Queensland National Parks
Whitsunday national parks Welcome
Contents Abandon Parks at a glance...... 2 Lindeman Islands National Park...... 16 daily life for a tropical island paradise, leaving Treasure nothing but footprints in the sand. Welcome...... 3 Conway National Park ...... 18 ancient rock art and middens Map of the Whitsundays...... 4 More top spots ...... 22 of one of Australia’s earliest- recorded First Nations groups, Plan your getaway...... 6 About the parks...... 22 the Ngaro people. Outdoor adventures...... 8 Boating in the Whitsundays...... 24
Whitsunday Islands National Park...... 9 Journey wisely...... 26 Drift Explore Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail...... 12 Further information...... 28 from island to island landscapes of wind-swept grasstree Molle Islands National Park...... 13 fanned by the balmy heaths and far-reaching vistas of the Whitsunday breezes. tropical Whitsunday coast.
Dive into an underwater world of vibrant colour in the Great Parks at Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Photos (clockwise from bottom right): Wheelchair access Camping Toilets Day-use area Lookout Public mooring Anchorage Swimming and snorkelling Diving Bushwalking Mountain ridingbike Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; © Tourism and Events Qld; a glance Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; Lisa Scott © Qld Govt Photos below: (left) © Qld Govt; (right) Justin Heitman © Qld Govt Conway NP
Dryander NP Welcome to
Gloucester Islands NP The Whitsundays ...... from the Gia people of the Conway Ranges Holbourne Island NP We ask that you respect our beautiful and significant ... from the Ngaro people places and join us in caring for Country—a place to Lindeman Islands NP The Whitsunday area is the traditional land and sea Country treasure and enjoy for now, and for our future generations. Molle Islands NP of the Ngaro people. The Traditional Custodians maintain a strong and ongoing spiritual connection to their homelands, The Whitsundays is a stunning area filled with views of Repulse Islands NP and ask that you tread with care and respect when visiting unspoilt islands, powdery sand beaches, and turquoise this amazing place. waters. It has endless spots to find your own private beach Whitsunday Islands NP to relax, go for a snorkel, have a fish or take a bushwalk. The magical Whitsundays is just waiting to be explored! Ranger Kay on behalf of the Park Rangers of the Whitsundays
For a more comprehensive guide of the parks listed above, visit qld.gov.au/NationalParks 2 Photos: (front cover) Stunning view from Whitsunday Peak, looking over Cid Harbour, 3 the top of Whitsunday Island and further afield to Hook Island. Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; (this page) Adam Creed © Qld Govt Island and Map Island and Map Map of the Whitsundays site name reference site name reference
Whitsunday Islands National Park Molle Islands National Park
Whitsunday Island South Molle Island W1 M1 Dugong Beach Sandy Bay
G2 Sawmill Beach W2 Paddle Bay M2
Naris Beach W3 North Molle Island M3 Cockatoo Beach Gloucester Joes Beach W4 Island Planton Island M4 W20 Chance Bay W5 G3 Denman Island M5 G1 W8 Whitehaven Beach W6 Saddleback Tancred Island M6 Island Hayman Gloucester Islands Island W12 Cairn Beach W7 National Park W9 Long Island Dingo M7 Hook Island Sandy Bay Beach Langford Island W15 W8 W13 Maureens Cove G4 Lindeman Islands National Park W14 W11 Armit Steens Beach W9 Hook Lindeman Island Island L1 Island Curlew Beach W10 Boat Port
D
i n Crayfish Beach W11 Seaforth Island g L2 o Orchid Beach
To Bowen B W16 Manta Ray Bay W12 e W19 a Esme Beach L3 c h W10 Butterfly Bay W13 W7 R D1 Border Deloraine Thomas Island o Island L4 a Island Black Island W14 Naked Lady Beach d
Langford Island Shaw Island W15 L5 M3 Langford Spit Neck Bay Dryander W1 Border Island National Park North Molle W16 Gloucester Islands National Park Br Island Tongue Point Cateran Bay uc e H Gloucester Island ig W2 Haslewood Island G1 hw Molle W17 Bona Bay ay Dryander Airlie Hill Inlet Stockyard/Chalkies Beach M2 Islands NP State Forest M4 Whitsunday Whitehaven Beach East Side Bay G2 Henning Island South Molle Island Islands W18 C1 Northern Spit Saddleback Island G3 National Park W17 M1 M5 gory W6 Deloraine Island W19 Gre –Ca Shute W3 Armit Island G4 nn Whitsunday Island Haslewood o Harbour M6 n Island Hayman Island Va W4 W18 W20 Repulse Islands National Park lley Road W5 Blue Pearl Bay C2 Henning Is South Repulse Island R1 d a Conway National Park o R r Mount Rooper C1 Dryander National Park ou rb a Dent Hamilton Island Grimston Point D1 H M7 Conway circuit C2 Island e t u h Long S Conway Island Proserpine Pentecost Island National Park Legend for publication
