Whitsunday Islands
1. Sail around the Whitsundays 74 Islands – skipper yourself or enjoy one of the many charter options
2. Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef
3. Let your feet sink into the silica white sand of Whitehaven Beach
4. Spend a memorable night on the reef and under the stars on Reefsleep
5. Learn to scuba dive at some of the best reefs in the world, including the Stepping Stones and the Cathedrals
6. Snorkel among some 1500 species of fish and 400 types of coral
7. Fly over Heart Reef for a bird’s-eye view of this amazing icon
8. Hike to the lookout at Hill Inlet for stunning views of Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach
9. Oh and ah at all the marine life in the world’s biggest open air aquarium on Daydream Island
10. Catch a seaplane or helicopter to a private beach for a picnic to remember
11. Go whale watching
12. Hike on one of the many walking tracks on the islands – the great views are worth it!
13. Explore Hamilton Island in a golf buggy
14. Splash out and have a romantic weekend on Hayman
15. Visit the underwater observatory at Hook Island
16. Play mini golf on Daydream Island
17. Have a scenic round of golf on South Molle Island
18. Play like a professional on the Hamilton Island championship golf course, the views make it hard to concentrate!
19. Snorkel off the beach at Long Island Resort
20. Enjoy the Whitsundays serenity at secluded Paradise Bay Eco Resort on Long Island
21. Pack a tent and be dropped off at a secluded island for a weekend of camping (camping permits from the EPA required and are around $5 a night)
22. Follow in the footsteps of the Whitsundays traditional owners on the Ngaro Sea Trail
23. Visit the historic aboriginal caves at Nara Inlet
24. Hire a kayak and experience the islands from a different perspective
25. Find that ultimate fishing spot (check with the Dept Fisheries for fishing zones first!)
Airlie Beach
26. Discover nature on the Whitsundays Great Walk
27. Or take a shorter walk of discovery on one of the many bush walks at Shute Harbour
28. Or depart from the centre of Airlie Beach on the short ‘Airlie Creek Walking Track’ and splash about in the rock pools at the top of the track
29. Enjoy great food and wine on the Airlie Beach Esplanade
30. Soak up the sun, cool off and make new friends at Airlie Beach Lagoon
31. Go shopping at the weekend markets or peruse the Whitsundays many boutiques
32. Get fit and take in the views on the coastal boardwalk from Airlie Beach to Cannonvale Beach
33. Get pampered and relax at a day spa
34. Go fishing at many of the great spots off the mainland, or at the Shute Harbour fishing pontoon
35. Sit on the beach and enjoy live music every Sunday at the Esplanade
36. Have a bbq at one of our award winning beaches – Shingley Beach has thick, soft grass and great views of the marina
37. Sink your toes into the sand at the brand new Boathaven Beach
38. Play trivia at one of the pubs or resorts throughout the week
39. Ride a camel along the beach
40. Get into some watersports off the Airlie Beach Lagoon or Coral Sea Jetty
41. Allow yourself to dream while walking around the marina and checking out all the boats
42. Compete in the weekly Wednesday afternoon sailing (from Whitsunday Sailing Club) – volunteer crew welcome!
43. Experience the night life
Proserpine
44. Catch a monster Barramundi at Peter Faust Dam (permit required)
45. Enjoy some country hospitality at a local pub
46. Watch the night sky light up during the pre-harvest cane fires
47. Visit the Whitsunday Gold Coffee plantation and coffee shop
48. Spot an estuarine crocodile on the Proserpine River
49. Take a step back in time at the Proserpine Historical Museum
50. Play golf at the Proserpine Golf Course
51. Search for the elusive Proserpine Rock Wallaby
52. Browse the many boutique clothing and homewares stores
53. For kids – hang out at Youth Space
54. Visit the Sunday morning markets once a month
Hydeaway Bay/Dingo Beach/Conway Beach
55. Enjoy the tranquil scenery of Dingo Beach while sun baking or beach combing
56. Overlook the beautiful Whitsundays Islands whilst enjoying a picnic lunch
57. Deep sea fishing around Mt. Gregory and Gloucester Island
58. Sunday session at Dingo Beach Hotel
59. Lunch at a resort overlooking Gloucester Island
60. Fly a kite at Conway
61. Splash around and enjoy a scenic picnic at Cedar Creek Falls
62. Explore mangroves and uninhabited islands on a jet ski safari
Bowen
63. Walk or laze about the beautiful beaches of Bowen
64. Taste the tropical delights of a Bowen mango
65. Explore the pristine fringing reefs off Horseshoe Bay
66. Play a round of golf in the sea breeze
67. Splash about and relax on the Front Beach foreshore complete with kids play equipment, bbq’s and picnic areas
68. Head inland to the old mining area of Collinsville and the Coal Face Experience museum
69. Take in the full panorama of Bowen, the islands and countryside from Flagstaff Hill
70. Be amazed by the live fish display at Bowen Harbour with fish ready for export
71. Visit Muller’s Lagoon, 23.57 hectares of picturesque parkland in the centre of town, with superb botanical gardens and wetlands habitat
72. Visit the sites where ‘Australia’ the movie was filmed
73. Enjoy a movie at the Bowen Summer Gardens Cinema
74. Take in the great views with a cup of coffee at the 360 degree cafe