When Lieutenant James Cook discovered the Whitsundays in 1770, he probably wished he could sneak off the ship and spend the rest of his days basking on the white sandy beaches among their swaying palm trees. He could have spent a lifetime swimming among brightly coloured fish, dining on tropical fruits, watching beautiful birds, and trekking the many different landscapes of the islands.

Surely if he could have just turned back the clock, history would have been very different.

Fortunately for us, word spread about the beauty of the Whitsundays and today they are a paradise which is easily enjoyed by all.  

Top 10 things to do
If you don’t have enough time or money to do all of these activities during your trip, you’ll just have to return to the islands and keep trying. But be warned; it will take more than a lifetime to experience everything the Whitsundays have to offer!

1. Rent a yacht and sail between the islands. The water will be calm, the views spectacular, and you can always dock and explore the islands. Drop your anchor and go for a swim, but be sure to bring your snorkel and mask so that you can truly immerse yourself in the experience.
2. Bring a large blanket to a secluded beach for a late night picnic. Stare up at the night sky and marvel at the clarity of the zillions of stars, free from the light pollution of the cities. Count all the satellites that go by, and wonder if you are being watched…
3. Take a whale-watching tour. Humpbacks are truly huge, weighing up to 40 tonnes, and it is so exciting to watch them play in the ocean. Kids and adults alike will be totally enthralled.
4. Hold hands and run along the beach at sunset. It’s cliched, but you’ll secretly be glad you did it.
5. SCUBA dive as much as possible. If you’ve never tried it, book an introductory dive with one of the many organizations on the islands. There is so much to see, and so many great dive locations. There are SCUBA tours with boat dives and shore dives, or whichever island you are on will likely have diving spots as well. Just remember to dive with a buddy and avoid flying for at least 24 hours after your dive.
6. See all 74 islands in a single day. Seriously! Do this by booking a scenic flight. Some of these tours are amazing – for example, several have floatplanes or helicopters that gently land near secluded beaches so you can enjoy a picnic and a snorkel before you return to your hotel.
7. Try all the water sports you can – parasailing, water-skiing, banana boat riding, kayaking...the Whitsundays are a holiday resort heaven with all the trimmings.
8. Arrange to be dropped off at a secluded island for a romantic, completely private, picnic.
9. Pack a backpack and go bushwalking. The islands are each unique, with many different flora, fauna and geological formations.
10. Relax on a beach with a book and enjoy a holiday where you leave feeling truly rested.

When to go
This region is popular year-round, although the best weather is usually in autumn and spring. If you’d like to go whale watching, try July to September.

How to get there
If you are fortunate enough to have access to a yacht, you can really arrive in style. Contact your island of choice and ask about their moorings. For most of us, the question is land or air, and your best bet is to get to Proserpine, where you will then be able to catch coaches, ferries or charter yachts to get to your chosen beaches or islands. If you plan to stay on Hamilton Island, it has an airport of its own which is serviced by Qantas and Virgin Blue. There are train services to Proserpine from Brisbane or Cairns several times per week, as well as daily coach services. If you plan to drive, the Bruce Highway will provide a smooth ride from the north or south.

Accommodation
Picture yourself sipping champagne on the secluded beach of your self-contained vacation home, or snuggling up in the sleeping quarters of a private yacht. Families and groups can rent live-aboard boats, villas and suites large enough for everyone to be happy, while couples and singles find plenty of appealing options; like luxury hotel rooms, penthouses, bed and breakfasts and smaller yachts to enjoy. The Whitsundays have some seriously tempting accommodation options, and they are all available at TakeABreak.com.au  

Ideal length of visit
You’ll never want to leave the Whitsundays, so what really matters is how long you can take a break. There’s something for everyone on these islands, so whether you want to curl up on a quiet beach with a book and enjoy the lapping of the water, pack a picnic and trek the islands, or rent a yacht and sail, there is plenty to keep you wanting more.

Further information
The Whitsunday Shire Council offers information and statistics about the local towns, beaches and islands.

Whitsundaytourism provides loads of useful tips about things to do and places to see.

Kylie-Jane Degeling - Author
Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide,Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a frequent rotating basis. 

Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveler, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.”

Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.