport, nearAirlieBeach, (see Proserpine below ). TheWhitsunday are atHamilton Island(see p419 ) andThe two mainairports fortheWhitsundays AIR Getting There&Around gear. snorkelling both operationscanhelpwithprovisions and Islands and HookIsland($150). Island ($99);Whitehaven ($120); Beach ($40 return); WhitsundayIslandorHenning or SouthMolle,PlantonDenmanIslands Shute Harbour andcandropyouatNorth Connections camping specialistsuch as anisland- willbeable toassist.Oruse Beach Proserpine Airport is14kmsouthofProserpine town 07 /pop3250

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4946 9330) ( 13 3410;www.premierms.com.au) % 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au; 11Shute

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( 13 13;www.qantas.com.au) % Jetstar Jetstar

hassimilarprices,and ( provides ferry transfers % 1800 801252;www.whitsunday h , which leaves from 4946 1800) ( % 10am-6pm) Camping Whitsunday Camping 13 1538;www.jetstar Island Camping Island Camping connects , themain Whitsunday buses buses

and and 409 WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST tour agencies, allable toanswer querieson The maindragis stacked withprivately run Information yachts, isabout 1.5km west. Point Marina, hometomanyof thecruising depart from,isabout 12kmeast,andAbel Rd. Shute Harbour, where theisland ferries liesalongShuteNearly everything Harbour moment. the hangover.row andthesubsequent Live for mindaboutNever thenext boattriptomor- partying. It’s nowtimetodosomeserious ofin search food,drinkandeach other. and chips, orsteak and seafood. Harbour Rdholdinghands,undecidedonfish in hand.Couplesof allages strollalongShute along thelagoonwithobligatoryicecream Families are getting the kidsready forawalk swish restaurant over achilled bottleof wine. ellers preparing start foraslap-upmealat they’ve metontheboatthatday.Oldertrav- andmakebeer planstohookupwithpeople the afternoon’s snorkelling tripover ajugof in onpartytimenow.Youngtravellers discuss the boatsaroundlate afternoon. It’sclosing ber whentheday-trippers tofilter off start depending onhermoodat the time. manages lazyandenergetic todriftbetween about atthelagoonandit’s eat, sipcoffee, make bookingsorlaze cruise time, peoplemeanderthestreets toshop, finally catch Duringthis uponsomesleep. boats leave inthemorning,lettingtown plore theWhitsundayIslands.Thecruise blame them really. makers fromallcorners of theglobe. Can’t accent inearshot, Airliebristleswithholiday- you step ontothestreets. Barely anAustralian hums withenergy. You’ll noticeitassoon positively For such asmalltown,AirlieBeach % AIRLIE BEACH train station it’s $8.20/15.20. from theairportcosts$15/28,and Oneway/return toAirlieBeach. Proserpine runningdailyfrom scheduled busservices trains, 410 Orientation In addition to meeting allplanesandIn additiontomeeting By nightfall, peopleareBy nightfall, roamingthestreets Airlie Beach thenawakens fromherslum- Airlie Beach fromwhich toex- isthebase Airlie itself 07 /pop6770 HTUDY RA • ileBah WHITSUNDAYS ••AirlieBeach AREA Whitsunday Transit

( % then thatthetown 4946 1800) hassix Harbour Rd)Stocksinterstateandoverseas newspapers. Harbour Rd) Tourist Harbour Rd)Tourist information. cheapest we found. ers means swimming in the sea isn’t advisable isn’tadvisable ers meansswimminginthesea swimming, butthepresence of marinesting- are andCannonvale OKfor at AirlieBeach Thebeaches wanting toworkontheirtan. an attractive, popularpublicspaceforthose provides year-round safe swimmingandis The gorgeous lagoononAirlie’sforeshore SWIMMING &WATER SPORTS around theislands,see p407 . divingandkayaking onsailing, For details Activities What?How?Whitsundays Where? Post office Centre Internet Destination Whitsundays Airlie Beachvisitorscentre Airlie BeachNewsagency there are dedicated several internet cafés. able; manyof thehostels have terminals and commodation. Internet accessiswidelyavail- Whitsundays andtheGreat from Reef Barrier A huge range of boatsoffer trips outtothe ISLAND CRUISES Tours Airlie Beach skydiving with Try tandem SKYDIVING QPWS the andotherwalksvisittrack notes onthese day WhitsundayGreat Walk.Foradviceand TrackatShute Harbour,Beach orthethree- Mt Rooperforgreat views,ortheshortCoral rainforest.in coastal Trythe2.4kmclimbup forest, andprovides forsomegreat walking part nationalpark(see p415 ) andpartstate is behindAirlieBeach The ConwayRange BUSHWALKS surfers and paddle skis. Hotel that hire wind- out jetskis,catamarans, sonal) operators infrontof the AirlieBeach OctoberandMay.between There are (sea- 283 ShuteHarbourRd)Tourist information. h Harbour Rd) stand-by rates tours onsailing andresort ac- modation. Checkouttheirnoticeboardsfor island transport,andbooktours andaccom- 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to12.30pm 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, Sat) (

