About the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef

WALKING TRAILS

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have spent much of 2009 and 2010 creating some spectacular walking trails in the Whitsunday Islands, complete with facilities.

For more information of these walking trails on the Whitsunday Islands, click into the following site:

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/whitsunday-ngaro-sea-trail/index.html

WILDLIFE

The Whitsunday Islands boast an amazing array of diverse wildlife including, wallabies, goannas, sea eagles, manta rays, giant sea turtles colourful reef fish, dolphins dugongs and humpback whales.

Whales are here from the Antarctic for calving and are usually seen from mid June through to September.

THE WHITSUNDAYS

Welcome to the Whitsundays, heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and one of the world's most spectacular aquatic playgrounds. Situated along the Queensland coast of Australia, between the cities of Mactay and Townsville, the Whitsundays area comprises  approximately 74 picturesque islands rising from warm, sparkling sapphire blue waters, fringing coral reefs and  white  silica sand beaches.  The sheer abundance of marine and  island wild life is amazing. With 70% of the region protected by  National and Marine Parks, this is a truly unique and stunning destination.

The Whitsunday Islands, most of them uninhabited pristine National Parks, feature empty white-sand or coral rubble beaches. They boast stunning views and  their mostly sheltered tropical waters  are breathtaking. The  islands  of the Whitsundays are bordered by the majestic mountains of the Conway National Park on one side with  the famous Great Barrier Reef -( one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’) on the other. From world class island resorts to the cosmopolitan resort village of Airlie Beach on the coast, the Whitsundays has something for everyone, from honeymooners to families to backpackers.

There are numerous ways to experience the wonders of the Whitsundays. The sheltered waterways ensure the Whitsundays are world renowned as a premier cruising and  sailing destination. Explore the spectacular Great Barrier Reef by boat, kayak ,seaplane or helicpter. snorkel, swim, dive  in nthe areas pristine warm waters.

The options and opportunities here are endless  - but to gain a better insight into the accommodation options and various attractions , click into nthe Tourism Whitsunday Website:

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/

AIRLIE BEACH

Salty Dog Sea Kayaking is based at  Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach is situated approximately 1,100km north of Brisbane and 700km south of Cairns . Its nearest large town is Mackay which is about 120 kilometers to the south. Vibrant Airlie Beach is a colourful and inviting holiday village lying on the shores of a palm fringed beach, overlooking the  islands and calm waters of the Whitsundays.

Located on a peninsula that stretches out to the Whitsunday passage, Airlie Beach is  an ideal mainland base for an unforgettable Queensland holiday. The town offers an excellent range of accommodation including  stylish resort hotels, hillside apartments, classy  bed & breakfasts ans motels. camping. Caravan parks , camping facilites as well as an array of backpackey-style acommodation options are also available.

Airlie Beach provides many of the essential services for travellers to the area. The shopping areas include Woolworths, Coles and IGA are open seven days a week.  additionally  the foreshore parkland hosts a  local market each Saturday morning  with stalls selling fresh fruit & veggies, local arts & crafts and more.

Dining and entertainment options in and around Airlie Beach range from silver service resort dining to cafes and cheap eats. Airlie’s clubs and bars provide plenty of entertainment well into the night.

WHITEHAVEN BEACH

Stretching over nine kilometres, this pristine expanse of pure white silica sand is fringed by brilliant blue water and lush tropical island and is considered the jewel of the Whitsundays. Recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, no visit to the Whitsundays is complete without a trip to Whitehaven Beach.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven great wonders of the natural world. Stretching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia, from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg, the reef is the largest natural feature on earth and can be seen from outer space.

The Great Barrier Reef is made up of more than 2,800 coral reefs and boasts a diverse range of colourful marine life providing some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world.

CLIMATE

The climate in the Whitsundays is subtropical being just above the tropic of Capricorn. Located on the same Latitude as Fiji, sunny tropical weather is guaranteed almost all year round. An average annual temperature of 27°C and an estimated average of 8.25 sunshine hours per day ensures an incredible year-round climate. Summer is over those months around January where the average temperature is over 30°C. The winter months are those around July with an average temperature of 23°C.

The Whitsundays water temperature varies from around 23°C in winter to 28°C in summer. If it's summer time in tropical North Queensland take plenty of sunscreen with you and a hat!