A Local's Guide To Secret Walks In The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is home to some of the best scenery in the world. From natural phenomena such as Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef, the Whitsundays has no shortage of beauty. While the icons are a must-see during your trip to the Whitsundays, the nature walks are just as impressive. Yes, there are the well-known walks, such as the hike to Hill Inlet Lookout, and the scenic Airlie Beach boardwalk, but most people don’t realise there are so many other hidden walks off the beaten track nestled within the Whitsundays.
As someone who loves to explore the outdoors and has lived in the Whitsundays for the past four years, I can confidently say that I know the best hikes in the area. So, while I do love the popular hikes (I mean, can you ever get sick of Hill Inlet Lookout?!), I also like escaping the crowds. Here are some of the best ‘secret’ walks in the Whitsundays, in my opinion!
South Molle Island Walking Track
South Molle Island is one of the closest islands from Airlie Beach, and is part of the Molle Island Group. South Molle was once home to a thriving resort, which was damaged in a cyclone and remains abandoned today. To reach South Molle Island, you need access to a boat. If you don’t have your own boat, you can book a boat tour that will stop off at the island. Another fun way to explore is by booking a camping tour where you can have the island to yourself!
The walking trail across the island is stunning. From rolling hills to dense rainforest, the terrain will take your breath away. You can map out your route, whether you want to explore the heart of the island or head straight to the Spion Kop lookout. There are signs across the island that will help point you in the right direction. You will also need to have a moderate level of fitness to do this walk.
The main trail most people take is from the old South Molle Resort to the Spion Kop lookout, which is roughly 5km return and takes about an hour to complete. I would argue that this is one of the prettiest hikes in the Whitsundays.
Coral Beach Walk
Tucked away in the Conway National Park, on the Whitsundays mainland, is the Coral Beach Walk. To reach the walking trail, you need to make your way out to Shute Harbour. You can either drive yourself, grab an Uber or taxi, or catch the bus to the Shute Harbour Terminal and then walk to the trailhead.
The trail begins from the car park and winds through the forest, where you might spot local wildlife in the trees or along the path. The track takes roughly 1.1 km to reach the beach. You can either stop there and enjoy the views. Or you can continue to the right, walk along the beach and continue following the bush trail where you can reach The Beak lookout. If that’s the plan, the entire walk is 3.6km return, taking just under one hour to complete!
Coral Beach is a hidden bay, surrounded by luscious rainforest with views of the Whitsunday Islands. The beach isn’t composed of sand, instead it’s made up of small rocks, pebbles and, exactly like the name states, coral! You can swim, kayak, and relax on the beach - it’s also perfect for picnics. Just ensure you are stinger, crocodile and shark safe!
South Whitehaven Lookout
If you have the opportunity to visit Whitehaven Beach, be sure to head to the south end, where you will find this hidden gem. The South Whitehaven Lookout offers unique views of Chance Bay and Whitehaven Beach. It’s not quite the postcard-perfect view that Hill Inlet offers, but it’s incredibly beautiful too. Bonus points are that it’s far less crowded!
The walk to the lookout is short, roughly 1km in length from the beach, making it a round-trip of 2km. The trail is signposted, well-maintained and even suitable for those with a low level of fitness. It will take you approximately 20 minutes to make it there and back.
The South Whitehaven Lookout track is another walk that requires a boat to get to. There are plenty of day and overnight tours that stop at South Whitehaven if you don’t have a boat of your own. So, if you’re planning to visit Whitehaven Beach, be sure not to miss this lesser-known lookout!
Check out some of our top Whitsunday tours, including 2 day trips, 3 day cruises, and more!
Passage Peak on Hamilton Island
Another Whitsunday Island hike is Passage Peak on Hamilton Island. You can find the start of the hike at the Scenic Trail Entrance on the island. The hike is roughly 5.4km return, taking around an hour or so to complete. It’s a little more challenging than the others, as there’s quite a climb towards the end; a moderate to higher level of fitness is needed.
Passage Peak is the highest point on Hamilton Island, offering 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands and beyond. The hike has plenty of rest stops with seats and benches if needed. Definitely be sure to bring your camera along for this one, as the views are out of this world. For the perfect start to the day, this hike at sunrise is breathtaking.
To get to Hamilton Island to complete this walk, you can either catch the ferry from Airlie Beach and spend the day there. Or you can stay overnight on the island (that way you can do the hike at sunrise!).
Hot tip - I recommend tackling this hike in the winter months, as I attempted it at 6 am on a warm summer's day and practically melted! Definitely pack a small bag with water, sunscreen, and be sure to bring a hat.
Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail in Bowen
If you’re planning to visit Bowen in the Whitsundays, I highly recommend the Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail. You have two starting points to choose from. You can either start the hike at Horseshoe Bay or you can start at Rose Bay. The trail is 2.5km one way, so all-in-all it’s a 5km walk, taking one to two hours to complete, depending on stops (as there’s plenty you will want to see and stop for along the way).
The trail itself follows the coastline, winds through the bush, over hills, and traverses through Murray Bay. In parts, the hike can be a bit challenging, with plenty of stairs and rocky terrain to manoeuvre through. Along the walk, you will come across various lookout points, including Radar Bay Lookout, Mother Beddock Lookout, and the Rotary Lookout.
Be sure to pack a bag with swimwear, a towel, water, and of course, sunscreen. I recommend you start at Rose Bay around mid-morning, walk the trail to Horseshoe Bay, go for a swim there, grab lunch at the Horseshoe Bay cafe, and then return to Rose Bay after lunch. It’s the perfect midday activity!