% . ( % 13 18;372ShuteHarbourRd; (346ShuteHarbourRd;perhr$4)The 4946 9115;from $249) ( ( % % ( % 4946 6410;354Shute 4946 7172;297Shute 4946 6665;277Shute lonelyplanet.com Tandem Skydive ( . % 4946 5255; Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels several reportsseveral of bedbugs beingaproblem so manyhostels, vary.Weheardof standards isabackpacker haven,Airlie Beach butwith BUDGET Sleeping included intheprice (adult/child $55/40). rainforest up.Lunch andpick-upsare close Falls (whenthey’re runningthatis)andsome Creek is agreat thebeautiful Cedar waytosee 10.30am daily,andreturns at4pm.Thistour Fawlty’s 4WDTropicalTours RAINFOREST/NATIONAL PARK TOURS ofdetails tour boats. p407 of tours fordetails sailing and p407 for the Abel PointMarina andShute Harbour. See AIRLIE BEACH Conway StateForest(35km) Proserpine (35km); Shingly BeachResort(2km); Club Crocodile(2km); Banjo’s (2km);Cannonvale To BushVillage (1.5km); SLEEPING SIGHTS &ACTIVITIES INFORMATION Magnums Backpackers...... Airlie WaterfrontB&B...... Airlie BeachHotel...... Oz AdventureSailing...... Internet Centre...... Southern CrossSailing C2 Whitsundays...... Where? What?How? Colonial PalmsMotorInn.... Beaches Backpackers...... Bay ofAirlie...... Airlie BeachYHA...... Airlie Apartments...... Adventures...... Post Office...... Destination Whitsundays...... Airlie BeachVisitorsCentre.... Backpackers bytheBay...... Airlie BeachMotorLodge.... Airlie BeachNewsagency...... 20 15 Air B lie e C 9

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16 R d Airlie 2 Bay 23 29 18 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 and live musicis incredibly popular. The outdoorbararea withitswoodentables awayfromthemain road. simple dormsset past thehecticallybusyreception, you’llfind central inmore waysthanone. Onceyouget This huge, sprawlingconglomerate isparty ers endupatMagnums onewayoranother. scattered lovely, through bird-filled gardens the otherbigparks, butthespacioussites are 6 sites $23/29,cabinsfrom $85; ShuteHarbourRd;unpowered/poweredtreevillage.com.au; van sites$18/20,dm/d$17/52; www.magnums.com.au; 366ShuteHarbourRd;campsites/ happy. not here. Don’tbeafraid to speakupifyou’re 5 33 B2 D1 B2 B2 C2 C2 C2 B2 B2 D4 A2 C3 W

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21 411 WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST interesting historyaccompaniesthissprawl- views fromthesunlounges outthefrontwill the 10-minute walktothetowncentre. The ais www.beaches.com.au; 356 ShuteHarbourRd;dm/d$25/80; www.islandgateway.com.au; ShuteHarbourRd,Jubilee could do far worse than could do farworse here.stay site andaperfect downtownlocation,you modation scene. Withthree restaurants on accom- porary additionto theAirlieBeach apartments, theABH isnowaslick,contem- with three-star motel units andfour-star s $119-249,d$129-249; .airliebeachhotel.com.au; cnrTheEsplanade&Coconut Grove; Airlie BeachHotel MIDRANGE tennis half-court and minigolf. excellent andincludeacampkitchen, ashop, centre. Thesites are shadyandthefacilitiesare campinggroundtothetown ing ittheclosest mak- park about 1.5km eastof AirlieBeach, chalets $135-145,villas$175; unpowered/powered sites$30/37,cabins$78-100, Pocket; quiet. reasonably bub, thisgood,cleanhostel issmalland removedbut justfarenough fromthehub- with/without bathroom$77/71; [email protected]; 394ShuteHarbourRd;dm$27.50,d pick-up scenewillappreciate it here. Women travellers notinterested intheparty, kitchen. There’s acourtesy busintotown. four-bed dormswiththeirownbathroomand Nowadays, it’saclean,safe haven withlarge centre. Itwasoncea farmandthenabrothel. ing low-key hostel about1.5kmfromthetown bathroom $108/78,allinclbreakfast; Rd;dm$27,d&twwith/without |village.com.au; 2StMartins relaxed barbecue area. painted withanauticalthemeandthere’s a wallsonthecorridorsanyway. Thebright are encourage here youtostay formostof theday dm/d &tw$26/62; 12HermitageDr; 4946 7267;www.backpackersbythebay.com; but itcomes anyway. close to outdoMagnums intheboisterous stakes, try doesn’t here. it’sbusy,Beaches Although ifyou’rethe bigopen-airbar,even notstaying area. Theparkis6.5kmwest of Airlie. and there’s agoodcampkitchen andbarbecue 412 Bush Village Island Gateway Caravan Resort Caravan Island Gateway Airlie BeachYHA bytheBay Backpackers Beaches Backpackers HTUDY RA • ileBah WHITSUNDAYS ••AirlieBeach AREA ) Youmustatleastenjoyadrink

( % ais

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% 1800 8098256,49466177;www.bush ( % as 1800 466233,49641999;www

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( % ) Don’t be put off by Don’tbeputoff ais 1800 636630;49466244; ) Newly renovated 1800 646994, ais ) Thisisabig

( % ) 4946 6228; Central, Central, Some ) % /fax You’ll betheonlyguestsatthisintimate but Rd; r$122-170; 4946 6446;www.whitsundaywanderers.com; ShuteHarbour go value. good Melanesian rooms are thecheapest, butare with tiledfloors amongshadedgardens.The dential village, Wanderers hasdecentrooms These midrange, self-contained holiday midrange, self-contained These ecofriendly B&Bjust the wayitwas.Rooms that thenewowners plantokeep thisto see three-night minimum stay. Shute Harbour Rdisnotfaraway.There’s a are viewsover Abel Pointandtheactionon there The apartmentsare fullyself-contained, a good-value optionthat’sideal forfamilies. bedroom apt$125-160; 22-24AirlieCres; 1-bedroomapt $120,2- apartments.com; cool tiledfloors anda breezy balcony. the sunlounges. roomshave Thecomfortable kids’ poolwhilemumanddadlazeawayin Dr; dfrom$120; palms.bestwestern.com.au; cnrShuteHarbourRd&Hermitage room toswing your cat. the two-bedroom apartmentsoffer abitmore rooms are small,butperfectly adequate and motel action andthelagoon.Thestandard just ashort walkfrom theShute Harbour Rd tle place,tucked awayinaresidential area, is a face-liftatthetimeof writing,thisneatlit- $120-140, 2-bedroomapt$140-160; 6418; www.airliebeachmotorlodge.com.au; 6LamondSt;dfrom sundaybb.com.au; 8Lamond St;s/d$145/240) two saltwater pools. room configurations,abarandrestaurant and and feature goodviews. There’s fourdifferent apartments are toAbel close Point Marina 1Shingley Dr;apt$140-240; beachresort.com; is leftvacantandyoupaythe lowest rate. oneroom,theotherapartment and onlyneeds Forexample,ifacouplestays is guaranteed. able formembers of party,soprivacy thesame two-bedroom apartment,they’re onlyavail- friendly owners. Whilethere isaone-and want toshare withthe somewineatsunset pretty much unless yourown everything, you own barbecue,yourbalconydecking, superb B&B. Thatmeansyour ownpool,your .com.au; 11OranaSt;1-/2-bedroomapt$130/200; Whitsunday Organic B&B Whitsunday Organic Shingley BeachResort o Airlie Apartments Colonial Palms MotorInn Airlie BeachMotorLodge Whitsunday Wanderers Resort Whitsunday Wanderers Bay ofAirlie as as Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels as ) Thelittleoneswilllove the ) Resembling asmallresi- Resembling

