5 Best Ways To Travel To Whitsundays

Discover the incredible marine life, sail the turquoise waters, and wander barefoot on one of the most amazing beaches in Queensland. The Whitsunday Islands is home to 74 islands and resides at the centre of one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, The Great Barrier Reef.

You’ll be amazed by the endless activities offered in the area. The Whitsundays have a lot to offer, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists. It’s where people gather year-round and spend their holidays. However, the real question is, how do you travel to The Whitsundays? Here are some of the ways you can visit its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters:

1. By Car

If you’re wondering how you can reach the Whitsunday Islands using a car, this is possible by heading straight to Airlie Beach. The Bruce Highway, a major road connecting Brisbane to Cairns, is a 20-minute drive from Airlie Beach. Depending on where you’re coming from, it would take about a 7 to 13-hour drive to go there.

Driving time will take under two hours if you’re coming from a nearby Queensland city like Mackay to The Whitsundays. You’ll also spot signs pointing you toward Airlie Beach for a leisurely drive. Airlie Beach is the gateway for tourists visiting the islands. It’s the perfect starting point from which people could explore the magnificent wonders of the region.

2. By Ferry

Airlie Beach is always the starting point for anyone going to the Great Barrier Reef because the transportation fares are cheaper, and travel time is faster compared to other surrounding areas from The Whitsunday. One of the best options to visit the tropical paradise is by taking a ferry. The distance between Whitsunday Islands and Airlie Beach is around 34 km, so the journey will last an hour and a half.

Remember that ferry schedules vary, especially during weekends and holidays. Taking the ferry can be good if you want to see the islands’ scenic views while travelling. If you wish to explore the islands once you arrive, you may try yacht hire Whitsundays to enjoy the white sandy beaches of paradise.

3. By Rail

Getting to the Whitsunday Islands from Brisbane is possible by train. If you’re not familiar with how to visit this tropical paradise by rail, Queensland Rail offers a route called the Spirit of Queensland. It links Cairns, Brisbane, and other major points to Airlie Beach. It operates five times a week, with stops in the tourist destinations along the way.

If you’re coming from Brisbane, the travel time will take 18 to 20 hours. On the other hand, if your starting point is Cairns, that would be a 9.5-hour travel time. No need to worry as it’s a comfortable and relaxing ride because the train has convertible seats to bed option. The train also has dining facilities, ensuring you won’t get hungry on your journey to The Whitsunday.

4. By Air

Like most tourist destinations, the fastest and easiest mode of transportation going to The Whitsundays is by air. There are two main airports in the area. The first one is The Great Barrier Reef Airport located on Hamilton Island, and the second is the Whitsunday Coast Airport located at Proserpine. If you’re wondering, the flight from Sydney to the island takes about 2.5 hours.

Most visitors arrive on the mainland at the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine. Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef Airport is the access point for tourists wanting to see the Great Barrier Reef and islands. You also have the option to arrive at two lightplane airports at Lindeman Island and Shute Harbour. Direct services to these airports operate from Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Brisbane.