The 10 Coolest Places to Visit Along the Whitsunday Coast

Located in northern Queensland, the Whitsunday Coast is home to small outback towns, tropical islands, luxury resorts and backpacker hotspots. If you’re heading to the Whitsunday Coast on an Australian east coast road trip, here are 10 cool places we recommend visiting.

Airlie Beach has a reputation for being a playground for backpackers visiting Australia. It may be a small town, but it’s brimming with hostels, resorts and restaurants. It is also the best place to base yourself for exploring both the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Take day trips from Airlie Beach to cool places like Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island and Hardy Reef. Combining these attractions with Airlie Beach’s warm tropical year-round temperatures, it’s no wonder this Whitsunday Coast town is one of Australia’s top tourist destinations.

Airlie Beach, QLD, Australia

Home to a commercial airport, streets with no cars and luxurious resorts, Hamilton Island is one of the coolest places in the Whitsundays. Things to do on the island include swimming at the numerous public pools or Catseye Beach; hiking (Passage Peak is a popular track); taking to the water with a paddleboard, snorkel or catamaran; seeing the sunset from One Tree Hill; and teeing off at Hamilton Island Golf Club on neighbouring Dent Island. Finish a night on Hamilton Island at one of its exclusive restaurants, like Bommie or Long Pavilion.

Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia

Bowen became famous when the Baz Luhrmann movie, Australia, filmed there in 2007. But besides being a Hollywood backdrop, Bowen is home to eight impressive beaches, fringing reef and friendly country hospitality. You can literally walk off the beach and start immediately snorkelling along fringing coral reef in Bowen. For scuba divers, there’s a WWII landing craft lying underwater off Queens Beach, as well as Holbourne and Middle Islands offshore. For impressive Whitsunday Coast views, head to the lookout on Flagstaff Hill.

Bowen, QLD, Australia

The most northerly Whitsunday Island and the closest to the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island is home to One & Only, a luxurious private resort. The island has everything: the Hayman Spa, an entertainment centre, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, watersport rentals and even a wedding chapel. Spend your time relaxing by one of the two pools, or be adventurous and go snorkelling, diving or hiking.

Hayman Island, QLD, Australia

If you want to experience both the Australian Outback and the Great Barrier Reef in one visit, head to the Whitsunday Coast. Collinsville is a small historic mining town inland from Bowen, with a population of just 1,500. When in Collinsville, go for a walk down the main street to see the Pit Pony bronze statue, several mining-oriented murals and the interactive displays at The Coalface Experience. A visit to an Aussie country town isn’t complete without a pub meal either, so head to the Pit Pony Tavern or Bowen River Hotel and tuck in.

Collinsville, QLD, Australia

Daydream Island is a popular, family-friendly island resort in the Whitsundays. It’s home to three restaurants, five bars, swimming pools, a man-made outdoor aquarium called the Living Reef, and fringing reef just a quick snorkel from the beach. There are watersport rentals, mini golf, a kids club, an outdoor cinema and award-winning spa available at Daydream Island Resort as well. Fortunately, Daydream Island is also one of the closest islands to the mainland – so you don’t have to go far to arrive in paradise.

Daydream Island, QLD, Australia