National park Pictograms Proserpine River State forest Camping QPWS office L1 Lindeman Island Conservation park Toilets Information L2 L5 Ocean Information shelter Proserpine Viewpoint State Forest Shaw Conway L3 Island Waterway Picnic table Interpretive walk Beach Highway Sheltered table Barbecue—wood Andromache Lindeman Islands Sealed road Walking track Conservation Park National Park Unsealed road Snorkelling/diving L4 Walking track Fishing Mountain Public mooring North Town/city Repulse Anchorage Island East Distance marker Andromache Repulse Parking State Forest Repulse Islands Island Scale Bridge Midge National Park 0 5 10km 4 Point South 5 To Mackay R1 Repulse Island Best way The Whitsunday coast is about two thirds of the way along Queensland’s coast between Brisbane and Cairns. Drive 1,120km (12hr) north from Brisbane, or 630km (7hr) south from Cairns, to Proserpine on the Bruce Highway. Follow signs to Airlie Beach—30km along Shute Harbour Road. Plane flights from Brisbane take about 1.5hr. Plane flights are also possible from Proserpine and Hamilton Island.
No matter which way you look at it, the Whitsundays are a glorious getaway. Qld Events and © Tourism Photo: Mainland parks You can reach Conway National Park Plan your getaway by 2WD and enjoy many options for walking or mountain-bike riding around Experience a holiday to remember in the heart of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Discover the coastal fringe or up in the range. Guided tours dazzling white secluded beaches, ancient Aboriginal rock art, sweeping grasslands and rocky You’ll need a boat to get over to Get on board a guided tour with shores fringed with coral reefs. The Whitsundays offers an endless choice of natural adventures. Dryander National Park’s secluded an experienced and friendly local. Grimston camping area. Enjoy sailing and snorkelling day Global treasure Best time trips or overnight camping where The Whitsunday islands, and their It’s pleasant all year in the Whitsundays, Island parks tourism operators take you away surrounding waters, are protected in the but April to September are the best You can reach the Whitsunday islands from the crowds. Commercial Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, months when daytime temperatures are by joining a tour or private charter, using water taxis from Shute Harbour Australia’s first and the world’s largest milder (21–26°C) and nights are cooler your own kayak or vessel or hiring a tinnie can drop you at island camp sites, World Heritage Area. After stupendous (16–22°C). Water temperatures in the or a bareboat—no skipper or crew. where you can walk, snorkel, rifting and ripping of the earth’s crust, ocean vary throughout the year from dive and fish, or just relax. Visit the Whitsundays islands—remnants of 22–27°C. It can rain any time, but the Top: Take in staggering views from any tourismwhitsundays.com.au of the lookouts in the Whitsundays. ancient volcanic calderas—remain as a heaviest rains fall between January and Add some local flavour Above: Get a bird’s eye view of the reef. for tour details. Below: Stop, breathe and enjoy the views from group of more than 90 green gems now March. Cyclones are more likely to occur Time your holiday with a local event. the walks on the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. dotted in the aquamarine Coral Sea. between November and April, so make There’s the annual music festival in Photos: (top) Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; (above) © Tourism and Events Qld; This remarkable ecosystem, one of the sure you read any emergency advice November or sailing, fishing and (below) Dave Harper © Qld Govt world’s largest barrier reefs, is home to (bom.gov.au) before you visit. triathlon events throughout the year. thousands of different species of plants Find out more at qld.com.au and and animals. Come and see for yourself! tourismwhitsundays.com.au Find out more at gbrmpa.gov.au