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4946 6222;www.airlie ( 4948 8300;www.shingley % as 4946 7166;www.colonial 4946 7151;www.whit 1800 810925,4946

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) room apt$330,2-bedroom$345-375; 25OceanViewAve;.coralsearesort.com; d$220-370,1-bed- there’s a500Lrainwater withfresh tank fil- atbayand surround theplacetokeep insects oilandfreshguests $22.50).Lavender herbs breakfasts comeshere thateveryone for(non- walk andtheorgasmic three-course organic are butit’stheorganic comfortable, garden Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels are after aquietrestaurant with a view. alsoconsidersomeofthough the resorts ifyou Shute Harbour Rdabounds withrestaurants; RESTAURANTS Eating views. stunning manywith are motel styleandself-contained, a huge range of well-appointed roomsthat has oneof thebestpositionsaround.There’s water justof Resort thetowncentre, CoralSea the endof alowheadlandoverlooking the to distract your attention. DVDandCDplayers there are TVs, enough you tire of theoceanviews(howcouldyou?) the boardwalk.Someroomshave aspaandif is aleisurely five-minute walkintotownalong sumptuously furnishedB&Boozes classand immaculately presented this fromtop totoe, $230-299; cnrBroadwaterAv St;d &Mazlin waterfrontbnb.com.au; space immediately putyourmind at ease. shutters thebedroomfromliving off sealing the rooms,soft colours, caneheadboardsand ceiling fansstirthelanguid,tropicalheat.In holiday. Itsopen-airplanandgently revolving tion area immediately tells youthatyou’re on apt $200-240,2-bedroom$270-325; .watersedgewhitsundays.com.au; 4GoldenOrchidDr;1-bedroom rant on the premises. precinct. There’s animpressive Thairestau- spabathoverlookingclosed thenewmarina very goodtoOK.Room16Shasaglass-en- $170-185; cnrShuteHarbourRd&HermitageDr;apt resorts.com.au; their regular rates. and stand-by rates thatare much cheaper than Most of theresorts here have package deals TOP END isallabout peace suring yourstay and quiet. coffee available en- allday.There are noTVs, tered water onoffer aswellorganic tea and Airlie Waterfront B&B Airlie Waterfront EdgeResort Water’s Whitsunday Vista Coral Sea Resort Coral Sea as a ) Absolutely gorgeous viewsand Theapartmentsvaryhere from )

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4948 4000;www.wentworth 4948 2655;fax2755;www ( % 4946 7631;www.airlie as WHITSUNDAYS ••AirlieBeach AREA as Therecep- ) ; wi-fi) At you wanttogoall-outforaspecialmeal.Have also get antipasto platters. this unpretentious littledeli-café. Youcan with deliciousfillings dominate themenuat Sat) Harbour Rd;dishes$6-15; go. to lunch, Airliehasplentyoffast orlight places If you’re lookingforaquickcoffee, break- CAFÉS &QUICKEATS one of back for the34winesandsettle a feast. Choose swordfish, barramundi andsalmon. fresh suchdelectable ascoraltrout, seafood, but itwouldbeashame tomiss outonthe a steak, chicken orduckifyouabsolutely must, h The Esplanade;lunchmains$18.50-25,dinner$30-44; cnrShuteHarbourRd& www.shipwreckedbarandgrill.com.au; tiger prawnsandMoreton bug Bay Try thecrispyskinsnapper,goatcurry,or tion, DejaVuisstilloneof Airlie’sfavourites. h Golden OrchidDr;lunchmains$15-21,dinner$27-32; Centre in Cannonvale. the frontdooratWhitsundayShopping to from.Thepublicbusstopsclose to choose chicken, butthere’s steak andseafood, plenty locals andtourists.Thefare isstock-standard at thisrelaxed barandgrillthat’spopularwith outside drink fromthebarandpullupaseat Dr, Cannonvale;mains$16-30; It’s alsoagoodplacefor quiet drink. culprits off theinexpensive bistroblackboard. fromtheusualsteak andschnitzelChoose terrace isagreat placeforamealanddrink. mains $14-32; punters coming back. dishes, butit’sthegourmetpizzasthatkeep be ignored either. Bolzhastheusualarrayof here. meanluncha seat should Thatdoesn’t pullsup half thepopulationof AirlieBeach idea atbreakfast timeonSunday.Itseems ner) The Esplanade;mains$12.50-26; te show. the courses perperson of $35.50)that’sthestar but it’sthefamouslongSundaylunch (eight Marino’s Deli Marino’s Bar&Grill Seafood Shipwrecked Deja Vu Bolz CosmopolitanCafé Banjo’s Whitsunday SailingClub Takeaway soup andgourmetrolls pasta, You and everyone else willhave else Youandeveryone thesame lunch &dinner; lunch Tue-Sun, dinnerTue-Sat;

