Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsundays

Set up camp among the casuarina trees at Northern Spit camping area. Photo credit: © 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

Be inspired: Family camping in the wonderful Whitsundays is enough to make Robinson Crusoe jealous!

The very name, ‘Whitsundays’, conjures up images of pure white sand, deep blue waters and emerald-green islands with the obligatory waving palm trees. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: Paddle into paradise on the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail

Backpackers from around the world know the Whitsundays are a ‘must’, so why not grab a few mates and check out this paradise in your own back yard?

Be inspired: Paddle, pedal, soar or sail—explore The Whitsundays your way!

White sands, rich green landscapes and turquoise waters combine to make The Whitsundays your ultimate tropical getaway. Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government

Northern Spit, Henning Island

Set up camp among the casuarinas, with scenic island views and a beautiful sandy beach just a few steps away.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

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

Backed by a closed forest canopy and overlooking the Whitsunday and Hamilton islands, this camping area is a popular rest stop for kayakers travelling the Whitsunday Ngaro sea trail.

Spend the day relaxing on the beach or wading through the gentle waters off Northern Spit.

Try your luck casting a line off the beach to catch dinner fresh from the sea. In the quieter months, you might spot a glimpse of the rare, large beach-stone curlew frequenting the shores of Henning Island.

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

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

  • Northern Spit camping area is on the northern side of Henning Island, approximately 9.2nm (17km) from Shute Harbour (travelling in an anti-clockwise direction).
  • Northern Spit is accessible at all tides. Make use of one of two public moorings available here.
  • Anchoring is permitted but poor due to exposure to all prevailing winds and strong currents.
  • 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

Northern Spit 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.

Northern Spit campground, Henning Island

Camping at Northern Spit. Photo: Queensland Government.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features: Pleasant sandy beach backed by closed forest canopy. The camping area is set among native grasses and casuarinas overlooking Whitsunday and Hamilton islands.

Location: Northern side of Henning Island, approximately 15km east-south-east of Shute Harbour.

Access: The camping area can be reached by boat (only) at all tides.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 18 people.

Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping.

Camp site surface: Sand and dirt.

Facilities: Composting toilets, 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: Available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

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