Family-friendly holidays in The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays
Explore the Whitsundays with your family
With over 70 islands scattered across the warm waters of the Coral Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef a short hop away, the Whitsunday Islands are one of Australia’s most idyllic getaway destinations.
Airlie Beach serves as the gateway to this aquatic wonderland, with a seemingly endless variety of kids activities and family attractions to keep everyone entertained.
Beyond the beautiful scenery, The Whitsundays has a variety of accommodation options, from luxe island resorts to holiday parks with waterslides and classic campgrounds.
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Tween tested, parent approved
While many visitors head straight to the islands, we decide to check out what the mainland has on offer. From Airlie Beach to Bowen, what we discover is magic!
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Your Whitsundays family travel guide
Fly into the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine, near Airlie Beach, or to Great Barrier Reef Airport (also known as Hamilton Island Airport) – the gateways to Queensland’s beautiful Whitsunday Islands, including Daydream, Hamilton and Hayman – and the marine marvel that is our very own World Heritage-Listed Great Barrier Reef!
No trip to the Whitsundays is complete without a day trip to Whitehaven Beach and time spent beneath the water’s surface exploring the Great Barrier Reef. There’s a family-friendly Great Barrier Reef tour to suit kids of all ages, from snorkelling safaris to glass-bottom boat cruises.
The year-round tropical climate is perfect for active families wanting to explore both above and below the water, and with a wide range of activities and accommodation, there’s something for everyone.
Airlie Beach
A small town with a big village atmosphere, Airlie Beach is the perfect spot to access the amazing Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The lively mainland port of Shute Harbour is just 10 minutes away. The village has enjoyed a spate of recent developments that have turned this easy going seaside town, once a haven for international backpackers, into a serious cosmopolitan destination.
Bowen
One hour north-west from Airlie Beach is the historic town of Bowen, established in 1861 and one of North Queensland’s undiscovered gems. Palm-fringed beaches line the coastline in places such as Horseshoe Bay, and there are some great short walks to take in the coastal views. It’s also the birthplace of the much-loved Kensington Pride mango.
Stop at Le Sorelle Coffee House for the best coffee in the Whitsundays, then feast on freshly-caught fish and chips for dinner at Bird’s Fish Bar, perfectly finished off with locally-made mango sorbet. To really explore all Bowen has to offer, spend a night or two at the beachfront Rose Bay Resort. One and two bedroom apartments are ideal for families.
Daydream Island
A 30-minute catamaran ride from Airlie Beach transports you to Daydream Island Resort, an island getaway whose name really says it all. Unique to this island is the world’s largest, man-made coral reef – Living Reef – where kids will thrill seeing, and feeding, resident sharks, stingrays and barramundi.
Their Kids Club has all sorts of activities, from arts and crafts, to outdoor games, as well as fish feeding, treasure hunts and coconut bowls. They can learn more about the island’s marine life by taking part in the resort’s Reef Ranger program.
For the grownups, there’s a plethora of free activities for all ages, such as pilatés, rainforest walks, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, mini golf and educational marine talks. or the opportunity to spend an evening at their open-air cinema watching a family classic.
Hamilton Island
Getting around this car-free island is easy, with the complimentary Island Shuttle Service or hire a buggy! Explore the island and its range of activities or join a tour to discover this beautiful region of Queensland.
Relax in large rooms and enjoy magnificent views in the four-star Reef View Hotel or the self-contained Palm Bungalows. There is also a wide range of holiday homes to suit families, ranging from ultra-luxury to comfortable and casual.
Hayman Island
Hayman Island is the northernmost of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef setting is perfect for snorkelling, boating, diving and every water-based activity imaginable. The InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef (formerly One&Only Hayman Island Resort) is the five-star, family-friendly luxury resort that makes this place extra special.
Family accommodation in the Whitsundays
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
Set across 26 acres of sub-tropical gardens in Airlie Beach is the award-winning BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, a holiday park with everything from unpowered campsites to powered caravan sites and luxury cabins. They have the largest resort pool in the area, a kids playground, tennis, mini golf and a jumping pillow, and a mega water park.
The water park has 13 slides of different heights and speeds which are geared towards kids (and adults) of all ages, together with water features for toddlers and a 30cm splash pool, coloured to reflect the kaleidoscope of corals in the Great Barrier Reef. There’s also an on-site Kids Club and outdoor movies screened during the school holidays.
Daydream Island Resort
Whichever airport you arrive at, you will be transported to Daydream Island Resort across stunning blue waters in just 30 minutes. Daydream Island has family suites featuring two rooms with interconnecting doors and balcony views across the gardens or ocean, as well as relaxed restaurants offering something to suit all tastes. Don’t miss their incredible Living Reef (the world’s largest man-made coral reef lagoon) where you can hand-feed stingrays, sharks and barramundi.
Reefsuites at Reefworld
Reefsuites Underwater Hotel is a one-of-a-kind adventure on Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays. Here, you can sleep ‘underwater’ on the Great Barrier Reef in a king-double or twin-single room, waking up to the sight of colourful tropical fish outside your floor-to-ceiling viewing window.
Start your trip with a high-speed cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, then enjoy lunch on the reef and the chance to snorkel, swim or dive to your hearts’ content. When the day visitors depart mid-afternoon, the true magic begins: a stunning sunset over the Great Barrier Reef, dinner under a blanket of stars and the chance to settle into Australia’s most unique accommodation for an unforgettable night’s rest. The experience welcomes children aged six years and up.
Getting there
Air: There are two airports servicing the Whitsundays – Hamilton Island Airport on Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine, about 40 minutes from Airlie Beach by shuttle bus. Rental cars are also available at the airport.
Rail: The overnight Spirit of Queensland train travels the coast four times a week, stopping at Proserpine Station with RailBus connections to Airlie Beach. The trip takes about 16 hours from Brisbane.
Getting around
Cruise Whitsundays operates ferries between the Whitsunday Coast and Hamilton Island, as well as other island resorts and tourist attractions like Whitehaven Beach.
Best time to visit
The Whitsunday region enjoys a tropical climate year-round. Even in winter, the days are mild and sunny (averaging around 24°C), while summers are hot and humid. Many prefer to visit in late winter or early spring, before the main stinger season (from October to May).
Good to know
- The North Queensland sun can be very harsh, so be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly and carry enough water.
- Most day trips are long, big days – early starts and late returns. Packing lots of snacks helps to keep energy levels high.
- Full-body Stinger Suits are provided on many water-based day trips and excursions.
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Opening image: Explore Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. © Tourism and Events Queensland