Top 5 Tips For Planning A Holiday In The Whitsundays
Are you considering a trip to the Whitsundays? We're not surprised! The Whitsundays are the ultimate holiday destination for anyone keen to soak up the sunshine and get out on the water. From the world famous white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, there is so much that makes this tropical corner of Australia special.
To make sure your Whitsunday vacation lives up to all of your expectations, we've put together our top 5 tips on how to go about planning and booking your trip, hassle-free!
1. Consider which tour is best for you
The Whitsundays offer a huge variety of day and overnight tours to suit every type of traveller. Day trips range from scenic flights to fast speed boat-style trips to more relaxed, family-friendly tours around the islands. The overnight vessels are certainly the most popular choice, are great-value and allows guests to see and experience the best of the region. Because there are so many trips, our travel consultants may ask you the following questions to help you narrow down your choices:
- What dates would you like to depart? Are you flexible with dates?
- Are you looking for a fun, backpacker boat or more of a quiet relaxed trip?
- Do you want to scuba dive or happy with lots of snorkelling?
- Do you want a private cabin (based on 2 people sharing) or happy with shared/open plan accommodation?
- Do you have a budget in mind?
These are just some of the top things to do in the Whitsundays!
2. Plan travel arrangements
Whether you are travelling from somewhere overseas or somewhere within Australia, it is a good idea to think about the logistics of your holiday. Airlie Beach is approximately 1,000 kilometres north of Brisbane and some 600 kilometres south of Cairns, and there are direct flights operating from Brisbane and Sydney on Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Air. We encourage all travellers to arrive the day prior to any tour departures (particularly overnight sailing trips). We also encourage every traveller to obtain travel insurance. For more information, check out our full guide on how to get to Airlie Beach.
3. Check availability
The most sought-after vessels are almost always booked out ahead of time, so it is vital to check availability before booking anything. The most popular trips are generally on catamarans or feature low passenger numbers and private cabins, so if you are considering one of these vessels, get in touch with our travel consultants as soon as possible to make sure they're not yet sold out. If possible, we encourage travellers to have some flexibility with their departure dates to ensure you get the vessel of your choice.
4. Book ahead
As a world-class destination, all holidays to the Whitsunday region must be booked well in-advance to avoid disappointment. When booking ahead, it is important to look at when the peak times of travel are such as school holidays, the Christmas period, Easter and public holidays. To book, chat to our travel consultants who can book all tours, accommodation and airport transfers for you.
5. Pack appropriately
Though the Whitsundays region enjoys sunny weather all-year round, it is important to pack according to the season. Bring a coat/cardigan and long pants during autumn and winter for the cooler evenings, and light, sun-protective clothing for spring and summer seasons when UV levels are particularly high. Other suitcase essentials are a wide-brim hat, comfortable everyday clothing, comfortable shoes, swimmers and a towel. Also don't forget your sunscreen (and lots of it) as well as a water bottle.
Please note, you will only be permitted to bring one small overnight bag on any overnight sailing trips, but there are luggage storage facilities available in Airlie Beach.
