Bowen Beaches Discovery-Top of the Whitsundays
8 hours
From AUD $150
74 islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton and Hayman — the sailing capital of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tours in Whitsundays
See all 8 tours →
Background information about Whitsundays adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Next 7 days at Whitsundays
Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.
Loading forecast…
Best time to visit Whitsundays
Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jul, Aug, Sep — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Jan, Feb if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.
Jan
36°
22° low
220mm
Feb
37°
21° low
228mm
Mar
34°
21° low
155mm
Apr
33°
16° low
66mm
May
30°
12° low
36mm
Jun
30°
10° low
35mm
Jul
30°
10° low
24mm
Aug
30°
10° low
16mm
Sep
33°
13° low
14mm
Oct
36°
17° low
27mm
Nov
38°
19° low
50mm
Dec
37°
21° low
115mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.
Beach & ocean conditions at Whitsundays
Typical wave height around 0.8 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.
Avg wave height
0.8 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.
What else is around Whitsundays
Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.
🏰 Historic sites (2)
- 19.5 km
- 3.9 km
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Drive times to and from Whitsundays
Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.
Photos from around Whitsundays
Frequently asked about Whitsundays
- Where is Whitsundays?
- Whitsundays is in Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other Queensland destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
- When is the best time to visit Whitsundays?
- Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Whitsundays are typically August, September, July — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
- What's the weather like in Whitsundays?
- Summer daytime highs average around 37°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 10°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 984 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
- How do I get to Whitsundays?
- Most travellers arrive by road. From Airlie Beach it's about 2 km — roughly 0h 7m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other Queensland destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
- What are the top things to see in Whitsundays?
- Well-known spots within day-trip range include Open Air Cinema, Mount Sunter, The Living Reef, The Living Reef, Mount Sunter. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
- Where can I stay near Whitsundays?
- We list 7 caravan and holiday parks in and around Whitsundays above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
- How many days should I spend at Whitsundays?
- Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Whitsundays to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 8 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
- Is Whitsundays good for families with kids?
- Yes — there are 9 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
- What day trips can I do from Whitsundays?
- Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Airlie Beach, Mackay. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
- Is there public transport at Whitsundays?
- Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
- Is Whitsundays accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
- Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Whitsundays are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
- How much does a trip to Whitsundays cost?
- Budget travellers can do Whitsundays on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
- Will I have phone signal at Whitsundays?
- Most named destinations in Queensland have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.
