| Named by Captain James Cook in recognition of a | | | | its own right. With its own airport, ten restaurants, |
| religious festival, there does indeed seem to be | | | | six take away outlets and a growing number of |
| something spiritual about the Whitsunday Islands. The | | | | lodges and resorts, this is a holiday destination with a |
| peaks of mountains drowned by the rising ocean in | | | | completely different feel to anything on the mainland. |
| ages gone by, the 74 islands lie off the Queensland | | | | There is an unlimited amount of activities to pursue |
| Coast like jewels in an azure blue crown, attracting | | | | including hiking in the forested hills, waterskiing, |
| holiday makers from all over the globe keen to | | | | windsurfing, kayaking or just enjoying some r and r |
| tantalise their senses with the magic of the | | | | at the resort pools. |
| Whitsundays. Coated in thick forest and bordered by | | | | The most luxurious of the islands is undoubtedly |
| pristine white beaches, most of the islands are | | | | Hayman Island, a place where guests enter a world |
| remote and untouched, falling under the protective | | | | of complete pampering. This is one of the leading |
| auspices of the National Parks. A number of them | | | | resort islands in the world, and no expense has been |
| have been turned into resort islands, where most of | | | | spared in turning it into a holiday experience like no |
| the tourists congregate. The remoter areas and the | | | | other. Even the pool is colossal, measuring in at seven |
| large tracts of sea seperating the islands can be | | | | times the size of an Olympic Pool. But luxury like this |
| explored on sailing charters, one of the most popular | | | | comes at a price, and at the five star Hayman Island, |
| forms of recreational pursuit in the Whitsundays. | | | | that price is high. |
| Nothing beats cruising serenely over the water, in | | | | Another popular island, especially amongst families, is |
| complete silence except for the sails flapping in the | | | | Daydream. Although one of the smaller islands, there |
| wind, gazing out at the various islands that float past. | | | | is lots going on here and at the Island Resort the |
| Sailing trips in the Whitsundays take on many forms | | | | emphasis is on family fun. There is an outdoor cinema |
| and go for different lengths. There are ones which | | | | showing the latest movies, a 19 hole mini golf course |
| specifically involve passengers and teach them the | | | | and a living coral reef in an outdoor aquarium. As this |
| basics of sailing, and there are others where you just | | | | is Daydream Island Resort and Spa, there are all the |
| relax and enjoy the scenery. Some go for a few | | | | spa facilities here too, so enjoy a massage, a sauna |
| days, and involve camping excursions, on others you | | | | or a luxurious jacuzzi. And of course there is the |
| just go out for a single day. One of the most | | | | innate beauty of the island to enjoy too, with |
| common destinations is the glorious Whitehaven | | | | secluded beaches and lush rainforest all within easy |
| Beach, on Whitsunday Island. This beach is so | | | | access of the comfortable hotel rooms. |
| dazzlingly bright it is rumoured it can be seen from | | | | Another island that is big on activities is Lindemann |
| space- so dont forget your sunnies! The added bonus | | | | Island. Owned by Club Med, this is the perfect place |
| of visiting here is that Hill Inlet lies at the northern | | | | to get away from it all and enter a world of |
| end of the beach, where white sands and blue | | | | hassle-free escapism. With the full range of club med |
| waters seamlessly blend together to create a | | | | activities free to guests, this is the kind of island you |
| beautiful sight. | | | | arrive at and never want to leave. There is a kids |
| The major resort islands are connected by a | | | | club that caters to the under 13 year olds, so while |
| network of ferries that leave from Shute Harbour. | | | | you pass the morning with a round of golf on the |
| Shute Harbour is about ten kilometres out of Airlie | | | | nine hole course the kids are well looked after. |
| Beach, the small coastal town seen as the gateway | | | | Theres even a flying trapeze and a circus school |
| to the Whitsundays. An abundance of backpacker | | | | here! Its a bushwalkers paradise too, with over 19 |
| lodges and bars have made Airlie very much a party | | | | kilometres of well maintained pathways through thick |
| town, so it is often with relief that people escape to | | | | bushland and up high hills. Mt Oldfield offers |
| the quiet of the islands. The largest resort island is | | | | spectacular views from its peak, which stands at 212 |
| Hamilton Island, which is practically a miniature town in | | | | metres above sea level. |