Whitsunday Guide - Whitsundays Guide - Accommodation - Attractions.

A BIG THANK YOU

to Judi Dunn and all of the cruise ship volunteers that have been working tirelessly to greet all of the people coming off the ships. Below are the names of the volunteers who have given their time over the past 12 months (all 36 of them). Some have been doing it for years, others have only just started in the past month: Amanda March, Angeles Alfonso, Carole Brauner, Carolyn Williams, Chris Rees, Doug Hillary, Edith Forse, Eric Loft, Faye Garland, Gay Bowden, Graham Wyatt, Gwen Jackson, Helen Loft, Helen O'Keefe, Ingrid Maring, Jackie Black, Janice Davis, John Powell, Julie Adriaans, Cathy Meallin, Keith Beetham, Keith Dunn, Kossy Halemai, Liz Welch, Margaret Moulding, Michael Thomas, Mike Connor, Sandra Hardy, Sue Bowen, Sylvia Smith, Therese Boote, Tony Dunn, Trish Rundle, Wendy Downes, Yvonne Chaloner.

As from 29th June it has been announced that Cruise Whitsundays will take over operations at Hardy Reef and the Hamilton Island ferry services from Shute Harbour and Abel Point. The acquisition of vessels 'Sunrise' and 'Charmer' will enable the company to cover the additional services required. The departure points for ferry services will remain until such time as the new Port of Airlie facilities are operational.

Departing daily from Abel Point to The Great Barrier Reef is Cruise Whitsunday's vessel Seaflight. On her way she gives passengers a great view of Hayman Island as she waits offshore to pick up the island's contingent. A day on the Queensland Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsundays is an unforgettable experience.

Check out the Big Mango at the Bowen Info centre 4klms.south of the town and remember to pick up a map. The Big Mango represents the delicious fruit which carries the name sake of the town 'Bowen Mango'. The town boasts 7 of the most beautiful beaches found anywhere. Horshoe Bay is probably the most well known, Grays Beach the most picturesque, but Rose Bay is our favourite spot out of all of them.

Bowen lies approx. 60 miles north of Airlie Beach and is renowned for it's beautiful unspoilt beaches and sparkling azure waters.

Mullers Lagoon

situated in the centre of the town, is a superb botanical garden and wetland habitat, home to about 176 species of bird life.Throughout the centre there are 25 historical murals that depict the diverse history of Bowen from early days to the present. Tourism Bowen hosts a guided walking tour featuring the Bowen murals every Wednesday morning and a more in depth look into Bowen's history can be retraced at the Bowen Historical Museum.

Activities.

Play a round of golf and have lunch and enjoy an icy cold beer in the clubhouse restaurant or amble up to the lookout at Flagstaff Hill for the scenic views. Snorkle the magnificent fringing reefs that abound the area or take a fishing trip. Try windsurfing or sailing in the sparkling waters surrounding the town or just settle down and relax and listen to the birds singing in Mullers Lagoon. Staying in town or just on a day trip, Bowen has plenty to offer the visitor.

Whitsunday Island

is the largest island in the Whitsundays and is 100% National Park.Kept in pristine condition, there are no resort facilities here, but there is a camping site. Visitor numbers to the island are quite significant as several tour operators run trips to the world famous Whitehaven Beach. This beach is probably one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

Lindeman island

is the southernmost island in the group and is about 1 hour from Shute Harbour. Nature walks reveal lots of varieties of flora and fauna on the island. Windsurfing and snorkelling are popular off the beach , and the island also has a 9 hole golf course. In the cool of the evening you can take advantage of the 5 floodlit tennis courts and follow by visiting the nightclub on the island.

Hamilton Island

has a variety of accommodation types on the island, ranging from The Palm Bungalows, through to Private Residences. At this point in time the north side of the island is being developed to accommodate a 6 star resort. Visitors will be transported by helicopter to their own private quarters. In the main resort, guests will find that on any given day there are at least 40 different types of activities that they can participate in. Buggies are the form of transport on the island ,or you can take advantage of the free shuttle service that operates throughout the day to all parts of the island. Fantasea runs reef trips from the island every day , and also trips to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. On the south side of the island there is a Go Cart Track, Rifle Range, and a Golf Driving Range. Plenty of things to keep you occupied here.

