Things To Do In Whitsunday Islands Australia
When you visit the Whitsunday Islands there are certain things to do that you really should not miss. It is one of the most amazing parts of Australia, so here is the list of what you really must do, from Whitehaven Beach to the secret spots only locals know.
Top 5 Things To Do In Whitsunday Islands Australia
If you only have time for a few things, these are the top 5 picks you really should not miss. They can all be done on a budget, even if you are only there for a few days.
| # | Thing to do | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go to Whitehaven Beach | A day trip from Airlie Beach, such as ZigZag Whitsundays with about 4 hours on the sand |
| 2 | See the swirling sands at Hill Inlet | From the Hill Inlet Lookout on a day tour, or from the air |
| 3 | Visit Cedar Creek Waterfall | Inland from Airlie Beach, or on the Falls To Paradise tour |
| 4 | Walk the Airlie Creek walk | A short, free walk from town |
| 5 | Swim at the Airlie Beach Lagoon | Free, in the middle of town |
If you have the time, it really is a must to visit the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel there too. It will blow your mind.
Hill Inlet looks best at low tide, when the sand and water make the swirling patterns. Only Ocean Rafting can get into the inlet at all tides, and the other tours see it around mid tide. For the best view of all, take a scenic flight at low tide.
Popular Whitsundays Tours And Activities
Boat rides are the most popular thing to do in the Whitsundays, and the best way to see the sea life and reach the Great Barrier Reef. Some tours last half a day, some a full day and some are overnight. All leave from Airlie Beach.
Full dayOn saleZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour
Visits South Whitehaven Beach and New South Whitehaven Lookout.
- Unlimited transfers between boat and Whitehaven Beach
- Ticket 1: Whitehaven Beach all day (no snorkelling)
- Ticket 2: Whitehaven Beach plus snorkelling
- All tickets travel on the same boat and tour
- Snorkel tickets include wetsuit and snorkelling equipment
Full dayVery popularOcean Rafting
Fast boat tours to North Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout.
- Two different tour options
- Visits North Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
- Exclusive Hill Inlet swirling sand access
- Snorkelling plus equipment
- Fast boat with courtesy pickup
Scenic flightHeartReef
1 Hour Scenic Flight To Heart Reef
Scenic flight over the Heart Reef + Great Barrier Reef + Whitehaven swirling sands
- Flies over the Great Barrier Reef and the famous Heart Reef
- Whitehaven Beach and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet
- Whitsunday Islands and Airlie Beach
- Small numbers, 13 people maximum
- Modern, comfortable plane with a guaranteed window seat
- Reserve Now and Pay Later with Viator
Day tourFalls To Paradise
Cedar Creek Waterfall bus tour with lunch at Coral Sea Resort.
- Visit Cedar Creek Waterfall
- Lunch at Coral Sea Resort
- Morning tea
- 10 seater bus with tour guide
- Multi-award winning tour operator
- All-inclusive price
6 hoursCrocodile Safari
Saltwater crocodile spotting on a Proserpine River cruise.
- Proserpine River cruise to see saltwater crocodiles
- Open-air wagon ride for a unique wildlife experience
- Traditional Australian bush tucker, damper and billy tea
- Delicious Aussie BBQ lunch
- Small group of 30 guests with an informative and friendly guide
1 hourOn sale1 Hour Jetski Tour
Guided jetski tour of the Airlie Beach coastline and bays.
- Brand-new eco-friendly Sea-Doo jet ski
- Professional local guide
- Safety briefing and equipment provided
- 60 minutes of guided adventure exploring the Airlie Beach coastline and bays
- 20% off with promo code WD20 at checkout
Things To Do On The Whitsunday Islands
| Thing to do | Detail |
|---|---|
| Whitehaven Beach | About 7 km of white silica sand on Whitsunday Island. Day tours leave Airlie Beach every day. |
| Hill Inlet | The swirling sands, seen from the lookout above the north end of Whitehaven Beach |
| A boat ride to the Great Barrier Reef | The Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour or Viper for the outer reef, or an island snorkel on a day tour |
| Catseye Beach | The main beach on Hamilton Island, in front of the resort |
| Hamilton Island Marina | Shops, cafes and restaurants on the waterfront |
| Hamilton Island wildlife | Wild Life Hamilton Island, a wildlife park on the island |
| Passage Peak | The walk to the highest point on Hamilton Island |
| Island ferry hopping | Ferries between Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Hamilton Island. See island hopping. |
| Jetski tour around the Whitsundays | A guided tour on the water from Airlie Beach, such as the 1 Hour Jetski Tour |
| Scenic flight | Over Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on the 1 Hour Scenic Flight To Heart Reef |
Things To Do In Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is an absolute must-see. You can catch boat rides from there, and there are so many things to do in town too, so it is a good idea to stay at least a few nights.
