Whitsunday Islands Travel Forum

Heading up to the Whitsundays sometime in the middle of march. There is four of us my wife, 5 and 6 year oldboy and girl, and myself. What would be a the best places to see, probaly stay one week ,Very flexible since, and our kids are mellow, they don't need constent attention. Budget minded, but willing to bust out time to time,
Mahalo Bingem

Hiya Mahalo, and welcome to vt. Hope you stick around because this site is fun!
I would suggest to fly into Hamilton Island. The view over the islands as you bank right for the landing is awesome! Hamilton Island is a nice central place to stay in order to explore the Whitsundays. When we went, we stayed for a week on Hamilton Island and a week at Airly Beach on the Mainland. The week at Airly Beach was nice, but I totally recommond Hamilton Island. You can do island hopping from there and also do diving, snorkling, the yellow sub day out and a day on the Raggamuffin, an ex racing yaucht. You can visit my pages for more info.....also Mikebb will probably drop by. His pages are great too! And also have a squiz at Couplesynergy's pages. Enjoy your trip and don't forget to share your pix here on vt when you get back home!!
Cheers, Ann :o)

Hi We recently had 4 days on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, it was fantastic. We also visited Airlie Beach on the mainland, Daydream Island and Long Island in the Whitsundays. I suggest you vie my Hamilton, Airlie Beach and Long Island pages with plenty of photos you will get a good idea of what is on offer.
Good Luck, Mike

Hi Mahalo
I live in the Whitsundays. I recommend that you stay on the mainland and just visit Hamilton Island for one day (great pizzas at Manta Ray Cafe on Hamilton Island - easy to get to Hamilton Island for the day via regular ferries).

Your children will love the lagoon on the mainland, recommend dinner/lunch/brekfast at either Capers (Airlie Beach Hotel) or the Coral Sea Resort. Plus check out the free BBQ facilities at the lagoon and the beaches (just bring your food and eat out in the open). Check out the local markets on Saturday morning in Airlie (great fruit).

You should hire a car for the week and do the following:
Picnic spots at Cannonvale beach, Conway beach (also visit Cedar Creek Falls);

Day trips North (Bowen, Dingo Beach, Hydeaway Bay, Cape Gloucester Eco-Resort)

Day trips South (Eungella and Finch Hatton Gorge) (about 100km South) to visit rainforests and drive to Cape Hillsborough (go early and you'll see kangaroos on the beach - pack a picnic).

Great Fish & Chips in Cannonvale - Buck's Seafood!

Good old-fashioned style pubs in Proserpine (30 km inland from Airlie).

Like Hawaii March is still the wet season so it's better to be able to drive because if it's raining in Airlie you can drive to Dingo Beach or Bowen and be guaranteed that it's not raining.

Check out a few accommodation places on the web:
Club Crocodile is a regular family favourite, affordable and close to the action but quiet too. Coral Sea Resort is more luxurious. Airlie Beach Hotel is also good quality and central. Contact Tourism Whitsundays: http://www.whitsundaytourism.com/

If you want luxury, book one-night standby at Hayman Island.

You must go to the outer Great Barrier reef (either book via Cruise Whitsundays or Fantasea). Day trip to Whitehaven Beach is a must - recommend Whitehaven Express.

Can you e-mail me must dos in Hawaii and good, affordable accommodation as my parents may be doing a one-week stop-over there.


kategallagher2000@hotmail.com

email is:
kategallagher2005@hotmail.com

Hi guys, With kids that age Daydream Island is a good option even for a couple of days. They had completed a major refurbishment and its ideal for families. They have a big aquarium around the main resort area where you can view coral and fish life including little sharks, clown fish, sea turtles, sting rays etc. They have a very good kids club and lots to do for parents as well. The highlight is sitting back on the beach watching a movie on the big screen at night. Hamilton is nice too but much busier and bigger so you would need to hire a golf buggy to get around from the resort to the marina area etc. I agree that the pizzas at Mantra Ray cafe are fantastic (had one 3 nights ago) but everything on the island is much more expensive compared to Airlie Beach. Have fun its a great area to visit.

Hi
Hamilton Island has a free bus service , there are 2 routes, one that goess from the Marina to various accommodation areas within the resort, the other services the resort and many other areas, this one take approx 33 minutes to cover the route and continues all day including to late at night. We used this during our 3 day stay and only hired a buggy for a bit of fun on one day. If we return I would not hire a buggy again. Have a look at my tips on bus & buggy.
Good Luck, Mike