Official Language:
English
|
Currency:
Australian Dollar
|
Population:
Approximately 18,300 calll Whitsunday Islands home
|
Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Whitsunday Islands: The climate is tropical. The climate is moderated all year round by breezes from the warm Pacific Ocean. The water temperature varies slightly throughout the year between 68-72°F/20-22°C. Summer daytime maximum temperatures average 86°F/30°C. For nights, the average is around 72°F/22°C. In winter, it's just a little milder. Daytime averages are around 77°F/25°C. Nights average around 63°F/17°C. Seasons are directly opposite to those in North America. Summer is 'officially' December, January, February. Winter is June, July, August. Whether you're escaping a breathless summer or a freezing winter, you only need to pack light clothes and a hat. (You can pick up your SPF 15 + Sunscreen when you arrive.)
|
|
|
|
Port: Cid Harbour
The Whitsundays are a group of 70 or so islands located in 700 square miles between the coast and Great Barrier Reef, in The Whitsunday passage. Prosperine, 700 miles from Brisbane, is the nearest coastal town to the Islands and many holiday transfers originate here. Countless superlatives have been lauded on the Whitsundays. The views one sees in the brochures whether it is the turquoise sees, beautiful sweeping beaches, lush coral gardens, exotic highly coloured birds will all actually look better in the stunning reality of the Whitsundays. To preserve this natural treasure as carefully as possible only six or so of the islands have been given over for holiday resort development which range in standard from family orientated to the truly luxurious. They are Hayman, five star luxury, Daydream, South Molle, Hamilton, Long Island, Brampton which are all to a good family standard. The Whitsunday Coast on the mainland at Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Midge Point and Cannonvale also have many resort style developments.
Aborigines occupied the mainland area adjacent to the islands for thousands of years. Early European settlers turned up in the 1840's and were timber-getters, pastoralists and sugarcane farmers, who brought with them indentured Pacific Islanders to work on their plantations. While cattle farming and sugarcane remain important, the area’s main growth industry is tourism. Why?
Beautiful turquoise waters, sheltered bays, sandy beaches, coral reefs and year-round warm weather bring people from all over Australia and overseas, and the holiday emphasis is on water, particularly boating, diving, snorkelling and fishing. Several professional operators take tourists out from the mainland and the islands in search of game fish such as marlin. Tourists can also hire crewed or bareboat yachts and cruisers
Whitsunday Islands consist of a group of at least 70 and are probably the best known and most developed of the Great Barrier Reef islands. This group of islands was named by Captain Cook who sailed through this area on July 3rd of 1770. Scattered on both sides of the Whitsunday Passage, and within 50 km of Shute Harbour. The Great Barrier Reef is at least 75 miles away from Shute Harbour. Many of the Whitsunday islands are National Parks.
Whitsunday Island is one off the many uninhabited islands within this group and is quite often referred to as the "Jewel in the Whitsunday's Crown". Cruise passengers will enjoy a stroll along the endless pure white sands of Whitehaven Beach aside the blue waters of the Whitsunday passage. You will find yourself in an unforgettable experience.
From late November up to January, you will have the chance to see 6 of the 7 species of sea turtles in the world.
|
|
Attractions |
 |
 |
Conway National Park:
Home to rain forest and mangroves. Keep your eyes open for the giant hairy leaved stinging tree!
Beaches:
Club Crocodile - Airlie Beach
On Whitsunday Islands you will also find sailing, jet skiing, aqua biking, hiking and bungee jumping!
|
|
More Information |
|
|
|
Phone: (07) 4946 1354
Whitsunday Islands & Coast Tourist Centre
Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
Queensland 4802
Web:http://www.australianexplorer.com/tourist_information_centres_queensland.htm
|
|
