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Whitsunday Coast

Includes  Why Go? Mackay...... 183 Many travellers to Australia, especially those with a sailing Sarina...... 186 pedigree, head straight for the Whitsunday Islands and Eungella...... 187 barely leave. This white-fringed archipelago, a stunning fea- Cumberland Islands... 188 ture of the Coral Sea coast, can be easily seen from shore. Opal-jade waters and pure-white beaches fringe the forested Cape Hillsborough isles; around them, tropical fish swarm through the world’s National Park...... 188 largest coral garden in the Marine Park. The Whitsundays...... 189 The gateway to the islands, Airlie Beach, is a backpacker Bowen...... 200 hub with a parade of tanned faces zinging between boats, beaches and nightclubs. This is as close to the islands as some budget travellers will get. South of Airlie, Mackay is a typical coastal Best Places to Eat town with palm-lined streets framed by a jumble of art-deco ¨¨Mr Bones (p196) buildings. It’s a handy base for trips to Eungella National ¨¨Fusion 128 (p185) Park – a lush hinterland oasis where platypuses cavort in the wild. North of Airlie Beach is cute little Bowen, a low-key ¨¨Harry’s Corner (p195) alternative for backpackers working through their holiday. ¨¨Jochheims Pies (p200) ¨¨Paddock & Brew Company (p185) When to Go Mackay °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm Best Places to 40/104 20/500 16/400 Sleep 30/86 ¨¨Qualia (p198) 12/300 20/68 ¨¨Kipara (p193) 8/200 10/50 ¨¨Stoney Creek Farmstay 4/100

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