Luxury holidays in Whitsundays
Dotted just off the coast of Queensland, the pristine Whitsundays are a pocket of paradise. Lush rainforests and reef-fringed islands meet dazzling white-sand beaches and glassy-still waters in this almost unimaginably beautiful natural wonder, named by Captain Cook. Though the major gateway to the islands, mainland hub Airlie Beach, is known for its hard-partying backpacker scene, the uninhabited islands offer plenty of opportunities for seclusion and communing with nature. The Great Barrier Reef shelters the islands from large swells, making the marine park perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving to discover submerged treasures – coasting turtles, neon-bright fish and otherworldly coral gardens.
When to go
October to May is known as ‘stinger season’ – it’s when the box jellyfish come out to play, so you’ll have to wear a wetsuit. September, which is early spring in the southern hemisphere, has sunny days, the least rainfall and the perfect water temperature for swimming.