Airlie Beach Lagoon

Family Holidays in The Whitsundays

Pin Airlie Beach Lagoon

Island adventures, free beach days, and the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays is where family holidays happen naturally.

The Whitsundays was made for families. Island day trips, reef snorkelling, wildlife encounters, and free afternoons at the lagoon. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, this is where they stop asking for screens. Here is why families keep coming back.

Browse by Interest.

The Whitsundays has something for every age, every day. Island day trips, reef snorkelling, wildlife encounters, free beach days, and resort fun. Browse by interest and find the one that fits.

Hayman Island

Islands

Explore the Whitsunday Islands with beaches, sailing, snorkelling and island resorts. Find tours, highlights and the top places to visit in this tropical region.
South Molle Island

Water Tours

Experience some of the most unforgettable water tours in Queensland, with reef cruises, snorkelling, sailing adventures, and more across The Whitsundays.
Reefsuites

Accommodation

Find accommodation across The Whitsundays, Queensland, with options from luxury resorts and island stays to motels, cabins, and self-contained apartments.
South Molle Lookout

Plan

Plan your trip with information on getting here, where to stay, travel tips and itineraries to help you make the most of your visit.

Family Experiences

From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to free afternoons at the lagoon. These are our picks for families.

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Experience

Camira Sailing Adventure

Experience the wonders of the Whitsundays on this full day cruise on board Camira – the big purple catamaran! Sail through the azure blue waters of the Whitsunday Islands, walk to Hill Inlet, snorkel…
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Experience

Whitsunday Segway Tours

Whitsunday Segway tours operate amazing, award winning and Eco Tourism certified, guided Segway tours in the Whitsunday Conway National Park, as well as along the Airlie Beach boardwalk with included…
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Experience

Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Experience the Whitsundays on our Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Discovery Tour—perfect for travellers of all ages who want to explore the underwater world without getting wet (infants 0–2 go free).…
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Experience

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari

Nowhere else in Queensland can you experience so much in one location. Take a trip on the 'wild side' with Whitsunday Crocodile Safari and see crocodiles in their natural habitat in the…
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Experience

Northern Exposure Tour departing…

The Northern Exposure eco adventure is a favourite amongst avid snorkellers because it is the only Whitsunday adventure which includes two different snorkel destinations. Enjoy snorkelling around…

Where To Stay With Kids?

Island resorts with kids clubs, mainland apartments a walk from the lagoon, and holiday parks with pools and playgrounds. Three ways to base your trip.

The Whitsunday Islands

Bareboating

Skipper your own private yacht in The Whitsundays. Explore the Great Barrier Reef at your own pace with a bareboat charter. Plan your ultimate adventure.
Hayman Island

Islands

Find island accommodation in The Whitsundays, Queensland, including romantic escapes, family resorts, and relaxing retreats with stunning Coral Sea views.
Airlie Beach

Mainland Accommodation

Find mainland accommodation in The Whitsundays, Queensland, including hotels, apartments, and holiday parks ideal for short breaks and long stays.

Your Family Holiday

5 Days in The Whitsundays

A mix of big adventures, free days, and island time. Adjust to suit your crew. Swap days around, add a rest day, or stretch it to a full week.

Airlie Beach Lagoon Top Down 1

Day One: Arrive and Airlie Beach…

Touch down at Proserpine. The airport is small and easy to navigate, and you are 20 minutes by road from Airlie Beach. Collect the hire car or catch a shuttle and let the holiday begin.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach

Day Two: Hamilton Island

Catch the morning Cruise Whitsundays ferry from Port of Airlie to Hamilton Island. An hour and ten minutes on the water, then a full day of wildlife and beaches. Walk or hire a golf buggy to get…
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Day Three: Whitehaven Beach with…

A full day on the water aboard Camira, an 85-foot sailing catamaran. Sail through the Whitsunday Islands to Hill Inlet Lookout and Whitehaven Beach, with a snorkelling stop at the fringing reef.…
Walks Hikes Bicentennial Boardwalk 4

Day Four: Free Day

No bookings, no schedule. Walk the Bicentennial Walkway to Cannonvale (flat, pram-friendly, 5 kilometres). Drive 30 minutes to Cedar Creek Falls for freshwater swimming in a natural rock pool. Or…
NECI Cruise Whitsundays Vessel Reef Aerial

Day Five: Great Barrier Reef with…

Your final adventure: a full day on the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise Whitsundays takes you 39 nautical miles offshore to Reefworld, a permanently moored pontoon at Hardy Reef. Snorkelling gear is…

Explore More

Outer Reef

Naturally Iconic
Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach

Fall in Love with The Whitsundays

Secluded islands, sunset sailing, and the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays is where unforgettable moments happen, naturally.
Yangaro, Airlie Beach

Find Your Quiet

Private islands, off-grid retreats, and bareboat escapes. The Whitsundays is where you go to genuinely switch off, with no schedule, no signal, no rush.

What Parents Actually Need to Know

The stuff the brochures skip. Getting around, what is free, when to book, and what to pack for kids.

How do we get around with kids?
Most tour operators include pickup from Airlie Beach accommodation. Ferries run daily from Port of Airlie to Hamilton Island and Daydream Island. Hamilton Island is car-free (golf buggies are transport). Daydream Island is small enough to walk everywhere. Local buses connect Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, and Shute Harbour. You do not need a rental car unless exploring further afield (Cedar Creek Falls, Proserpine River safari).
Which islands can we visit without booking a tour?
Hamilton Island and Daydream Island are accessible by scheduled ferry from Port of Airlie. Buy a ferry ticket, catch the boat, explore the island, and catch the ferry back. Other islands (Whitehaven Beach, Long Island, Hayman Island) require a tour booking, resort stay, or private charter.
What is free and what costs money?
Free: Airlie Beach Lagoon (lifeguard-supervised, year-round), Lions Community Markets (Saturdays), Bicentennial Walkway (5km coastal walk), Cedar Creek Falls (freshwater swimming, 30 minutes drive), Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island (day visitor), Daydream Island complimentary activities (resort guests). Paid: Island day tours, Whitehaven Beach tours, reef snorkelling and diving trips, scenic flights, Hamilton Island Wildlife Park, Segway tours. Day tour prices typically start from around AUD 100 to AUD 200 per adult, with children lower and under-4s often free.
When should we visit for school holidays?
Queensland school holidays fall in April, June to July, September to October, and December to January. These are peak periods. Book accommodation, ferries, and popular tours well in advance. June to August is driest and mildest (around 24 degrees Celsius), ideal for kids and whale watching (humpback season June to September). September and October school holidays coincide with shoulder season, warm but not too hot, fewer crowds than summer.
What about stinger season?
Marine stingers are present from November to May. Full-body lycra stinger suits are provided free of charge on every tour. They are lightweight, comfortable, and double as sun protection. The outer reef is outside the main stinger zone, so reef day trips are unaffected. Airlie Beach Lagoon is stinger-free year-round. Kids handle the suits well and most do not want to take them off.
What should we pack for kids?
Reef shoes (for rocky foreshores and island walks), rashies, reef-safe sunscreen, hats, and a reusable water bottle. Soft bags rather than hard suitcases if staying on a boat or smaller island. All snorkelling gear (masks, fins, stinger suits) is provided on tours. Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras on water days. For rainy days, pack a card game or book. Wi-Fi can be patchy on islands.