Overview
Take a trip to Whitsundays on your Australia Vacation
The Whitsunday Islands are a popular tourist destination on Australia vacations off the central coast of Queensland, comprised of a collection of 74 islands spread across the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. Most of the islands are deserted but there are eight that offer accommodation and tourist facilities.
Enhancing any Australia vacation, the Whitsundays also offer great beaches and an intimate atmosphere and can be visited either by taking a cruise or staying at one of the many resorts that dot the islands.
Whitsunday Islands Vacation Highlights
The Whitsundays are named for uninhabited Whitsunday Island, the largest in the group, which is home to the famed Whitehaven Beach. It’s easily reached via the numerous cruise tours that run from the nearby resorts and from Airlie Beach.The most important island to the tourism industry however is Hamilton Island. Despite being the most populated of the Whitsunday Islands, 70% of Hamilton Island is a national park, offering natural beauty and good scenic walks. There is also a quality golf course here.
Hayman Island is the most northern island and is the epitome of a tropical paradise. Activities include everything from bushwalks to excellent diving and snorkeling.
Daydream Island is a haven for wildlife lovers, where it's possible to hand-feed stingrays, sharks, and fish, and where it's not unusual to see dolphins and turtles in the nearby waters.
Long Island (no, not that one!) is closest to the mainland and is a great destination for hikers. Palm Bay is one of its secluded delights, showing off the Whitsundays at their very best.
Airlie Beach is located on the mainland itself and is the jumping-off point for many Whitsunday and Great Barrier Reef excursions. If you'd rather stay in a local community rather than at a resort, while still having the Whitsundays at your fingertips, Airlie Beach is a great option.
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Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
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Australia & Tahiti Tropical Island Escape with Air
Moorea, Queensland, Whitsundays, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachAn air-inclusive escape to Australia and French Polynesia, blending vibrant reef adventures, misty blue mountain landscapes, and relaxing lagoon swims, all complemented by warm island hospitality and delicious local flavours.
15 days
From US$6,499/p.p.
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Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,197/p.p.
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Ultimate Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Auckland, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, Victoria, and MelbourneA refined private-guided journey through Australia and New Zealand, pairing coral seas, wild coasts, fine flavours and alpine calm.
16 days
From US$11,580/p.p.
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Australia In Style: Sydney, Rock, Reef & Rainforest
Queensland, Whitsundays, Atherton Tablelands, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachExperience an unforgettable adventure in Australia, exploring Sydney's sights, the captivating Red Centre, and the stunning Great Barrier Reef, all in luxury!
12 days
From US$7,363/p.p.
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Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia & Tahiti Tropical Island Escape with Air
Moorea, Queensland, Whitsundays, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachAn air-inclusive escape to Australia and French Polynesia, blending vibrant reef adventures, misty blue mountain landscapes, and relaxing lagoon swims, all complemented by warm island hospitality and delicious local flavours.
15 days
From US$6,499/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,197/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Auckland, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Whitsundays, Victoria, and MelbourneA refined private-guided journey through Australia and New Zealand, pairing coral seas, wild coasts, fine flavours and alpine calm.
16 days
From US$11,580/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia In Style: Sydney, Rock, Reef & Rainforest
Queensland, Whitsundays, Atherton Tablelands, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachExperience an unforgettable adventure in Australia, exploring Sydney's sights, the captivating Red Centre, and the stunning Great Barrier Reef, all in luxury!
12 days
From US$7,363/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
Whitehaven Island - famous for its white sand b...
Aerial views of the Whitsunday Islands
Humpback whale breaching
Swim-up bar in the tropical Whitsundays
Located 900km north of Brisbane between Bowen a...
Sea plane anchored on Whitehaven Beach
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ExcellentBased on 5,294 ReviewsMy wife and I have just returned from our 5th trip with Goway. Once again everything ran smoothly from first day to last. This trip was the 9 day all Ireland tour which covered both north & south Ireland. The tour was operated by Rabbies tours whom we used in Scotland and the 16 passenger van only had 6 passengers including us.Other than a couple of days the weather was prety good although the wind did get a bit wild. The pub food was delicious & i got a taste for real Guiness. We spent a few extra days in Dublin and found it very expensive, the excange rate didn't help. Our travel consultant Jaqueline personalised the trip and was very helpful. George CroomeWe were able to see the perfect amount of sites during our nearly 3 weeks in Australia. Sam Day was extremely knowledgable about every step of the travel process. He was incredibly patient with all the demand my wife and me had. We really look forward to using his services again.Alan RosenbergMy husband and I booked a tour to Portugal using Goway travel. Working with Phoebe was a pleasure. She responded promptly and professionally to all of my requests, concerns and queries. Our trip was filled with lovely details and unexpected treasures.Kristen RemsenMy trip to China was a wonderful experience, and everything was planned very well. The itinerary was well organized by Ms. Harpreet Litt. The arrangements were smooth, and the overall trip was enjoyable.
I appreciated the attention to detail and the excellent coordination throughout the journey. It was a memorable experience, and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone planning to visit China!edytaHarpreet Litt provided us with a rich experience for our week. She offered good choices for local tour companies. We had a very good guide in Osaka. She is an Osaka resident with good English skills. She took extra pains to include opportunities we requested Osaka was a beautiful city at night. My photos of restaurants and street food were colorful and fun. Food was good too.Noel ChrismanI had a fantastic experience working with Lisa D. on the Goway team. She was helpful, attentive and made sure we were comfortable with our bookings and itinerary before departure, and also checked in with us following our trip. Would definitely book with Goway again!Mandi S.1186952 trip reference - Croatia and Montenegro.
Dear Goway Travel Team!
I wanted to reach out and share some well-deserved praise for Jacqueline, who has assisted me closely with several of my travels. She recently curated a trip for me to Croatia, the beautiful islands, and Montenegro, and it was an absolute home run.
Jacqueline has an incredible ability to listen to her clients' needs and translate them perfectly into a flawless itinerary. Her articulation, guideline execution, and professionalism are unmatched. What sets her apart is her forward-thinking approach—she always knows the exact hotspots and trends, ensuring the pace of the trip matches my speed perfectly.
Everything transitioned seamlessly thanks to her attention to detail and care. She is a massive asset to your organization, and her consideration makes every vacation stress-free. I will absolutely continue to use her for all my future travels.
Kindest regards,
Vince Sacco Vince SaccoAbsolutely incredible trip! From beginning to end! All accommodations were excellent. If you want to experience Safaris this trip will fulfill all your expectations! A special thanks to our driver we had for our entire trip Evans! He made our trip over the top! The Hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara is a must…it’s breathtaking!Pam SeitzI have worked with Goway several times in the past two years and every single trip has been unforgettable. Specifically, our travel advisor, Maria, has helped us book phenomenal trips to Thailand, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and most recently, Iceland. Maria is so wonderful and easy to talk to, but what really stands out is her ability to get to know her clients so she can plan trips that perfectly align with our interests and desires. I cannot recommend her strongly enough! Her expertise, hard-work, and dedication towards each trip has given myself, my family, and friends memories to last a lifetime! Kayla CovelloJamil made our 40th birthday trip to Portugal so so very amazing and special! Great service, fabulous hotels, and wonderful day trips! Lane Strickland
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