( ( % % h 4948 4309;www.dejavurestaurant.com.au; 4946 7220;cnrShuteHarbourRd&Island a lunch &dinner)

( % ) Oneof theplacestoheadif 4946 4207;Shop3b,269Shute h ( h 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm 11am-8pm Mon-Fri,

( % h lunch &dinner) a 4946 7755;7BeachPlaza, Thesailing-club 4946 7894;AirliePoint; breakfast, lunch&din- ) Inanewloca-

( % agnolotti, 4946 6713; Ordera 413

WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST complicated andgood.Byallmeanseaton by foraquicklunch onthegoandendedup Harbour Rd;mains$8-10; Esplanade; mains$16-18; Cannonvale, about 2kmwest Cannonvale, of town. raised platform and raised theme nights. Resort. There’s rowdydancingona Beach late) favourites keep this placerockin’ all night. h parties. foam Magnums playscrowdfavourites andhosts 5am) M@ss Entertainment one, orboth, of them. at theirnight starts crowded, andeveryone Harbour Rd) Harbour Rd) place forapintand a yarn. butbeforelate atnight, thenit’samellow Harbour Rd; time, notto trouble. cause also funlovin’. People are here foragood isaharddrinkingplace,butit’s Airlie Beach Drinking Rd) the small If you’re preparing yourownfood,there’s SELF-CATERING in after you’ve hitthebars and pubs. a feed early,take itbacktoyourroomanddig Indian café,buttheideaistograbtakeaway one of outsidethissmall theplastictables slabs of willdothetrick lasagne for lunch. you’ve already donethebrekky thing,thehuge benearinglunchtime. itmight though even If café are justthetonictoget thedaystarted, gover backpackers, thebreakfasts atthiscasual $10-16; minutes. Trygoing just once. Greek faves are infrontof maderight youin day!).Kebabs,on thesame coming backnolessthanthree times(no,not 414 inthecentre of townandalarger onein Village Café Village o Morocco’s Africa Mama Paddy’s Shenanigans The bars at itIndia Get 10pm-5am) Next door to, and affiliated with, Koala Nextdoorto,and affiliated TheGothic-inspired at nightclub

HTUDY RA • ileBah WHITSUNDAYS ••AirlieBeach AREA ( h % , thetwobigbackpackers, are always and 8am-5.30pm) h 4946 6266;366ShuteHarbourRd; Café Mykonos Café Airlie Supermarket

( Huge dancefloorandcool % 5pm-3am)

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( 11.30am-late) 11am-9pm) % ( ( % %

( % 4946 5888;Shop9,Shute 4946 5055;352Shute 4946 6244;356Shute

4946 6266;366Shute (277 ShuteHarbour yiros Westopped Quick,un- andother h h 10pm- 10pm- Harbour Rd, opposite Magnums. Shute HarbourRd,JubileePocket) courtyard ofWhitehaven courtyard Holiday Units. .airliebudgetautos.com; 285ShuteHarbour Rd)Inthe Mackay ($33,2¼hours), Townsville($58,4½ coast, includingBrisbane($187,19hours), andallthemajor centresBeach alongthe There Airlie areAirlie Beach. between buses .com.au) MotorService Premier Greyhound BUS details. for There &Awayundertheindividualislands transfers Getting to/fromtheislands;see Fantasea BOAT Reef. the offer over joyflights Whitsunday Seaplanes South Molle. www.airwhitsunday.com.au) reef. outtotheislandsor plane orseaplane here, andyoucantake ahelicopter, light Half adozen different operators are based andShute Harbour. AirlieBeach between ismidwayairfield 6kmeastof AirlieBeach, Hamilton Island. majorThe closest airportsare and Proserpine AIR Getting There&Away Airlie Beach Budget Autos Airlie BeachBudget Autos town: in Taxis Point Marina. call Tobook ataxi, and take youtoeitherShute Harbour orAbel will pickyouupfromwherever you’re staying boatshaveand mostcruise that courtesy buses tocover issmallenough byfoot, Airlie Beach Getting Around operate from6am Buses to 10.30pm. Abel andShute Harbour. Point,AirlieBeach Airport),Cannonvale, (Proserpine Proserpine sell bus tickets. Shute Harbour and Rdcanmake reservations Hotel. Anyof thebookingagencies along clubandtheAirlieBeach thesailing between ($116, hours) andCairns 11 hours). There are car-rental several agencies Whitsunday Transit stoponTheEsplanade, buses Long-distance Whitsunday airport

( % Air WhitsundaySeaplanes buses detourofftheBruceHwytobuses

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( % % 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au; 11 13 2030;www.greyhound.com.au) Helireef ; there’s rankonShute ataxi

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ὈὈὈὈ ὈὈὈὈ ὈὈὈὈ ὈὈὈὈ lonelyplanet.com past the day-use area,past the day-use there’s a2.4kmwalk area.near thepicnicand day-use About 1km of thepark. Several Harbour thenorthernsection through passes islands, nowcutoff from the mainland. valleys leaving peaksas onlythehighest following thelasticeage floodedthelower range. levels mountain coastal Risingsea the Whitsunday Islandsare partof thesame CONWAY NATIONALPARK Thrifty Hertz Europcar Avis ofThe mountains this nationalparkand WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS ὈὈ The road from Airlie Beach toShuteThe roadfrom Airlie Beach ( % ( Mt Rooper % ( % Lookout 4946 6318;366ShuteHarbourRd) ( Repulse Bay % Swamp 4946 4687;WhitsundayWanderers Resort) Bay 4946 4300;87ShuteHarbourRd) National Harbour Conway 54946 4133;398ShuteHarbourRd) Shute Park Conway Daydream Beach Lookout Island Shutehaven Beak WHITSUNDAYS ••ConwayNationalPark AREA Island North Molle Ὀ Ὀ Ὀ ὈὈ ὄὈὈ

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Langford The Island Island Island Long Island Denman Nara Inlet Bird Island Island Planton Island Black Island Island Hayman Henning Cid start from start

