 The Whitsunday Islands feature dazzling sapphire waters that are teeming with mackerel, queenfish, trevally and other species. The islands are remnants of a coastal range which was submerged when sea levels rose at the end of the ice age and now form the largest offshore island chain on the Australian east coast. Fringing coral cays surround many of the Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays lie on the Queensland coast on Australia's eastern seaboard, northeast of Mackay. While weather can vary, March to May brings the strongest winds, August and September are the driest months, and the wet season is generally January to March. With 74 islands in the chain, only six of which are inhabited, the Whitsundays offers everything from secluded anchorages to the nightlife of an international resort. A short 2 hour flight north from Sydney brings you to Hamilton Island in the heart of the Whitsundays. Qantas offers direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane.
Most of the islands have National Park status. A 35,000 square kilometer/21,000 square mile marine park stretches from around Sarina in the south to Cape Upstart to the north. Originally named the Cumberland and Northumberland Island groups by Captain James Cook, these islands have become well known as the Whitsunday Islands since Captain Cook named this area the Whitsunday Passage. The Whitsundays, with its safe anchorages and coves, and sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the worlds finest cruising areas and will undoubtedly capture your heart and imagination.
 |
