Whitehaven Beach is world famous for pure-white, silica sand and clear waters. Stunning views, secluded beaches, fringing reefs and distinctive hoop pines complete the spectacular island picture.
Location
Continental islands lying off the Queensland coast 25km east of Airlie Beach
Park facilities
- Anchoring allowed
- No campfires
- Lookout
- Mooring points
- Picnic tables (some sheltered)
- Toilets
- Tent camping
- Boating
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Walking
- World Heritage
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![A trip out to (or over!) the stunning and aptly named Heart Reef should be on your to-do list.]()
A trip out to (or over!) the stunning and aptly named Heart Reef should be on your to-do list.
Photo credit: © Lauren Bath
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![Snorkel the outstanding reef around Whitsunday Islands National Park.]()
Snorkel the outstanding reef around Whitsunday Islands National Park.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Enjoy short kayaking trips from the islands, or kayak between camping areas in Whitsunday Islands National Park.]()
Enjoy short kayaking trips from the islands, or kayak between camping areas in Whitsunday Islands National Park.
Photo credit: Matt Harvey © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Kayak to your camp site at Nari's Beach camping area on Whitsunday Island.]()
Kayak to your camp site at Nari's Beach camping area on Whitsunday Island.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Take a walk along the soft, white sands of the Lookout Beach track.]()
Take a walk along the soft, white sands of the Lookout Beach track.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![From May to September the Whitsundays are an important calving ground for migrating humpback whales.]()
From May to September the Whitsundays are an important calving ground for migrating humpback whales.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy great snorkeling and diving at Border Island, one of the outlying islands of the Whitsunday group.]()
Enjoy great snorkeling and diving at Border Island, one of the outlying islands of the Whitsunday group.
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Take in spectacular vistas over Hill Inlet from the Hill Inlet lookout track.]()
Take in spectacular vistas over Hill Inlet from the Hill Inlet lookout track.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Enjoy a picnic in the vine forest with views of Cid Harbour at Sawmill Beach day-use area.]()
Enjoy a picnic in the vine forest with views of Cid Harbour at Sawmill Beach day-use area.
Photo credit: © Brooke Miles Photography
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![Take in beach views from your shady camp site at Cairn Beach camping area.]()
Take in beach views from your shady camp site at Cairn Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![On the northern side of Hook Island, Butterfly Bay is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving from a boat.]()
On the northern side of Hook Island, Butterfly Bay is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving from a boat.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![The turquoise waters and sweeping white sands are a stunning sight from the Hill Inlet lookout track.]()
The turquoise waters and sweeping white sands are a stunning sight from the Hill Inlet lookout track.
Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Sailing is a great way to explore Whitsunday Islands National Park.]()
Sailing is a great way to explore Whitsunday Islands National Park.
Photo credit: Tony Gwynn-Jones © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![The Whitsunday Peak track is a very challenging hike but the views make it worthwhile!]()
The Whitsunday Peak track is a very challenging hike but the views make it worthwhile!
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Stop at the natural rock platform on the Solway circuit track and take in the stunning views.]()
Stop at the natural rock platform on the Solway circuit track and take in the stunning views.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy views of this famous beach from your camp site at Whitehaven Beach camping area.]()
Enjoy views of this famous beach from your camp site at Whitehaven Beach camping area.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Langford Island, in the northern section of Whitsunday Islands National Park, is a popular spot with sailors, divers and snorkellers.]()
Langford Island, in the northern section of Whitsunday Islands National Park, is a popular spot with sailors, divers and snorkellers.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![You will get an insight into Ngaro life and culture at the Ngaro Cultural Site.]()
You will get an insight into Ngaro life and culture at the Ngaro Cultural Site.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Blue Pearl Bay, on Hayman Island, is a popular diving and snorkelling spot that has a resident Maori wrasse.]()
Blue Pearl Bay, on Hayman Island, is a popular diving and snorkelling spot that has a resident Maori wrasse.
Photo credit: Lincoln Fowler © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Enjoy a shaded picnic with ocean views at Maureen's Cove camping area.]()
Enjoy a shaded picnic with ocean views at Maureen's Cove camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Look for lace monitors along the walking tracks and at camping and day-use areas.]()
Look for lace monitors along the walking tracks and at camping and day-use areas.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy breakfast with views of Hayman Island from Steen's Beach camping area.]()
Enjoy breakfast with views of Hayman Island from Steen's Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Dugong Beach is just one of the stunning Whitsunday Islands National Park beaches you can camp at.]()
Dugong Beach is just one of the stunning Whitsunday Islands National Park beaches you can camp at.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Check out the giant rainforest trees and solitaire palms along the Dugong–Sawmill track.]()
Check out the giant rainforest trees and solitaire palms along the Dugong–Sawmill track.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Pitch your tent in dry rainforest shade, not far from the beach, at Dugong Beach camping area.]()
Pitch your tent in dry rainforest shade, not far from the beach, at Dugong Beach camping area.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy stunning views of Chance Bay from Chance Bay camping area.]()
Enjoy stunning views of Chance Bay from Chance Bay camping area.
Photo credit: Nah Judd © Queensland Government
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![Camp at Whitehaven Beach camping area and enjoy this famous beach a little longer than the daytrippers.]()
Camp at Whitehaven Beach camping area and enjoy this famous beach a little longer than the daytrippers.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Divers love discovering the underwater wonderland of the Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef.]()
Divers love discovering the underwater wonderland of the Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef.