Island Whitsunday Passage Whitsunday Nari's Beach& Island ὈὈ ὈὈ ὈὈ Harbour Hook Joe's Beach Cid Island Dent (Whitsunday Group) Great BarrierReef Beach Sawmill Marine Park Observatory Underwater Hamilton Passage Beach Dugong Island Dent Beach Crayfish Whitsunday spot –when there’s water, enough that is! posted. Thisisapopularpicnic andswimming about 15kmtothe falls;theroadsare wellsign- Conway Rd,8kmnorth of It’sthen Proserpine. area. the the localAborigines plantsgrowingin use available of atthestart thetrailexplainshow custodians of theWhitsundayarea; abrochure ofassistance theGiruDala,traditional Beak lookout 1km trackleadingdownto Coral Point(before Shute Harbour), there’s a islands. Furtheralongthemainroad,towards good viewsof theWhitsundayPassage and up tothe off the Proserpine to Airlie Beach roadonto toAirlieBeach off theProserpine Peter Bay Island

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Bay Mt Rooperlookout Beach Island Border . Thistrackwascreated withthe 6miles 10km 0 0 Solway Pass Island Shaw Maher Island Island Thomas Ὀ Ὀ Ὀ Island Haslewood swimming isnotrecommended. lakes intropicalareas; Crocodiles inhabitriversand Cedar Creek Falls Creek Cedar Mansell Island Coral Beach , which provides Harold Island C ORAL S EA and , turn 415

The WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST criid divers. certified range of courses, gear forhire andtripsfor as .oceanhotels.com.au/longisland; dinclallmeals$260-380; of cathedral Australian hardwood withhigh consists of spacious,waterfront cabinsmade $2950) perperson www.southlongisland.com; 5-nightpackages bar and lounge. asthemaindiningarea, building thatserves the resort isapoolandlarge, comfortable from such Attheheartof aheftypricetag. and allthemoderncomfortsyou’d expect The PlatinumSuite hasawraparounddeck around thepretty, of sweep Palm sandy Bay. plete with swingingdoublehammock,sit guests instylish comfort.Thecabins,com- boutique resort amaximumof houses 42 relaxationtees andisolation.Thisintimate nokids:Peppersphones, noTVs, guaran- www.peppers.com.au/palmbay; d$460-1200; rooms. inthebeachfrontextra tostay orgarden for theprice,you’re better offspendingthe austere, andbathroomfacilitiesare shared; groups busy.Thelodge unitsare smalland are alsoplenty of activitiestokeep allage TherePoint, tothe4.4kmwalkSandyBay. the island,from600mstrolltoHumpy There are somefabulousshort walksaround place withthree of levels accommodation. midrangeIsland Resortisacomfortable, Happy atthenorthof Bay theisland,Long kids are more thanwelcome here. Sittingon Long IslandResort Sleeping &Eating &Snorkel Long IslandDive of walkingtrackswithsomefine lookouts. best intheWhitsundaysandthere are 13km The beaches onLongIslandare amongthe Activities below). (see Long IslandandPeppers Palm resorts Bay land. Day-trippers thefacilitiesat canuse itfromthemain- only 500mwideseparates much more than1.5kmwide,andachannel It’saboutfor everybody. 11km longbutnot ent personality, thisrugged islandissuitable thing. Withthree resorts, each withadiffer- Underrated Long Islandhasthebestof every- LONG ISLAND 416 South Long Island Nature Lodge South LongIslandNature Peppers Palm Bay HTUDY RA • ogIln WHITSUNDAYS ••LongIsland AREA This secluded lodge onParadise Thissecluded Bay ) Aresort and,yep,the foreveryone

( % ( % 1800 075125,49469400;www 1800 095025,49469233;

( % 0417 161998)

( % as 3839 7799; hasa ) No cheapest resort intheWhitsundays,andits There are anumberof goodbeaches dotted to450matHookPeak.tional parkandrises 53-sq-km Hook Islandispredominantly na- largestThe second of theWhitsundays, HOOK ISLAND them inabout 25 minutes. Peppers Palm andyou canwalkbetween Bay adult/child. per takes about15minutes, and costs$27/18 Thedirect trip by frequent dailyservices. nects LongIslandResorttoShute Harbour Fantasea Getting There&Around of water-sports equipment. from Hamilton tours Island,sailing anduse isinclusive ofThe tariff helicopter transfers so you’re guaranteed peaceandtranquillity. or children, water sports, andno motorised nodayvisitorsa five-night minimumstay, style. buffet There’s andserved in thetariff wineandsoftmeals, beer, drinksare included the maximumnumberof guestsisjust12.All informality isthenameof the game–and byafriendlycrewis staffed of justthree – dow opensformagnificentviews.Thelodge breezesmost of andthehuge frontwin- thesea con, butthecabinsare positionedtomake the plus acouple of barbecues. There are nodorm ofkitchen strictlyfortheuse campers only, are suppliedineach room,andthere’s a camp bathrooms are people;the units eachup tosixoreight sleep kelling just offshore. Thesimple,adjoining other advantage isthat there’s great snor- d with/withoutbathroom$120/150; ( Beach. Crayfish and CurlewBeach BloodhornBeach, Beach, (per person/family$4.50/18) tunities inbasicnational-park Hook Island…try Hayman instead! If youwantfive-star luxury,don’tcometo it’snotwhattheyexpected.pointed because enticed bythelowpricesandhave leftdisap- frills, budget place. Many travellers comehere the Whitsundays.Theresort isano- itself the bestdivingandsnorkelling locations in around theisland,andHookboastssomeof % ceilings; there’s no phone, no TV andnoair-ceilings; there’s nophone,TV While it’sbasic, There are somewonderfulcampingoppor- It’s 2km between LongIslandResortand It’s 2kmbetween 4946 9380; www.hookislandresort.com; campsites$45, 4946 9380;www.hookislandresort.com; ( % 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au) tiny Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels Hook IslandWildernessResort . Tea andcoffee facilities atMaureen Cove, Steen’s as camping grounds ) is alsothe con-

