Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsundays

Enjoy stunning views of Chance Bay from the elevated Chance Bay camping area. Photo credit: Nah Judd © Qld Govt

Ngaro track under construction

The Ngaro track will provide a new and exciting opportunity to hike in the Whitsundays. For safety reasons, the Ngaro track is closed to the public while the track and campsites are being constructed. Photo credit: Nah Turnbull © Queensland Government

The iconic Hill Inlet is not to be missed on a visit to Whitsunday Islands National Park. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Chance Bay, Whitsunday Island

Set up camp in your own secluded piece of paradise and discover the walking tracks and snorkelling reefs of Chance Bay.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Walking
  • Snorkelling and diving
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Boating
  • Fishing

Always check

Nestled in a quiet bay, Chance Bay camping area offers spectacular views across the sandy beach to Pentecost Island and the Lindeman Islands Group.

Take a hike along the Chance Bay track, which forms part of the magical Whitsunday Ngaro sea trail, and joins the Solway circuit track to lead you to the stunning and iconic Whitehaven Beach.

Head out to snorkel the gentle waters of Chance Bay and explore the marine life.

Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles popping up to the surface for a rest—green, flatback and hawksbill sea turtles call this bay home.

Whitsunday Islands National Park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

Chance Bay camping area is on Whitsunday Island in Whitsunday Islands National Park, located offshore from the Queensland central coast, 25km east of Airlie Beach.

  • Chance Bay camping area is located on the south-east side of Whitsunday Island, approximately 17.3nm (32km) east-south-east of Shute Harbour, travelling in an anticlockwise direction.
  • Anchoring is permitted. Access to this site is possible from mid to high tide.
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Getting to the Whitsundays

  • Travel on the Bruce Highway to Proserpine, 125km north of Mackay.
  • From Proserpine, drive 25km east along Shute Harbour Road to Airlie Beach, and continue a further 10km to Shute Harbour. Book your tour or charter boat or launch your vessel from here.
  • All roads to the boat launch sites are suitable for conventional 2WDs.

The islands' national park is easily accessible by commercial tours and transfers, charter boat and private vessel from the coastal towns of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Hamilton Island (20km south-east of Shute Harbour) is also accessible by aircraft.

Commercial tours

  • Commercial operators offer day trips, camping tours and boat, camper and kayak transfers departing from Abell Point Marina at Airlie Beach and from Shute Harbour.

Charter boat

  • Bare boats or private charters are available from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island.

Private vessel

  • There are public boat ramps at Port of Airlie and Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Cannonvale (4km east of Airlie Beach), Dingo Beach (50km north-west of Airlie Beach), Conway Beach (38km south of Airlie Beach) and Midge Point (60km south of Airlie Beach).
  • Always take the weather and tidal influences into account when boating in the Whitsundays.

Aircraft

  • Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach have airstrips and commercial operators offer sightseeing tours.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Chance Bay camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

View from Chance Bay campground, Whitsunday Island.

View from Chance Bay camping area. Photo: Queensland Government.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features: An elevated camping area with excellent views extending across the sandy beach to Pentecost Island, the Lindeman Group and Cape Conway.

Location: South-east Whitsunday Island; approximately 27km east-south-east of Shute Harbour.

Access: The camping area can be reached by boat (only) at mid to high tide. A good anchorage during northerly winds, access can be difficult during south-easterly winds.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 12 people.

Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping.

Camp site surface: Sand and dirt.

Facilities: Composting toilet, picnic tables.

Open fires: Prohibited.

Generators: Not permitted.

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings recommended for holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: Not available.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Whitsunday Islands safely and camp with care.