| Thing to do | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stay a few nights in Airlie Beach | The base for the islands, with most tours leaving from here. See Airlie Beach accommodation. |
| Go on Whitsundays tours | Half day, full day and overnight, all from Airlie Beach. See day tours and overnight tours. |
| Airlie Beach Lagoon | A free swimming lagoon on the foreshore |
| Bicentennial Walkway | The boardwalk along the waterfront, where turtles are often spotted |
| Saturday morning market | On the Airlie Beach foreshore |
| Rainforest walks | In Conway National Park, close to town, including the guided Segway tour |
| Airlie Creek walk | A short walk from town |
| Mount Rooper walk | A bush walk in Conway National Park with a lookout over the islands |
| Cedar Creek Waterfall | Inland from Airlie Beach. Best after rain. |
| Fishing | From the shore or on a charter |
| Stand up paddle boarding | Boards for hire on Airlie Beach |
| Crocodile tour on the Proserpine River | The Crocodile Safari cruises the river to see saltwater crocodiles |
| The Australian bush north of Airlie Beach | Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay, a drive north of town |
Free Things To Do
| Free thing | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airlie Beach Lagoon | Swim in the middle of town |
| Bicentennial Walkway | Walk the waterfront and spot turtles |
| Airlie Creek walk | A short walk from town |
| Mount Rooper walk | A lookout over the islands in Conway National Park |
| Saturday morning market | Browse the stalls on the foreshore |
| Sunset | Over Pioneer Bay and the marinas |
Things To Do On A Wet Day
| Thing to do | Why on a wet day |
|---|---|
| Falls To Paradise | Cedar Creek Waterfall flows best after rain, and lunch is included |
| Crocodile Safari | A river cruise with a bush tucker lunch |
| Best Of Airlie 3 Hour Tour | A small group tour in an air-conditioned bus |
| Segway Rainforest Discovery Tour | The rainforest is at its best in the wet |
| Glass Bottom Boat Tour | See the reef without getting wet |
Secret Insider Hidden Things To Do
Some secret gems to visit that only come from living in the area.
| Insider tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Island ferry hopping | Ferries run between Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Hamilton Island resorts |
| Stand up paddle boarding | Available for hire on Airlie Beach |
| Crocodile tour on the Proserpine River | See saltwater crocodiles in the wild |
| Passage Peak, Hamilton Island | The best view on Hamilton Island |
| Bicentennial Walkway | Walk the waterfront and look for turtles |
| Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay | Quiet beaches north of Airlie Beach. dingobeach.com.au |
Things To Do In The Whitsundays Video
Things To Do In The Whitsundays FAQ
What are the top things to do in the Whitsundays?
Go to Whitehaven Beach, see the swirling sands at Hill Inlet, visit Cedar Creek Waterfall, walk the Airlie Creek walk and swim at the Airlie Beach Lagoon. If you have time, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
What can you do for free in Airlie Beach?
Swim at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, walk the Bicentennial Walkway and look for turtles, walk to the Mount Rooper lookout, browse the Saturday morning market and watch the sunset over Pioneer Bay.
What is there to do in the Whitsundays on a rainy day?
Visit Cedar Creek Waterfall, which flows best after rain, take a crocodile cruise on the Proserpine River, join a small group bus tour of the area, or ride a Segway through the rainforest.
Can you see the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach?
Not from the shore. The outer reef is a boat ride or flight away. Tours such as the Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour and Viper go there in a day, and a scenic flight passes over Heart Reef.
How many days do you need in the Whitsundays?
Three to four days covers a Whitehaven Beach day, a reef or scenic flight and time in Airlie Beach. Add two nights for an overnight sailing tour.
What is there to do on Hamilton Island?
Swim at Catseye Beach, walk up Passage Peak, visit Wild Life Hamilton Island and the marina, or take a tour to Whitehaven Beach or the reef from the island.
More Whitsundays Information
Sources
Tour details from each tour page on this site and the operators. Local knowledge from Nath J, an Airlie Beach local since 2001. Checked October 2026.
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