My Discoveries
Five Reasons We Love the Whitsundays
Looking for an island adventure that has it all? Eight of the Whitsunday’s 74 islands are inhabited while the remainder are little patches of perfection shimmering in the turquoise sea, writes Tatyana Leonov.
1 ISLAND RESORTS
Whatever your accommodation style, there’s an island to suit – from motels to beachside bungalows to the ultimate indulgence, such as Qualia luxury resort.
The revamp that has everyone talking is Daydream Island. The popular tourist spot was hit hard by Tropical Cyclone Debbie in April 2017. After a $100 million refurnishment, Daydream Island Resort is due to reopen in November. It will have 290 tastefully appointed rooms and brand new facilities, including an Asian fusion restaurant. The much-loved Living Reef, a collection of fish-filled coral lagoons that weave their way through the resort, is back bigger and better than before. It’s what daydreams are made of.
2 NATURALLY ATTRACTIVE
Hundreds of beaches fringe the islands. But a few warrant a special mention. Whitehaven Beach is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with seven kilometres of blinding-white
sand that feels as fine as talcum powder. Heart Reef is another crowd-pleaser – a beautiful coral configuration that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. This incredible sight is best viewed from the air in a helicopter or seaplane.
3 UNDER THE SEA
Divers flock to the Whitsundays to explore one of the best underwater realms in the world. Whether you’re snorkelling or scuba diving, the coral formations in this part of the Great Barrier Reef are heaving with marine life. Jump in and swim around with hundreds of species of colourful fish, manta rays and turtles.
4 SMOOTH SAILING
Sailing in this part of Queensland is superb, thanks to the shelter of the Great Barrier Reef. Take a sailing lesson, skipper your own bareboat yacht or book a relaxing tour where all you need to do is enjoy the view. For a more secluded escapade, hire a kayak and explore hidden coves.
5 LAND ADVENTURES
Onshore visitors will love shopping at Airlie Beach on the mainland. The Whitsundays region also has incredible seafood, whether served fried and wrapped in newspaper or as five-star dining. Most of the islands, particularly those that are uninhabited, have exquisite hikes. Or you could simply relax on the beach.