fers toHook(adult/child $50/20).Transfers Daydream; see p409 ) aswellreturn trans- (HookIsland,Whitehaven and cruise Beach the campinggroundsfor around $150. there’s asmall The Discovery isopenuntil late and Bar in themain Voyager transfers are byregular tourboat.The you bookyouraccommodation.Return sites withasuperb beachfront location. facilities anymore, butthere’s around60camp lonelyplanet.com sml fare. simple functional. and motel style,butthey’re clean,comfortable and theroomsare pretty much yourbasic Theresorttainment. isfarfromluxurious water-sports enter- equipment andnightly tennisthe golfcourse, courts,nonmotorised of includeuse mealsaday,andalltariffs buffet d $240-360,fullboard$360-440; ( south andatPaddle near Bay the resort. person/family $4.50/18) the climbupSpionKopis also worthwhile. pointisMtJeffreysThe highest (198m),but tracks, andhassomesuperblookoutpoints. The islandiscrisscrossed by15kmof walking in thenorth,islandisallnationalpark. the resort area Bay andgolfcourse atBauer Molle andNorthIslands.Apartfrom sq km,SouthMolleisvirtuallyjoinedtoMid pool surroundedbyinviting sun lounges. point, withsomesuperbbeaches andahuge is more disap- yourstyle,SouthMolledoesn’t free forresort ifrelaxation guests).Ofcourse, hire water-sports (nonmotorised equipmentis water-sports gear available forday-trippers to squash courts.There isalsoawiderange of a nine-holegolfcourse, agym,andtennis and resort, which isdecidedlynonglitzy,alsohas The wanting toputtheirlegsgooduse. forest, makingitanidealdestinationforthose of gorgeous shortorlongwalksthrough rain- South MolleIslandoffers animpressive array SOUTH MOLLEISLAND Islands Connections to otherislandscanbearranged. % Breakfast andlunch are buffets served at Full-board tariffs There are nationalpark Largest ofLargest theMollegroupof islandsat4 Transfers totheresort are arranged when 1800 075080,49469433;www.southmolleisland.com.au;

( % ( % 4946 9330)

( 4946 5255) % Island Restaurant Island Restaurant 4946 5255) WHITSUNDAYS ••SouthMolleIsland AREA café located at Sandy Bay inthe located at SandyBay canorganise to dropoffs does adailythree-island does (meals $5-20) South MolleIslandResort or as Camping Whitsunday Camping camping grounds includethree ) (mains $20-30) that serves thatserves Island Camping Island Camping (per

. on the beachfront. whitsundays.com) More formalis offers theusualpizza,steak, risottoandsalad. casual andotherlunchtimesandwiches snacks. The Boathouse bakery snacks,lunch anddinner.day, serving The Waterfalls which openall Restaurant, stays place toheadifyou’re isolation. seeking a large resort on asmallisland,soit’snotthe coral reef poolnearthemainatrium. Thisis will love thefish-feeding atthesmall sessions activities tokeep children occupied,andthey breakfast.buffet There’s aclubwithconstant modation andmostpackage dealsincludea Therein thetariff. are five gradesof accom- swimming pools,allof which are included windsurfersa gym,catamarans, andthree $990-1260; night packages ( large (296rooms) and fish-filled it,the lagoonrunningthrough tropical gardens,andwithastingray-,shark- Daydream Islandfromhead to foot. walks,you’vedone these justabout covered eastern sideof theisland.Andonceyou’ve andaconcretedBeach, pathleadsaroundthe short walktothetinybutlovely Sunlovers northern endsof theisland.There’s another minutes to walk,linksthesouthernand window all day. sit atthebackof theclass andstare outthe be fooledbyhername. Daydream doesn’t 200m wide,she isonthesmallside,butdon’t the queue. Atjustmore than1kmlongand her petite frameget herpushed tothe backof Gorgeous little Daydream let Islanddoesn’t DAYDREAM ISLAND $26/17). Molle fromAbel PointMarina (adult/child 466 444;www.koalaadventures.com) own bar. Bookthrough main resort andhave exclusive accesstotheir upmarket dormroomsabout500mfromthe in includes Whitehaven Guestsstay Beach. three-day trip(adult$329).Thejourneyalso onitsstops atSouthMollefortwonights % ence bycruisingonthe Breakfast is served buffet styleatthe buffet Breakfast isserved Surrounded bybeautifullylandscaped about20 androckypath,taking A steep Cruise Whitsundays Backpackers canalsoget theMolleexperi- 1800 075040,49488488;www.daydreamisland.com; 3- Fishbowl Tavern hasconnectionstoSouth

(light meals$3-10) Mermaids Mermaids Daydream Island Resort &Spa IslandResort Daydream (mains $19-31; as

( % Koala Adventures (mains $24-35) Pride ofPride Airlie, 4946 4662;www.cruise hastennis courts, ) in Airlie Beach. provides coffee, h Mon, Wed & Fri) Mon, Wed&Fri) , which is , which is ( %