Top: Setting out on a canoe adventure on the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. Above: Play about in the waters off Daydream Island. Right: The Whitsunday’s world famous Heart Reef is best seen from the air. Photos: (top) Justin Heitman © Qld Govt; (above and right) © Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA)
6 7 8 where the rugged range provides a perfect place on or foot mountain for exploration bike. provides range aperfect where the rugged Embark on venture asea to an island national park—there inland, are many explore Or to choose from. adventures Outdoor Come face to face with somebig beauties of thereef. staying at a different camp site each night. each site camp adifferent at staying Trail, Sea Ngaro Whitsunday the on hop island- and kayak your grab style, your suits power paddle If everything. after look operator atour let or one hire boat, own your Take float! is to Whitsundays the of most see to way best The boat your Float National Park. Conway in trails shared many the around or Island Molle South on Peddle onGet your bike you. for walk right the choose and classifications p27 track See for hikes. day multi- or full-day longer to walks short easy from choosing alot, or alittle Walk Pull on your shoes © Commonwealth ofAustralia (GBRMPA) Justin Heitman ©QldGovt; ©Tourism and Events Qld; Photos (topleft to bottom right): TimPayne ©Qld Govt; for some top spots to dive and snorkel. snorkel. and dive to spots top some for locals the Ask reefs. and rocks around snorkel and off Cool slopes. reef the along caves and crevices bommies, Dive underwater Explore qld.gov.au/Camping at online camping park national your book to Remember yourself! to place whole the have you’ll so site, one only have areas camping island Some parks. mainland or islands the across areas 28 camping of one at over Camp Pitch your tent Island. Hook on Inlet Nara in Site Cultural Ngaro the and Island Molle South on quarry stone-tool the Visit years. 9,000 than more spanning country sea and land this to connection unbroken and aspiritual have people Gia and Ngaro The story ancient an Discover waters. warmer the in calve to September and May between visiting whales humpback majestic by acrobatics awe-inspiring Witness whales Watch you’re walking, on wheels or on the water. the on or wheels on walking, you’re whether Whitsundays the in do to lots There’s
Photo: Darren Jew © Tourism and Events Qld
Photo: © Tourism and Events Qld Ranger tip tip Ranger Ranger Kay fish. reef smaller of millions and trevallies cheeky some wrasse, Maori protected and beautiful big, the as such fish, big really some see Photo: Justin Heitman ©QldGovt Park National Islands Whitsunday Hill Inlet, astunning swirl of sea andshifting sands. Manta Ray Bay is an awesome spot to to spot awesome is an Bay Ray Manta collect campers. collect and off drop companies Some Harbour. Shute or Beach Airlie from plane sea or helicopter boat, commercial or private by Visit islands. Langford and Hook Black, including30 Whitsunday, islands, protects Beach, Airlie of 25km east Park, National Islands Whitsunday there Getting • • • Must dos sands of famous Whitehaven Beach. Whitehaven famous of sands white squeaking, the along Walk Visit the Ngaro Cultural Site. Cultural Ngaro the Visit lookout. Inlet Hill to Climb world. underwater astunning see to dive or Snorkel Deloraine islands. Deloraine and Haslewood Langford, Black, Hook, Whitsunday, at reef the along caves and crevices bommies, coral explore or tide high at reef the Snorkel diving and scuba Snorkelling do to Things Whitsundays. the in lookouts best the from world the of roof the from if as Whitsundays, the See Passage. Solway stunning the view to walk a short take then, Beach, Whitehaven famous world- on Relax past. people’s Ngaro the to links with rich area an Inlet, Hill of sands swirling the at Marvel surrounded by turquoise blue waters. Discover aslice isles of paradise on jewel-green Photo: TimPayne ©QldGovt incredible views. views. incredible with rewarded be and Peak Whitsunday hike uphill (2.5km) to up alonger tackle and water and food extra Pack Beach. Sawmill to over walk easy ashort, take or Beach Dugong off aline cast Either walking and Fishing you. around life