Where to go in the Whitsunday Islands?

[Kate031]

Hello. I have a business trip coming up in Canberra, Australia, and was thinking about staying for about a week and heading up to the Whitsunday islands. With so many options in the area, I'm kind of overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[number_6]

Searching FT will show many past threads on this topic. Great diversity in what is available, but if you look at Heron and Lizard (cheaper, more pristine and eco-centric) and Hayman and Hamilton Islands then you will get the range of choices. Cost varies from $100 to $1000+ per day so quite a range. Also big tradeoffs in ease and cost of travel (Hamilton has airport and easy access, while some other islands may cost $1000 for a helicopter transfer or take a day for boat transfer). All depends on your time and money tradeoff, and whether you are looking for nature vs. man-made attractions.

[Kate031]

Thank you!

[ozzie]

I would say don't. The Whitsunday islands are well inside the reef and don't have particularly good snorkelling / etc.

I would rather go to Heron, Lizard, Green or Fiztroy islands - all outside the Whitsundays, but all directly on the reef.