which 417 1800

WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST Harbour Rd, Jubilee Pocket) Harbour Rd,JubileePocket) Palm Bungalows Palm Terraces number. reservations thecentral tobemadethrough ings need package Allbook- dealscomeintoeffect. for atleastthree whenthecheaper nights, stays almosteveryone although for onenight listed are Rates apartments topenthouses. ranging fromhotel roomstoself-contained .hamiltonisland.com.au; Hamilton IslandResort Sleeping daycare and aClownfishClub for kids. eastern cornerof theisland.Hamilton alsohas Hotel uptoPassage Peak (230m)onthenorth- Viewthe bestbeingfrombehind theReef $125 perperson, withfishing gear supplied. outer reef. fishing trips costaround Half-day a varietyof tootherislandsandthe cruises dives andcertificate courses; youcantake go parasailing or water-skiing. jetskisandotherequipment, catamarans, front of theresort, youcanhire windsurfers, and aminigolfcourse. From squash courts,agym,golfdrivingrange resort facilities.Theresort hastennis courts, Shute Harbour someof asyoucanuse the makes Hamilton aninteresting daytripfrom plenty of possibilities,which entertainment for here.everyone thing aboutHamilton isthere’s something restaurants, bars andactivities.Thegreat rangethe sheer of accommodation options, fect getaway, it’shardnottobeimpressed by ideaof thisisnoteveryone’s Although aper- like abusytownratherthanresort island. and heavy make development Hamilton seem for thefirst-time visitor. Swarmsof people Hamilton Islandcancomeasquite ashock % HAMILTON ISLAND Long and Hamilton Islands. child/family $80/44/227),which alsovisits athree-island day-trippackagedoes (adult/ (one wayadult/child $27/18).Fantasea also to Shute Harbour byfrequent dailyservices 418 units behind the resort complex are closely packed but complex are closelypacked units behind theresort complexes with big balconies overlooking the complexes withbigbalconiesoverlooking garden. The sheer sizeofThe sheer thisresort meansthere are Fantasea There are afew A few dive shopsbytheharbourorganise 07 /pop1840 HTUDY RA • aitnIln WHITSUNDAYS ••HamiltonIsland AREA (

% (d $290) These rooms are in low-rise (d$290)Theseroomsare inlow-rise 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au; 11Shute (d $315) These attractive individual (d$315)Theseattractive walking trails walking connects Daydream Island ais

( % 137 333,49469999;www ) Catseye Beach Catseye hasoptions ontheisland, , in 4pm) There’s afour-night minimum stay. types offullyself-containedunits,fromstandardtoluxury. some have Coral Sea views,others some haveCoralSea garden views. four-star hotelhas386spaciousrooms,mostlybalconied; bed, anda small patio. buffered bylushgardens. Eachhasadoubleandsingle include tuna,eyefillet and spatchcock. It’s Hamilton’s signature restaurant. Dishes which enjoys absolute beachfront location. House, the basisof themenuatBeach & dinner) snack menuwhilelistening to live jazz. inforadrinkandnibblefromthe just settle Gofordinner,or overlooking Beach. Catseye side breakfast oralazylunch atthiscoolcafé 29; the resort. The followingrestaurants are foundwithin RESORTSIDE Eating &Drinking Beach Club Whitsunday HolidayApartments Hotel View Reef Accommodation Self-Catering wood-fired gourmetpizzas are afavourite al- here it’ssimpleandvery The because tasty. h you justfeel like grazingover a cold drink. There’selse. alsoasnackmenu($6to$9)if ($19.50)willdo the trickforanyone and salad withahunger chipsthose whilethelasagne, a drink.TheT-bone steak ($28.50)willsatisfy rina. It’sagreat placeforadecentpubfeed or wonderfulviewsofside pubaffords thema- & dinner) wraps andsalads for lunch. forbreakfastmuffins togourmetsandwiches, apartments preparing their own meals. also asupermarket-general store in forthose Harbourside), are independentlyrun.There’s what isknownasMarina Village (orsimply restaurants,These allalongthewaterfront in HARBOURSIDE roomsallenjoyabsolutebeachfrontpositions. five-star its reception area, restaurants, bars,shopsandpools,these55 sideof resort the island. are onthe tofour-bedroomapartments one- serviced Manta Ray Café Ray Manta Tavern Marina Beach House Toucan Tango &Bar Café Marina Deli Marina h breakfast, lunch&dinner) Simple,fillingfare and fromcroissants breakfast, lunch&dinner) Formerlytheyacht club,thisbusysea- ModernAustraliancuisineforms (d $595) Flanking the main resort complex with complexwith themainresort (d$595)Flanking

( %

( (dfrom$350-410)Thelarge20-storey, % (

% Book yourstayatlonelyplanet.com/hotels 4946 8224;meals$5.50-12;

4946 8580;mains$39-49; 4946 8839;mains$14-20; ( % Thefoodispopular 4946 8213;mains$17-26;

Enjoyacasualpool- ( % (d $317-1245) Several (d $317-1245)Several 4946 8562;mains$15- (d$350-430)These h h h lunch 7am- lunch Sydney, Melbourne andAdelaide. both licensed andBYO.both licensed Whiletheemphasisis veranda overlooking theharbour,Mariners is $26-38; paella provide worthy competition. squidandSpanish thesalt-and-pepper though lonelyplanet.com tude and sheer luxury thatyou’retude and sheer here for. leys andbeaches butlet’sface it,it’sthesoli- 250m above Ithasforested level. sea hills,val- Hayman isjust4sqkminarea to andrises The mostnorthern of theWhitsundaygroup, HAYMAN ISLAND nearthe Base ferry terminal. the office nearreception orfromthe Charter around theisland.Theyare available from three hours $45/55/60,allday$70) towhiz around theislandfrom7am to 11pm. operating There’s afree shuttlebusservice Getting Around family $80/44/227) with Fantasea. a three-island day-trippackage (adult/child/ $49/27). Hamilton canbevisited aspartof (adult/childPoint Marina inAirlieBeach connects Hamilton Islandairportand Abel Whitsundays Cruise frequent daily services. and airport($50/28)toShute Harbour by Hamilton Islandmarina(adult/child $40/22) Fantasea BOAT nect Hamilton with Airlie Beach. from Brisbane. ( www.jetstar.com.au) centre fortheWhitsundays. Hamilton Islandairportisthemainarrival AIR Getting There&Away NightClub or youcanheadtoHarbourside’s posite ) haslive mostnights, entertainment entertainment. ToucanTangonightly ( op- The bars intheresort andHarbourside offer Entertainment their own meals. supermarket/general store preparing forthose ish restaurant withamenu to match. grillsareon seafood, alsoavailable; it’sastyl- % Mariners Seafood Restaurant Seafood Mariners There’s also abakery, ice-cream shopanda Everyone hires (perone/two/ agolfbuggy 13 6789;www.virginblue.com.au) h (

dinner Mon,Tue &Thu-Sat) ( h 4946 5111;www.fantasea.com.au) 9pm-late) has flights to/fromBrisbane, hasflights Island AirTaxis WHITSUNDAYS ••HaymanIsland AREA . In a big, enclosed Inabig,enclosed ( (