of complexity wondrous the at You’ll delighted be wildlife. with alive are Whitsundays The spotting Wildlife walk the Whitsundays. the walk you when views fantastic Take in 9 Hook Island rewarded with spectacular island Hook Island Places to go Solway circuit Whitsunday Peak track and sea views from the lookout. Boat up to and camp over at Hook Island’s Whitsunday Island 1.2km return. Allow 40min. 5km return. Allow 4hr. Ngaro Cultural Site Maureens Cove, Steens, Curlew or 340m return. Allow 20min. Whitehaven Beach lookout Wander along this one-way circuit from Walk uphill from Sawmill Beach day-use Border Island Crayfish beaches. Stay a couple of days Whitehaven Beach uphill to a natural area to windblown heaths, for impressive Protected from the elements in a once- Headland track Border Island to snorkel the island’s fringing reefs and rock platform with spectacular views vistas from the ‘roof of the Whitsundays’. hidden cave, the Ngaro people adorned 970m return. Allow 30min. 1.2km return. Allow 1hr. spend an hour or so at the Ngaro Cultural over Solway Passage and the the fragile rock surface with their artwork 400m headland track. Allow 30min. Site. Start at Nara Inlet—an excellent deep Whitsunday Cairn track Explore ashore and enjoy Cateran Bay surrounding islands. over the last 9,000 years. Clamber up overnight anchorage, accessible at mid This is a premier walk. You’ll see 4km return. Allow 3hr+. from above on this short walk. After an a short, and initially steep track with to high tide—and leave at least an hour Whitehaven Beach’s 7km shoreline with Chance Bay track (off Solway circuit) initial steep ascent, meander along the Walk from Cairn Beach—Whitsunday steps, to a viewing platform at the to immerse yourself in the stories of uninterrupted views. And get a closer 3.6km return. Allow 2.5–3hr. island’s saddle of native grassland and Island’s most northerly beach—up to cave’s entrance. the past. look at the enthralling Solway Passage. enjoy views from 2 lookouts. There’s fascinating rock formations and Follow this track through some of a ridge covered with giant grasstrees. Whitsunday Island’s more secluded areas It’s steep and challenging, but what a Haslewood Island Henning Island wonderful views of the Whitsunday Island Places to camp peaks and the islands dotted in a to peaceful Chance Bay. This delightful view—simply breathtaking. Haslewood Island lookout Picnic on the sandy beach, near the sparkling sea. walk branches off the Solway circuit. 300m one way. Allow 20min. Whitsunday Island Northern Spit camping area, and enjoy Langford Island Dugong Beach is a great place to take the views of Whitsunday and Hamilton Leave Chalkies Beach behind as you W Hill Inlet lookout track kids and can accommodate larger groups, islands. The Spit is accessible by boat hi Langford Island lookout teh walk uphill to the island’s rocky headland. Solway circuit av while Joes Beach is secluded, but offers en 1.4km return. Allow 40min. at all tides, but is a poor anchorage. Chance Bay track Be 300m one way. Allow 20min. ach Passing through a natural gully of shady great views across to Cid Island. Cairn Take an uphill wander to multiple lookouts Use the public moorings here. Stroll the mangrove lined shore before eucalypts and grasstrees, you are Beach is a kayaker’s camping delight. ol a for stunning vistas over Hill Inlet’s circuit gently walking uphill through mixed tall turquoise waters and white, sweeping ance a trees, small ferns and orchids. Marvel at Map sands—a highly-significant area to the Island and ref. Beach trac the remarkable Whitsunday bottle trees site name (p4) Facilities and activities type Further information Ngaro people. Access the track from and enjoy views along the island’s spit Whitsunday Islands National Park Hill Inlet or Tongue Bay. to nearby Black and Hook islands. Camping area backed by rainforest and connected by a 1km walking track Whitsunday Island to Sawmill Beach. Dugong Beach has better anchorage than Sawmill Beach, Chance W1 Sand Beach track Dugong Beach but is suitable for shallow draft vessels only. Care must be taken to avoid Bay coral bommies, particularly at low tide. cale 500m return. Allow 20min. Picnic area nestled in vine forest. Walking tracks lead to Dugong Beach m Sawmill Beach W2 Sand and Whitsunday Peak. Branch