Long Island

is blessed with 3 resorts.The original resort was Happy Bay, and was completely transformed in the 80's, and is now Club Crocodile Resort. The Resort has a wide range of facilities ,and several walking tracks. Situated 20 mins from the mainland, the island has a steady flow of daytrippers from nearby Shute Harbour.

South of the main resort are The Eco Resort and Peppers Palm Bay. Both Exclusive, and designed for the folks who want to get away from it all.These resorts have no televisions or telephones in the rooms. The Eco Resort is on the South side of the island and is only accessed by helicopter. Peppers can be accessed by boat but owners must be escorted in through the narrow channel into the lagoon.

Daydream Island was called West Molle in the old days. Back in 1930 a couple from Sydney set of to voyage round the world in their yacht Daydream. On arriving at The Whitsundays they fell in love with the area and susequently bought the island from it's owner and stayed. The island has a Tropical Pool stocked with fish , and live coral also collected from this area. Plenty of day trippers visit this island, and they have a separate area set aside from the main resort. On the West side of the island there is a coral beach called Sunlovers. Just wade out a few metres and you can see the various coloured tropical fish up close.Try snorkelling and get a view of the coral that is close to the beach. This island has a real tropical flavour.

South Molle Island in the long distant past was frequently visited by Queensland Aborigines. Their interest was in the basaltic rocks that are abundant on the island. These were used for making primitive cutting implements and axes.Take a walk on the track to Spion Kop, and you will see the evidence of a stone quarry . In the mornings on South Molle , fish feeding is carried out by staff on the pier. The island's guests are housed in units in the tropical gardens or on the beach front. Several walking tracks can be encountered, plus a 9 hole golf course. Water sports are plentiful, and reef trips are available from the island every day of the week. Ferry services from this island are to Abel Point Marina, not Shute Harbour.

Hayman Island is located at the northern area of The Whitsundays. Originally opened in the 50's it was totally refurbished in 1985. The resulting change elevated the resort to exclusive membership of The Leading Hotels in the World. The garden areas are magnificently maintained and are adorned with giant Grecian Urns, Satues and Fountains. Plenty of watersports here, and several restaurants for the culinary artistes. Guests are transported by the island's luxury vessel from Hamilton Island Airport to their guest quarters with 5 star service all the way. If you can afford it, do it.

Hook island coral viewing is splendid. There is an underwater observatory here and a small resort with camping facilities. The island has some of the highest peaks in The Whitsundays, and is the second largest of the Whitsunday Islands. There are many beaches around Hook, and private yachts tend to visit regularly as the coral is probably the best in the area. Off the main tourist track ,as Fantasea the main ferry operator does not have scheduled trips there. A lot of locals tend to go to the beach areas of Hook Island to get away from the maddening crowds.

Living in The Whitsundays at Shute Harbour, Liz and I watch the continuous traffic emerging from Shute Harbour heading out every day to The Whitsunday Islands and beyond. Back in the early eighties, Frank Stephens skippered 'Banjo Paterson' on the first passenger trips from Shute Harbour to Hamilton Island for her owner, and founder of Fantasea Cruises Dave Hutchens. Fantasea Cruises has new owners now and 'Banjo Paterson' still operates out of Hamilton Island. Frank still sails The Whitsundays on his catamaran 'Chilli Frog' but strictly for pleasure now. We will be aboard with Frank and his wife Val for the Fun Race on 6th Sept.
The Lifestyle in The Whitsundays is far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, but there are plenty of things to do and places to go, and we recommend a visit to the area will be one of the most rewarding experiences that anyone could possibly wish for. If you have any questions regarding a visit , just e-mail us and fire away.We will be pleased to accommodate your enquiries.