Jetstar Jetstar % has flights to/ hasflights 4946 9933) 4946 8628;mains ( % Virgin Blue Virgin connects Boheme’s 13 1538; con-

9111) Hamilton Island(per plane $725). The accommodation serves a purpose, but apurpose, The accommodation serves ones allday(good newsformostparents!). club maywellensure thelittle you don’tsee keep andthefamouskids’ youentertained a GM)ensure there are plentyof activitiesto callthemselves –you’re (that’s whatthestaff pace downifthat’swhatyouprefer. TheGOs toslowthe it’snottoodifficult However, this resort willappeal toenergetic types. is allhustleandbustleit’snosecret that per2people$1788; .com; 3-nightfull-boardpackages with, lotsof kidsshould look elsewhere. don’t have, ordon’twanttoshare theisland will appealtotravellers of allages,who those is mostlynationalparkandwhiletheresort from everywhere yougo. The8-sq-kmisland toradiatevibrant, youthfulatmosphere seems and whileit’salittledated inappearance,a own. ClubMed took over theresort in1992 mote’, but compensates withanenergy allits Hamilton tobe‘re- IslandandAirlieBeach is awayfromthehubbuboffar enough Whitsundays, pretty littleLindemanIsland Sitting snuglyatthesouthernendof the LINDEMAN ISLAND ( Hayman. Checkout to theresort. child $205/102.50)forapampered transfer resort’s of fleet luxurycruisers (onewayadult/ by Hayman andescorted tooneof the staff roomsinthepoolwing standard are swish. Evenwith anoutdoorteakwood setting. the not tomentionagloriousbalconyfurnished trimmings of hotel, aninternational standard relaxed ambience,butwithalltheluxurious offer11 lagoonsidepenthouses aresort-style impressive.certainly Ifmoneyisnoobject, the and arts,exclusive boutiques,Hayman is grounds, animpressive collectionof antiques of swimmingpools,landscapedgardensand restaurants,rooms, seven fourbars, ahectare leads tothemainentrance,andwithits212 comfort thenHayman is for you. best hotels. Ifyouwantexclusive five-star .com.au; r$580-3900; Reef Barrier % Flying istheonlywaytododaytrips Club Med Club Med It’s nowonderthattheprivate Guests flyingtoHamilton Islandare met An avenue of date stately 9m-high palms 4946 9111;adult/child $195/175). provides a seaplane charter service from provides charter aseaplane service (

( % % Air WhitsundaySeaplanes 1800 2582633,49469333;www.clubmed 1800 075175,49401234;www.hayman ais Air WhitsundaySeaplanes isoneof theworld’s ) Hayman Great Hayman Great (

% as 419 4946

) WHITSUNDAY COAST COAST WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY COAST the above - ‘Do the right thingwithourcontent.’ the above -‘Dotheright thetermsandconditions onoursiteforalongerwayofsaying youknow,orresell it.See everyone site,mass emailitto only. Inotherwords, pleasedon’tuploadthischapterto apeer-to-peer Inreturn, wethinkit’sfair toaskyouuseitforpersonal,non-commercial purposes restricted. © LonelyPlanetPublications. iteasier foryoutouse,accessthischapterisnotdigitally Tomake at WhitsundayPeak. There’s noresort, but island covers to438m 109sqkmandrises The largest of theWhitsundaygroup,this WHITSUNDAY ISLAND is includedin your package. fromHamiltonnects withflights Islandand 10.30pm. from band from6.30pmandthe‘disco’gets going only addstotheappeal.There’s usuallyalive in afunkindof way.It’scornyashell,butthat bucks whiletravelling andit’sallvery amateur They’re justyoungpeoplemakingacoupleof are paidactorsThese nothighly anddancers. GOs. It’sgreat fun, butputitintoperspective. theatre performed bytheyoungandenergetic plentiful and varied. breakfasts, lunches anddinners. Thefoodis buffet-style TheMain serves Restaurant tariff. ask fora resortside room. ofit upamountain steps, splashoutabitand don’t expectluxury.Unlessyouwanttohoof 420 © LonelyPlanetPublications Club Med hasitsownlaunch thatcon- Every there’s night alive show inthemain All mealsanddrinksare includedinthe HTUDY RA • htudyIln WHITSUNDAYS ••WhitsundayIsland AREA islands tovisitandhow get there. youonwhich camping permitsandadvise .qld.gov.au) grounds. The Armit Islands–have national-parkcamping –Gloucester, Saddleback,Oldenand these of boatsorwater Several taxis. by cruise group are visited andseldom undeveloped The northernislandsof theWhitsundays OTHER WHITSUNDAYISLANDS andPeterBeach; in Bay the north. the south;atsouthernendof Whitehaven in andChanceBay in thewest;atTurtleBay Beaches at Dugong,Sawmill,Nari’sandJoe’s sunglasses! a sunnyday,somake sure youwearyour pure-white canbedazzlingon silicon sand the day-tripboatsvisitWhitehaven. The snorkelling offitssouthernend.Many of inthecountry),withgoodgroup (somesay coast isthelongest andbestbeach inthe long it hassomefinebushwalking, andthe6km- There are national-park campinggrounds Whitehaven Beach Whitehaven , 3km south of Airlie Beach, canissue , 3kmsouthof AirlieBeach, QPWS office onthesoutheastern

( % 4946 7022;www.epa lonelyplanet.com