off the Hill Inlet lookout track Dugong Beach Camping area sits under rainforest canopy, tucked against a steep hill. and head downhill to the bright-white, cale Naris Beach W3 Sand It has outstanding views of Cid Island. Reef line close to shore with good Hill Inlet lookout ongue m access at mid to high tide. Point quartz sands of Hill Inlet and across to Beach track Secluded camping area with outstanding views of Cid Island. m Joes Beach W4 Sand Whitehaven Beach, considered one of Fringing reef exposed at low tide. Boat acces at mid -high tide. the top 10 beaches in the world. Sawmill Elevated camping area with views extending to Pentecost Island, Lindeman group Beach Chance Bay W5 Sand and Cape Conway. Boat access at mid to high tide. Difficult to access in south- easterly winds but is good anchorage during northerly winds. Whitsunday Dugong-Sawmill track Whitehaven Spectacular white sands with camp sites nestled in lowland vine forest and W6 Sand Island 3km return. Allow 1hr. Beach eucalypt woodland. Has views to Haslewood Island. Boat access at all tides. Surrounded by mountains and excellent views from the Whitsunday Cairn track Walk under stands of giant rainforest m to Border and Dumbell islands. A large intertidal sand and rock flat is fed by Cairn Beach W7 Rubble Tongue Bay a winding creek behind the beach. Shallow draft boat access. Poor anchorage; trees and solitaire palms before entering use public moorings. Kayaks are perfect. Bettys Beach what seems a fairyland of mosses, lichens Camping area sheltered by pandanus and backed by small creek. Bay offers Hook Island excellent snorkelling and anchorage. Anchoring is not permitted inside the and fungi on this semi-shaded walk from W8 Rubble itsunda Pea Maureens Cove cove’s reef protection markers. Shallow draft boat access at mid to high tide. eac Dugong Beach to Sawmill Beach. Poor anchorage. Perfect for kayaks. trac Whitsunday Peak Camping area set behind the beach and overlooks Hayman Island. and Dugong-Sawmill tracks Steens Beach W9 Sand A small reef flat provides good snorkelling. Restrictions apply 1 Oct to 31 Mar each year. Whitsunday Cairn track Whitsunday Peak track profile Camping area backed by rainforest. Accessible at mid to high tide by shallow draft Curlew Beach W10 Sand 400 vessels only. Sheltered anchorage next to camping area. Lookout 300 Outstanding beauty with extensive reef flat. Camping area sheltered by large ill nlet Beach Crayfish Beach W11 Sand rocky headland. Accessible at mid to high tide by shallow draft vessels only. loo out 200 trac 100 Sheltered anchorage next to camping area. Elevation (m) Elevation Cairn Excellent diving from boat, small beach with no camping. Use public moorings. Manta Ray Bay W12 Rubble Beach 0 500 1000 1500 Anchoring prohibited in the bay. m Distance (m) Excellent snorkelling/diving from boat. Use public moorings. Anchoring itsunda Butterfly Bay W13 Sand prohibited in the bay. cale airn trac Whitsunday Cairn track profile m m 300 Black Island W14 Sand This is a popular site for snorkelling/diving, especially at high tide. 250 Langford Island itsunda 200 W15 Sand Good snorkelling/diving and short walking track with view. All tide access. airn 150 Langford Spit 100 Border Island Legend cale W16 Sand Popular snorkelling/diving site and walking track with great views. All tide access. Elevation (m) Elevation 50 Cateran Bay m Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail Haslewood Island 0 500 1000 1500 W17 Sand White sands. Poor anchorage. Moorings may assist. walking track Distance (m) Stockyard/Chalkies Henning Island Backed by closed forest canopy. Accessible at all tides, very poor anchorage W18 Sand Northern Spit though moorings assist. Whitsunday Cairn and Whitsunday Peak tracks are difficult to traverse and can be Deloraine Island W19 Rubble A more remote day-visit site that is popular for snorkelling. Hayman Island W20 Rubble Good snorkelling/diving site. slippery in wet weather. You must be well prepared, take plenty of water, have a good Blue Pearl Bay 10 level of fitness and wear ankle-supporting footwear to safely complete these tracks. 11 Pulling up on Whitehaven’s shore after an exquisite morning’s paddle. © Qld Govt Heitman Justin Photo: Qld Events and © Tourism Photo: View the Molle Islands—verdant dots amid the ocean blue.
Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail Molle Islands National Park
Sail, kayak or cruise to islands with pure-white sands and stroll through Head over to this bushwalkers’ paradise with superb views over windswept grasslands up to rugged headlands for breathtaking views. Must dos picturesque island landscapes. • Cruise along the mountain bike trails, then walk to the lookout at Start your Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail Pull on your boots and wander through Spion Kop. adventure from Airlie Beach or Shute South Molle’s grasstree-studded Harbour and travel an extraordinary • Walk up to Mount Jeffreys. grasslands or past ancient Ngaro stone blend of seaways and walks spanning • Look for passing whales. quarry relics up to Spion Kop. Start Whitsunday, South Molle and Hook islands. a mountain-bike adventure on 14km You can book your national park camping Getting there of tracks catering for beginners and online at qld.gov.au/Camping Molle Islands National Park is 10km intermediate riders. Go snorkelling off
Butterfly east of Shute Harbour. Access is by the beach on South Molle’s Sandy Bay or a man Bay private or hire boat from Airlie Beach grab the fishing gear and head to the large sland Steens Maureens Manta Ray or Shute Harbour. Some companies camping area near Cockatoo Beach on r urst sland Beach Cove Bay drop off and collect campers, North Molle Island. Look out for passing whales. Photo: Justin Heitman © Qld Govt Langford sland lac Crayfish bushwalkers and mountain-bike sland Take in the Whitsunday beauty from tiny ird sland oo Beach Stonehaven everlasting daisies to the grand views from riders. Walking tracks and shared sland Coastal waters the Molle Islands’ walking tracks. Places to camp Legend Anchorage of the Great Barrier Reef trails on South Molle Island can be Ngaro Photos: (above left) Mick Barrett © Qld Set up camp, then stroll on long sandy Denman Island or Planton Island, where Cultural Site Cairn Govt; (above) Justin Heitman © Qld Govt accessed from Bauer Bay or Sandy beaches, relax with a good book or only one group with up to 6 people are Whitsunday Ngaro Nara Beach Bay camping area. Access from Sea Trail Inlet just doze the afternoons away at one allowed at one time. Be self-sufficient on Whitsunday Paddle Bay is by walking only. Long Walking track Curlew Cairn order Trip planner of the many camping areas on the Tancred Island with no facilities, where Whitsunday Beach sland Island walking tracks are accessed Seaway Passage Molle Islands. Relish quiet camping on it’s quiet camping and quite wonderful. Distances provided are approximate and from either Happy Bay or Palm Bay. Peter Cockatoo Bay apply if travelling the Whitsunday Ngaro ort olle Beach Pioneer Dugong Tongue Point Sea Trail in an anti-clockwise direction. Map Rocks sland Island and ref. Beach Almora Cid Beach Islet No allowance is made for site name (p4) Facilities and activities type Further information Harbour Dugong a dream Tongue Whitehaven Spion Kop id tides, bad weather or Beach Molle Islands National Park Pioneer Bay sland Bay Beach sland Ngaro 15km Good open camping area for bushwalkers with a pleasant beach fringed with out olle Whitsunday possible drift. Cultural (8.1nm) South Molle Island M1 Rubble sland Sawmill Peak Site Sandy Bay casuarinas. Site readily accessible at mid to high tides. irlie eac ute Hill Sandy Bay Mount Jeffreys Beach Curlew 6km 10km Camping area backed by rainforest and overlooking Daydream Island. Access to arbour Inlet Beach (3.2nm) (5.4nm) Paddle Bay M2 Rubble Shute Bay ute Naris itsunda asle ood track system only possible at low tide. Access site via boat at mid to high tides. sland Beach Whitsunday 6km 11km 11km sland Cairn (3.2nm) (5.9nm) (5.9nm) Joes sland North Molle Island A number of large camp sites around the forest edge. Tides limit access. East Beach 9km 15km 20km 20km M3 Sand (4.9nm) (8.1nm) (10.8nm) (10.8nm) Cockatoo Beach Anchorage off the beach is not recommended. ancred Rock Solway sland Tongue Bay 16km 22km 27km 27km on a Chance Passage Secluded camping area set in dry rainforest behind the beach. Access is by boat at enning (8.6nm) (11.9nm) (14.6nm) (14.6nm) Planton Island M4 Rubble all tides, but anchorage off the beach is not recommended as it is exposed to winds ational Par sland Bay Whitehaven 9km 25km 31km 36km 36km Beach (4.9nm) (13.5nm) (16.7nm) (19.4nm) (19.4nm) and