The Whitsundays are 74 tropical islands scattered through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, off the Queensland coast. Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway: most Whitsunday tours leave from Port of Airlie, and the islands, reefs and beaches are a short sail, raft ride or flight away.
The big drawcard is Whitehaven Beach, a long stretch of white sand which glistens when the much-vaunted Aussie sun shines upon it. Beyond the beach, things to do in Whitsundays cover reef snorkelling, Heart Reef scenic flights, overnight sailing trips, turtle kayaking, Hamilton Island day trips and skydiving over the coast.
