The hiking theme introduced in my last blog continues here, but a lot closer to home and with elements of biking and sailing thrown in for good measure.
The Whitsundays are a group of islands that lie between Australia’s northern Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef and which are characterised by white sand beaches, dense rainforest and stunning vistas. Read about them here.
Right now the Whitsundays are playing host to actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts while they film Universal Pictures’ new romantic comedy, Ticket to Paradise. In the movie, the Whitsundays double as Bali.
There are flights to Whitsunday Coast Airport, the original entry point for the islands, from all Australian capital cities. We flew there on our last trip because we were staying at Airlie Beach, the principal town of the region, but the airport is 32 kilometres inland or a 40-minute drive into town. Visitors by-passing Airlie Beach and going straight to the islands tend to prefer the newer jet-capable airport on Hamilton Island. There are boat and seaplane transfers available to the mainland and other islands.
Those broadly familiar with the Whitsundays will know that their sparkling blue waters offer some of the best sailing in the world but may not realise that the region is also home to World Heritage-listed rainforests.
Mention the Whitsundays and it conjures up images of islands like Daydream, Hamilton and Hayman that offer luxury resorts, but in fact most of the 74 islands in the group are uninhabited. Scattered among these are some spectacular hiking trails offering panoramic views of the islands from numerous vantage points.
For those who prefer to remain on the mainland, the town of Airlie Beach is the region’s central hub and the jumping off point for the islands. It’s a great little town with lots of accommodation, parks and alfresco restaurants including the popular Fish D’vine and Rum Bar that offers fresh seafood and a huge selection of rums from around the world.
From Airlie Beach you can reach Conway National Park, the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in the state outside of Far North Queensland. The park is of enormous biological significance to the Whitsundays, with unique species such as emerald doves, sulphur-crested cockatoos and brush-turkeys. There are around six different rare or threatened species found roaming about the park, including the endangered Proserpine rock wallaby.
The only way to see the Conway National Park properly is by walking some of the many trails scattered about. The tracks vary in distance and difficulty and if you like a challenge, the Conway Circuit (formerly the Whitsunday Great Walk) begins at Brandy Creek and ends in Airlie Beach after almost 30 kilometres. Allow three days to complete this trail while taking in the natural environment and camping along the way.
The Conway National Park offers plenty of camping spots for those who want to spend more than a day in the rainforest. Camping permits are required and are available from Queensland Parks and Forests.
There are any number of hidden beaches around the park, with Coral Beach one of the best to visit. If you combine it with the Beak walk – a 3.7km, grade 2 return hike – you will get glimpses of Shute Harbour and Whitsunday passage as you walk between the trees, and you’ll see stately hoop pines perched high on the slopes and ridges.
At Coral beach you can sunbake, surf or snorkel and then walk just 180 metres east along the beach and look for the walking track to the Beak, where you can enjoy views over the Whitsunday passage and islands.
The increasingly popular sport of mountain biking is now available in the Whitsundays. Choose between the scenic trails on South Molle Island with the Whitsunday Islands as your backdrop or take a ride through the mainland rainforest of Conway National Park, descending along old logging tracks, navigating seasonal creeks and experiencing the abundance of native flora and fauna.
For those itching to get out and explore nature again, the ancient rainforests of the Whitsundays provide the perfect opportunity to do so, whether on foot or mountain bike. Bikes can be hired at Airlie Beach for around $20 a day.
It’s difficult to write about the Whitsunday Islands without thinking of the azure blue water. So if, after all, you would prefer to go sailing then come to the Whitsundays anyway. You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable boating experience.
Travel between May and October to avoid the more extreme heat and the wet season of North Queensland.