currents. You must pull your boat up onto, and anchor on, the beach. ent amilton Sandy sland Chance Bay 8km 17km 33km 39km 44km 44km Small, quiet camping area set in dry rainforest above the shore. Set in a marine sland (4.3nm) (9.2nm) (17.8nm) (21.1nm) (23.8nm) (23.8nm) Denman Island M5 Rubble park green zone, so look but don’t take or disturb anything. Pull your boat up onto Beach Long Henning 15km 23km 32km 48km 54km 59km 59km sland Island (8.1nm) (12.4nm) (17.3nm) (25.9nm) (29.2nm) (26.5nm) (31.9nm) and anchor on the beach. Offshore anchorage is risky due to winds and currents. Paddle Bay 15km 30km 38km 47km 63km 64km 74km 74km A very private camping area with Shute Harbour hidden from view by Repair Island. (8.1nm) (16.2nm) (20.5nm) (25.4nm) (34nm) (34.6nm) (40nm) (40nm) Tancred Island M6 Sand Accessible by small boat though care should be taken on the fringing reefs at mid Sandy Bay 3 km 12km 27km 35km 44km 60km 66km 71km 71km (1.6nm) (6.5nm) (14.6nm) (18.9nm) (23.8nm) (32.4nm) (35.6nm) (38.3nm) (38.3nm) to low tide. Pull boats up onto and anchor on the beach. Shute 5 km 8 km 17km 32km 40km 49km 65km 71km 76km 76km A small secluded beach lined with mangroves and backed by rainforest. Harbour (2.7nm) (4.3nm) (9.2nm) (17.3nm) (21.6nm) (26.5nm) (35.1nm) (38.3nm) (41nm) (41nm) Long Island cale M7 Sand Walking track departs from the camp site, allowing you to explore Long Island. m Directly from Shute Harbour 49km 32km 31km 36km 21km Sandy Bay (travelling in a clockwise direction) (26.5nm) (17.3nm) (16.7nm) (19.4nm) (11.3nm) Only shallow draft small craft can access the beach during mid to high tide.
12 13 Places to go MapMolle title? Islands Molle Islands National Park Legend National South Molle Island Long Island Walking track Stairs Park Long Shared trails Main Sandy Bay Lamond Hill Long Island circuit sland id olle (walking and riding) intersection circuit 4.2km one way. Allow 2hr walking, 4.4km one way from Sandy Bay. 3.5km circuit. Allow 1.5hr. sland Tracks 1, 2 and 3 are part of the Happy Bay Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail 30min riding. Allow 2hr walking, 45min riding. Have a happy day from Happy Bay Resort Don't get caught out! Humpy You can only get to and cale A fantastic outing through patches 3.3km one way from Bauer Bay. on the only Long Island track with Point Pelican from Mid Molle Island 2hr m Island either side of LOW TIDE. of native grasslands studded with Allow 1.5hr walking, 45min riding. spectacular viewpoints. Fish Bay Pandanus grasstrees and a beach lined with Palm Bay Bay Paddle Bay Enter from the western end of Bauer Bay weeping, coastal casuarinas. Pandanus Bay Resort and journey uphill—moderately steep— 900m return from Palm Bay. Allow 30min. to overlook the mainland’s ranges. 6 Brauer Bay Mount Jeffreys 1.5km from Happy Bay. Allow 1hr. 4km one way from Sandy Bay. Paddle Bay Walk across the narrow island neck Spion Kop Lamond Allow 2hr walking, 30min riding. 2.2km return. Allow 1hr. to a pandanus-lined rocky beach. Hill 6 3km one way from Bauer Bay. Meander from Bauer Bay Beach to a coral Humpy Point 5 Allow 1–1.5hr walking, 30min riding. beach, where at low tide you can walk to 3 Sandy Bay Long 1.2km return from Happy Bay. Allow 30min. Take this gradual slope to Mount Jeffreys, Mid Molle Island. Don’t get caught out! sland 5 2.6km return from Palm Bay. Allow 1hr. South Molle’s highest point, and enjoy You only have about 4hr to complete the walk as access is tide related—that is Need to stretch your legs? Take a wander Balancing a sensational 360 degree view of the 4 Oyster 2hr before and 2hr after low tide! through shady, dry rainforest thicket— Rock Bay Whitsunday islands and mainland. cale m Planton an intriguing plant community. sland Spion Kop Sandy Bay Legend out olle 2 4.2km one way from Sandy Bay. sland Enjoy a good ‘leg-stretch’ of a walk on the 5.8km return from Palm Bay. Allow 3hr. Walking 1 Allow 2hr walking, 50min riding. Sandy Bay track, through a spectacular track grasstree-studded landscape. 8.2km return from Happy Bay. Allow 4hr. 2.3km one way from Bauer Bay. Photo: Adam Creed © Qld Govt Pack a lunch and take this gently-climbing Allow 2hr walking, 30min riding. track, which eventually ends at a small Mount Walk or mountain-bike ride to lookouts secluded beach. Jeffreys Sandy Bay over Whitsunday Passage. Walking access only from the set of stairs leading to Spion Kop.