Which Whitsunday Island is best for you?

Natasha GamraBy Natasha Gamra
hero media
Find paradise in one of these tropical oases.

The Whitsundays is your ultimate destination for relaxation, boasting over 74 stunning islands to choose from. But with so many options, how do you decide?

Each island has a unique characteristic, and our guide to five of the best islands narrows it down and will tell you which one is the right fit for you to stay. And of course, from each of these islands, you can do numerous day trips to any of the other uninhabited Whitsunday Islands.

Hamilton Island

‘Hamo’ as locals call it, is the Hugh Jackman of islands – easygoing (and easy to get to), with a smorgasbord of quality attributes. Unsurprisingly, this people-pleaser is regarded as the go-to island.

Catseye Beach Hamilton Island
Water activities depend on the tides at Catseye Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Who’s it for

Families and luxury lovers

What to do on Hamilton Island

As you would expect, there are numerous water and land-based activities available for guests of the island. Check out our list of 10 best things to do on Hamilton Island. Stand-up paddle-boarding, wakeboarding and snorkelling are all obviously on the docket. But why not skip the water one morning and rent a quad bike or go-kart to scoot around Hamo. Kids from six to fourteen can go for a guided tour with experienced instructors while you have a little bit of well-deserved R&R.

That’s just the start for families, we have compiled a list of the best things for families to do on Hamilton Island.

If there happens to be a sudden downpour, you will need a rescue remedy for the day. Island Bowling is open daily so you can play a round of nine-pin bowling (you heard that right, nine). For the pre-dinner activities, a little down the way is Mini Golf . Grab a putter and get some hole-in-ones, or head over from 6pm-8pm, where glow-in-the-dark mini golf is on the cards.

Hamilton Island packing
The island is characterised by a warm, tropical climate. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Where to stay on Hamilton Island

The first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island since 2007, The Sundays is set to welcome its first guests in autumn 2025. It’s big news for the island’s accommodation offering, tipped to be particularly popular amongst families.

For a more family-friendly destination on the island, we have put together the definitive guide to the best family accommodation on Hamilton Island.

Hamilton Island is home to Australia’s most luxurious resort, qualia. Located on the northern tip of Hamilton Island, qualia is renowned for being private, self-indulgent and catering to every guest’s whim. Save up your coins and book into the Windward Pavilions for a plunge pool overlooking the Coral Sea.

You can’t go past the Reef View Hotel . You can opt for a more affordable Reef Family Room, or head for the more deluxe Presidential Suite. You’re looking at incredible activities (tube riding, wakeboarding or water skiing), a beautiful view of the Coral Sea and a Pool Terrace restaurant serving up an epic buffet breakfast.

For upmarket apartments, the Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas are just the ticket. Right on the water at the Marina with views over to Dent Island, they have their own lagoon pool and all come with full kitchens if you want to make a family meal and not take the short stroll to the Marina’s restaurants and cafes.

For those looking for an entirely self-contained accommodation option, The Edge is a collection of holiday apartments on the island’s western tip. Just a short walk from cafes and restaurants on Front Street, this is an optimal location if you want to blend in with the locals.

Whitsunday Island

The largest of the 74 islands, this gentle giant is largely undeveloped being a national park hiding some of the prettiest campgrounds and hiking trails around.

Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island is home to Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Who’s it for

Adventure seekers

What to do on Whitsunday Island

Home to Australia’s best-voted beach Whitehaven, this island is surrounded by white sand and sparkling turquoise waters that will make anyone happily sink in. But further up in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, it’s been recommended to hike up to Hill Inlet Lookout for a breathtaking view of the white silica and constantly moving tides. You might be able to spot stingrays and sharks out in the depths of the bay.

Where to stay on Whitsunday Island

Camping grounds are the luxe accommodation on this island. Whitehaven Beach’s campground has very limited facilities, but you’re out there to be one with nature right? Luckily, they do have flushable toilets (phew), but as for showers, BBQs and generators, you’re out of luck. So be camp-smart when you’re heading to this area.

Hayman Island

She’s stylish, elegant and prefers the finer things in life. As a result, expect a five-star stay with restaurants to match.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.
Escape to paradise at the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Who’s it for

Luxury lovers with nostalgia for one of Australia’s original glamour resorts

What to do on Hayman Island

If you’re heading to Hayman sans children, do yourself a favour and check straight into the spa at the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. Book a couples massage, spend some time in the sauna and get that seaweed wrap you’ve only dreamed about up until now.

