*Source Tourism Whitsundays
*Source Queensland.com
*Source Queensland.com
Living in the Whitsundays
Click the topic below to view more info
About the Area
Local Council Info
Getting Here
Amenities and Things To Do
Hospitals, Doctors and Aged Care
Schools
Pets
Water and Rubbish Removal
About the Area
As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the magnificent 74 Whitsunday Islands, the Whitsunday region
has one of the fastest growing populations in Queensland. Boasting a strong and diverse economy driven by
the agriculture, construction, mining and tourism industries; the Whitsunday region has the potential to become the economic powerhouse of North Queensland.
The Whitsunday region encompasses a total land area of 23,862 square kilometres and includes the major townships of Airlie Beach, Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville and Proserpine, with numerous rural and coastal communities and residential areas scattered throughout the area. The Bruce Highway is the major transport corridor running north-south through the region, to Mackay in the south and Townsville in the north.
The Whitsunday region is home to approximately 35,500 permanent residents. Due to the strength of the
local economy, the region’s population is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3 per cent over the next 20 years, which exceeds the State average of 1.8 per cent.
Renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, the region boasts beaches, rainforests and large tracts of national parkland. While the region is rural and coastal in its nature, residents and visitors alike enjoy access to contemporary facilities including museums, art galleries, cafes, hotels and restaurants, entertainment facilities and cinemas.
The region enjoys a tropical climate of hot summers and warm winters, with average daily temperatures ranging from 22 – 23 degrees Celsius in the winter months of June and July, and up to 29 – 30 degrees Celsius in the summer months of December and January. The tropical wet season occurs during January to March, with the cyclone season beginning in November and typically ending in April.
For more info and to view a map of the region CLICK HERE.
*Source Whitsunday Regional Council Website
Local Council Info
Whitsunday Regional Council is led by a Mayor and six divisional Councillors, who are elected by eligible voters in each division for a four year term.
Together, the Mayor and Councillors comprise the governing body of Whitsunday Regional Council and are required to discharge their roles in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009. The Mayor and Councillors represent the interests of the region’s residents and ratepayers and provide leadership and guidance to the community. Their responsibilities include directing and controlling the organisation’s business affairs, overseeing the allocation of the organisation’s finances and resources, and reviewing the performance of Council and its delivery of services.
The incumbent Mayor and Councillors were sworn in on Monday 4 April 2016.
For more information on the Council and Councillors CLICK HERE to visit the WRC Website.
*Source Whitsunday Regional Council Website
Getting Here
The Whitsundays is located along Queensland's central coast in north-eastern Australia, approximately 1120km north of Brisbane and 630km south of Cairns. Getting to the Whitsundays is easy, whether driving from nearby towns or travelling from the other side of the world.
BY AIR
Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, offers the best range of connecting flights into the region. The following two airports service the Whitsundays daily:
Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI)
Located on Hamilton Island, the airport is serviced by Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Qantas Link with daily flights from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and connection points beyond. Cruise Whitsundays operates ferries from Hamilton Island to transfer passengers to Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast and other island resorts. View flight information for Great Barrier Reef Airport here.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP)
Whitsunday Coast Airport is located near Proserpine, approximately 25 minutes to Airlie Beach. The airport is currently serviced by three domestic carriers Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways. Virgin Australia and Jetstar offer daily flights from Brisbane and connecting flights from other cities. Tiger Airways provides direct flights to and from Sydney on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Buses and taxis meet every flight to transfer guests to Airlie Beach, or to ferries to the island resorts. Car and limousine hire is also available at the airport. View flight information for Whitsunday Coast Airport here.
Approximate Flight Durations
Cairns to Hamilton Island - 1 ½ hours
Brisbane to Whitsunday Coast - 1 ½ hours
Brisbane to Hamilton Island - 1 ½ hours
Sydney to Whitsunday Coast - 2 hours
Sydney to Hamilton Island - 2 hours
Melbourne to Hamilton Island - 3 hours
BY ROAD
The Bruce Highway is the major road linking Queensland's coastal cities and towns. The Bruce Highway runs through Proserpine and Bowen, with Airlie Beach located approximately 20 minutes drive off the Bruce Highway at Proserpine. Just follow the signs to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands along Shute Harbour Road.
Major national coach operators such as Greyhound Australia, Premier and Oz Experience, include the Whitsundays in their regular scheduled services into the coastal community of Airlie Beach from all major centres along the east coast of Australia.
BY RAIL
Queensland Rail services include the Spirit of Queensland, linking Proserpine to all the major destinations from Cairns to Brisbane and beyond to Sydney and Melbourne. Taxis and Whitsunday Transit buses meet every arriving train to provide transfers from Proserpine to Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and the island resorts. Coach transfers between Proserpine and Airlie Beach are included in rail travel passes. Find out more here.
*Source Tourism Whitsundays
Amenities and Things To Do
With its roots tourism, and 74 tropical islands just off the coast, there is no shortage of things to do in the Whitsundays for both locals and visitors. Tourism operators offer ample choices on the water and land to get closer to all the beauty the region has to offer. For more info on organising tours click here to visit the Tourism Whitsundays website.
*Source Tourism Whitsundays
MARINAS
There are multiple marina options in the region. Each facility offers different berthing, mooring and amenities for local and visiting sailors.
Abell Point Marina
Abell Point Marina is the main marina for overnight boat tours and day trips in the Whitsundays. It is located a short walk from the main street in Airlie Beach.
Phone: 4946 2400
Port of Airlie
Port of Airlie is the newest marina in the Whitsundays, and is centrally located in Airlie Beach. It is home to the latest Maritime Terminal, where the ferries to Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Hayman Island depart from.