Photo credit: © Tourism Whitsundays
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![The dazzling white sand of Whitehaven Beach is one of the best-known Whitsunday Islands drawcards.]()
The dazzling white sand of Whitehaven Beach is one of the best-known Whitsunday Islands drawcards.
Photo credit: Lincoln Fowler © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![The Whitsunday Cairn track has breathtaking views of the Whitsundays.]()
The Whitsunday Cairn track has breathtaking views of the Whitsundays.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Curlew Beach camping area sits behind the sandy beach and is backed by rainforest and a small seasonal creek.]()
Curlew Beach camping area sits behind the sandy beach and is backed by rainforest and a small seasonal creek.
Photo credit: © Jana Hummelshoj
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![The stunning scenery of Hill Inlet will be one of the highlights of your visit to Whitsunday Islands National Park.]()
The stunning scenery of Hill Inlet will be one of the highlights of your visit to Whitsunday Islands National Park.
Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Explore Whitsunday Islands National Park, where jewel-green islands sparkle in an aquamarine ocean.]()
Explore Whitsunday Islands National Park, where jewel-green islands sparkle in an aquamarine ocean.
Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Follow the Chance Bay track to the peaceful beach at Chance Bay.]()
Follow the Chance Bay track to the peaceful beach at Chance Bay.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Set up camp at Joe's Beach camping area and take in views of Cid Island.]()
Set up camp at Joe's Beach camping area and take in views of Cid Island.
Photo credit: © Brooke Miles Photography
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![Take a walk along the soft white sands of the Lookout Beach track.]()
Take a walk along the soft white sands of the Lookout Beach track.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Follow the Chance Bay track to the peaceful beach at Chance Bay.]()
Follow the Chance Bay track to the peaceful beach at Chance Bay.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Wander through coastal vine forest to Dugong Beach on the Dugong–Sawmill track.]()
Wander through coastal vine forest to Dugong Beach on the Dugong–Sawmill track.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Take in spectacular vistas over Hill Inlet from the Hill Inlet lookout track.]()
Take in spectacular vistas over Hill Inlet from the Hill Inlet lookout track.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Stop and take a photo of Nara Inlet as you walk along the Ngaro Cultural Site track.]()
Stop and take a photo of Nara Inlet as you walk along the Ngaro Cultural Site track.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![The Solway circuit track has spectacular views over the Solway Passage and surrounding islands.]()
The Solway circuit track has spectacular views over the Solway Passage and surrounding islands.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Take the steep and challenging Whitsunday Cairn track to the rock outcrop below the towering cairn.]()
Take the steep and challenging Whitsunday Cairn track to the rock outcrop below the towering cairn.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy uninterrupted views over the Whitsunday islands from the Whitsunday Peak track.]()
Enjoy uninterrupted views over the Whitsunday islands from the Whitsunday Peak track.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Take in beach views from your shady camp site at Cairn Beach camping area.]()
Take in beach views from your shady camp site at Cairn Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy stunning views of Chance Bay from the elevated Chance Bay camping area.]()
Enjoy stunning views of Chance Bay from the elevated Chance Bay camping area.
Photo credit: Nah Judd © Qld Govt
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![Camp right beside the water on Hook Island, at Crayfish Beach camping area.]()
Camp right beside the water on Hook Island, at Crayfish Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Relax on the beach and enjoy views of Macona Inlet from Curlew Beach camping area.]()
Relax on the beach and enjoy views of Macona Inlet from Curlew Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Jana Hummelshoj
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![Pitch your tent in the shade of the dry rainforest at Dugong Beach camping area.]()
Pitch your tent in the shade of the dry rainforest at Dugong Beach camping area.
Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government
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![Set up camp and take in views of Cid Island from Joe's Beach camping area.]()
Set up camp and take in views of Cid Island from Joe's Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Brooke Miles Photography
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![Under the rainforest canopy and tucked against a steep hill, is Nari's Beach camping area.]()
Under the rainforest canopy and tucked against a steep hill, is Nari's Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Brooke Miles Photography
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![You'll have uninterrupted views over the fringing reef and Coral Sea from Maureen's Cove camping area.]()
You'll have uninterrupted views over the fringing reef and Coral Sea from Maureen's Cove camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Set up camp among the casuarina trees at Northern Spit camping area.]()
Set up camp among the casuarina trees at Northern Spit camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Bring your fishing and snorkelling gear when you camp at Steen's Beach camping area.]()
Bring your fishing and snorkelling gear when you camp at Steen's Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy views of this famous beach from your camp site at Whitehaven Beach camping area.]()
Enjoy views of this famous beach from your camp site at Whitehaven Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Mitchell Burns Imagery
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![Snorkel or dive just off the beach at the Black Island day-use area.]()
Snorkel or dive just off the beach at the Black Island day-use area.
Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Head to Sawmill Beach day-use area for a picnic, walk or to just relax.]()
Head to Sawmill Beach day-use area for a picnic, walk or to just relax.
Photo credit: © Brooke Miles Photography
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![Discover the true meaning of pristine tropical paradise at Whitehaven Beach day-use area.]()
Discover the true meaning of pristine tropical paradise at Whitehaven Beach day-use area.
Photo credit: © Lauren Bath
Highlights and announcements
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Image creditMaxime Coquard © 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.
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Image creditWhitsunday Island![Image of Whitsunday Island]()
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?
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Image creditJustin Heitman © Queensland Government![A solitary kayak sitting on a beach.]()
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.
- Upcoming works: Whitsunday public mooring installations 8–30 June 2023
- Visitors to Great Barrier Reef reminded to be SharkSmart 14 October 2020 to 22 August 2023