Hayman Island is surrounded by bushland, so hiking isn’t such a bad idea. Head around to Dolphin Point Lookout on the island’s northern tip. Don’t forget to bring your diving gear because here is the perfect location to spot Whitetip reef sharks and hammerheads as well as a myriad of fish.

Where to stay

The InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is your only option when staying on Hayman Island.

This 5-star resort boasts incredibly decorated rooms, a Hayman Spa, a fitness centre and multiple fine-dining restaurants. Dine in at the Amici Trattoria, Bam Bam and Aqua when you’re stomach’s rumbling.

Hayman has recently added the Hayman Residences to their accommodation options. The four-bedroom houses on the iconic Hayman Island hill have panoramic views of the Whitsundays. The piece de resistance is the private infinity edge pool.

Daydream Island

Fun and full of energy like any High-5 star, Daydream is the family-friendliest of the islands. Completely inhabited by the resort, there’s plenty to keep little ones happy from visiting the aquarium and snorkelling, to mini golf and an open-air cinema.

Daydream Island
The iconic Living Reef creates an unforgettable Whitsunday getaway for families. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Who’s it for

Families

What to do on Daydream Island

If you choose even one of the activities that the resort has up, guaranteed, you’ll have a blast. With jet-ski rentals, kayaking, rainforest walks and guided snorkel sessions, this is one busy island. Most of the activities are free or extremely affordable, so you’re saving a heap on this trip.

The resort has got you covered with fitness centres, yoga classes, trivia nights and extra beach sports if you feel like volleyball, cricket or some classic touch footy.

Where to stay on Daydream Island

Clearly, the only accommodation is at the Daydream Island Resort . With more than 240 rooms available in the resort, you can choose between suites and family rooms. Jump into the pool for an unbeatable view of the other Whitsunday Islands surrounding Daydream.

The resort has also brought in three restaurants , Graze, Infinity and Salti Restaurant & Bar. You’ve got Asian fusion, Australian classics and even a buffet with a whole heap of international cuisines.

Long Island

The quiet achiever, Long Island is one of the most underrated of the islands, hiding barefoot luxury and untouched landscapes.

Long Island The Whitsundays
Lush rainforests meet pristine beaches and turquoise waters. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Who’s it for

Adventure seekers, luxury lovers

What to do on Long Island

Basically, everything that you’ll want to do on the island, is provided by the resorts and retreats. They offer all the basics, paddle-boarding, kayaking and snorkelling. But you can also head out on pre-booked Heli-tours, day trips to other islands and short cruises.

Where to stay on Long Island

Choose between the Palm Bay Resort or the Elysian Retreat for your stay on Long Island. If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination then Palm Bay is your go-to, otherwise, if luxe, boutique vibes with gourmet meals is your aim, then Elysian all the way.

Palm Bay has beachfront villas, bures, bungalows, suites and houses up for accommodation. When staying in a Bure , it’ll be like your own special and private retreat. Relax with a good book in the deck hammock after a long day of frolicking in the ocean that’s right outside your front door. The resort offers a tonne of activities, from day spa retreats, ocean rafting, all the usual water-related ones, kayaking and snorkelling.

On Elysian, you can only stay in an oceanfront villa (uh such a hard life), packed to the brim with luxury. The interiors are very beachy and offer uninterrupted views of Conway National Park and the rainforest on the island. With the accommodation, you’ll receive three gourmet meals every day, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, canapes before dinner, unlimited use of snorkel gear, glass-bottom kayaks and stand-up paddle-boards.

Discover everything you need to know about visiting The Whitsundays

Natasha Gamra
See all articles
a row of bike riders mountain biking near airlie beach whitsundays
Airlie Beach

The Whitsundays is getting 40 kilometres of mountain bike trails

Get on your bike and head to Airlie Beach for a brand new mountain bike adventure.

Read more
lindeman island new resort
The Whitsundays

Iconic Whitsundays island to reopen after a $583 million makeover

After more than a decade of closure, Lindeman Island is ready to reclaim its title as Queensland’s go-to holiday hot spot. 

Read more
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island
The Whitsundays

Queensland’s most spectacular new island hike links beach to rainforest

The 32-kilometre, three-day island walk will connect Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and rainforest trails on Whitsunday Island.

Read more
Lennox Hastie's one-night only dining experience
Hayman Island

Lennox Hastie’s one-night only dining experience on Great Barrier Reef

InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef marks its 75th anniversary in style.

Read more
hero media

What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.