Phone: 1800 676 526
Whitsunday Sailing Club
With an expanding number of members, the sailing clubhouse features its own marina arm at Port of Airlie, duck pond, and has amenities for liveaboard sailors and a training centre.
Phone: 4946 6138
Shute Harbour Marina
Shute Harbour Marina is located on the far side of Airlie Beach and features a large undercover car park area and is the main departure facility for large cargo vessels, as well as several Whitsundays tours.
Phone: 0417 894 837
Hamilton Island Marina
This busy marina can only be utilised by approved vessels and is the main point to transfer travellers to/from the mainland.
Phone: 4946 8353
Hayman Island Marina
This is a very private, exclusive facility and all travel arrangements must be made with Hayman Island directly.
Phone: 4940 1882
* Currently closed for maintenance
Bowen Boat Harbour
The facility offers berth and moorings and is located on Santa Barbara Parade. Bowen is home to the North Queensland Cruise Yacht Club.
Phone: 4965 6400
*Source sailing-whitsundays.com
MARKETS
The Airlie Beach markets are held every Saturday from 7am -1pm. You will find the markets dotted along the Esplanade on the Airlie Beach foreshore. The open air markets include premier art and hand craft showcases, locally made jewellery, clothing, souvenirs, books, fruit and vegetables and lots of entertainment.
The Bowen markets take place on Sunday mornings at Hansen Park, on Horseshoe Bay Road from 8am - 12pm.
*Source Tourism Whitsundayds
LIBRARIES
Whitsunday Regional Libraries have four branches located at Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville and Proserpine. The libraries have something for everyone. Membership is free if you live in the Whitsunday Regional Council area or if you are a Queensland resident. For more info on libraries in the region click here.
*Source Whitsunday Regional Council
AQUATIC FACILITIES
Council made a unanimous decision on 8 November 2017 to allow free entry to all Council aquatic facilities across the region as of 1 January 2018.
Airlie Beach Lagoon
The Airlie Beach Lagoon is free and open to everyone. The lagoon is 4,300sqm and 4.5 million litres of fresh, self-chlorinated water, located parallel to the Main Street, on the foreshore of Airlie Beach.
It provides an environment that is completely safe from stingers, all year round. The lagoon includes include a sheltered toddlers wading pool, a shallow, 1.5 metre maximum depth children's pool and a larger pool which has a maximum depth of 2 metres and separate swimming lanes for fitness enthusiasts.
It is built on a raised breakwater, giving an excellent view out to the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.
Lifeguards patrol the lagoon from 9am – 7pm during winter and 8am – 9pm during summer.
Other aquatic facilities in the region are listed below. Click here for a link to the Council website with more info on each.
Proserpine Water Park and Proserpine Swimming Pool
Bowen Water Park and Bowen Swimming Pool
Collinsville Swimming Pool
*Source Whitsunday Regional Council
*Source Endless Oceans
*Source summerreadingclub.org.au
*Source Tourism Whitsundays
*Source Tourism Whitsundays
*Source Queensland Government
*Source Queensland.com
Hospitals, Doctors and Aged Care
Hospitals
The major hospital servicing the region is Proserpine Hospital, located in Proserpine. This is a public hospital with 24 Hour Emergency Department as well as various clinics and specialty services. For more information visit the Proserpine Hospital website.
The next closest hospitals are located approximately an hour and a half drive away in Mackay. Mackay Base Hospital is a public hospital and Mater Misericordiae Hospital offers private care. Click the respective links for their websites.
Doctors
Doctors offices and related services in the area are readily available and always taking new patients in need. A quick search online will provide options and contact details for your specific area.
Aged Care
There are multiple aged care homes and services operating in the Whitsunday Region. Below is a non-exhaustive list of homes.
Proserpine Nursing Home, Proserpine
Hazelwood Hostel, Proserpine
Murroona Gardens, Bowen
Bolton Clarke Cunningham Villas, Bowen
Hillside Haven Aged Care Facility, Collinsville
*Source www.villages.com.au
Schools
Education institutions in the Whitsundays include a mix of both public and private, and range from early childhood education all the way to tertiary education options.
For more information on public schools visit the Queensland Government website.
Pets
The Whitsundays is a very pet friendly and beautiful place to call home. With the most common pets being dogs and cats, the Council requires dog and cat registrations. Regos are due each financial year commencing 1 July and concessions apply for desexed, microchipped & desexed dogs and pensioners.
Pet Friendly Cafes and Accommodation
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Le Sorelle Coffee House - allow pets on the front patio
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Abell Point Marina - however guests requesting pets to stay need to fill out a form before it is approved
-
Rose Bay Resort - two pet-friendly apartments available, please request when booking
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Whitsunday Rainforest Retreats - when booking a whole villa
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Seabreeze Tourist Park
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Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park
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Fat Frog Beach Café - also have a menu especially for dogs
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Airlie Motor Lodge - $25 per pet per night
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BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
Dog Off-lead Locations
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Queens Beach, Bowen
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Doughty Creek Mouth, Bowen
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Kings Beach, Bowen
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Denison Park, Bowen
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Western end of Cannonvale Beach, Coral Esplanade, Cannonvale
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Bicentennial Park, Cannonvale
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Whitsunday Sportspark, adjacent to the Australian Rules goal posts, Jubilee Pocket
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Keith Jones Estate Park, Renwick Road Park, Proserpine
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Jubilee Pocket Park, Sunbird Close, Jubilee Pocket
These dog off-leash locations are open all day, during daylight hours, except Cannonvale beach which is open between 5:00am - 7:00am.
*Source Whitsunday Regional Council
Water and Rubbish Removal
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Amenities and Things To Do
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