How To Get The Most Out Of Whitehaven Beach If You’re Short On Time

This article is sponsored by Tourism Whitsundays.

Located on Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach is one of the many jewels in The Whitsunday’s majestic crown. With over seven kilometres of sparkling blue seas and soft, white sands, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would pass up an opportunity to explore the stunning beach. The picturesque destination was even dubbed the winner of TripAdvisor’s ‘Travellers Choice Best Beach in the World 2021’ – no easy feat. 

But with so many islands to hop and tropical activities to play with, how do you get the most out of your Whitehaven Beach trip if you’re short on time? 

Getting There

You can get to The Whitsundays from all major east coast Australian cities with flights starting at around $200 for a return trip. You can also head there from your home-state to Airlie Beach. You can choose to stay on one of the island resorts or on the mainland. From backpacker hostels to the luxurious InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, there’s accommodation to suit differing budgets.

If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can sleep under the stars by camping on Whitehaven Beach. 

Sightseeing

So, you only have so many hours of Annual Leave racked up and need to squeeze your holiday into a couple of days? While you could make your own way around and charter a boat, by embarking on a sightseeing tour, you can save time and receive a guided experience of the magical Whitehaven Beach and its surrounding islands. 

Running from 9am to 5pm, the SeaLink Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour is a one-of-a-kind tour that takes guests to key hot spots in The Whitsundays such as Hill Inlet and South Whitehaven lookouts, as well as a cruise through Whitehaven Bay.

The rooftop observation deck provides 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, while morning and afternoon tea, (plus a gourmet lunch) is served in air-conditioned comfort. This tour also provides a bus to charter you back to your hotel room. Lush.

In one jam-packed yet relaxing day, you’ll learn about (and hopefully see some of) the 74 islands in the Whitsundays as well as the marine life. Think manta rays, turtles, humpback whales and more. You’ll also hear about the local Indigenous culture of the Ngaro people and their connection to these tropical islands. 

If you’re up for even more of an adrenaline-pumping adventure, take a Thundercat boat ride around The Whitsundays and spot the famous Whitehaven Beach before snorkelling on The Great Barrier Reef. The Thundercat tour is one of the fastest catamarans in The Whitsundays and has been designed for both stability and speed. A win-win.

Another way to see the most that Whitehaven Beach has to offer is on foot. With so many lookouts available, you can see the Whitsundays Islands National Park open up before your eyes. Witness the sparkling waters of Chance Bay through to the northern Hill Inlet, as well as the stunning cove.

Similar to walking tours in capital cities, you could technically do Whitehaven Beach on your own, however, by embarking on a guided tour, you can sit back, relax, and have an experienced Whitehaven Beach expert help you get the most out of your tropical getaway.

Can’t wait to book a trip? You could win one of three $5000 Flight Centre vouchers simply by looking through The Whitsundays virtual window. For your chance to win a holiday to Hamilton Island, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort or the once-in-a-lifetime Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefsleep, head here.