Travelling to the Whitsundays

Updated Tue 02 Jan 2024

Fly, drive, coach or rail - there are numerous ways to get to the Whitsundays depending on your budget and timeframe. We've listed a few of the ways you can get here below to help you make the best decision for your upcoming journey!

Fly

If you’re flying in from overseas your best option is to fly into Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns or Melbourne, and jump on a domestic flight to one of the two local domestic airports. For the sake of ease; Brisbane offers a wider range and often cheaper selection of connecting flights to the Whitsundays, but there are other flights available domestically. The two domestic airports servicing the area are:

Hamilton Island Airport

Daily flights from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and connection point beyond.
Serviced by: Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tiger Air
Approximate Flight Times:

Brisbane: 1.5 hours
Sydney: 2 hours
Cairns: 1.5 hours
Melbourne: 3 hours

Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine)

There are many flights throughout the week from Brisbane, Syndey and Melbourne. Buses and taxis meet every flight to transfer guests to Airlie Beach ferries and islands resorts.
Serviced By: Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tiger Air
Approximate flight times:

Brisbane - 1.5 hours
Melbourne - 3 hours
Sydney - 2.5 hours

Coach/ Bus

If you’re unsure of your goals, or simply want the freedom to explore a bit more of Australia, a bus pass it a great choice. There are two main companies to choose from: Greyhound Australia and Premier Buses. They are both a great way to save some money and enjoy travelling around the country, seeing all the sights along the way! Click here to read the differences between the two companies and make the right decision for you!
Approximate Journey Times:

Brisbane: 18-24 hours
Sydney: 1-2 days
Cairns: 10-12 hours
Melbourne: 2+ days

Train

With Proserpine Railway Station being the nearest station and easy transfers to Airlie Beach.
For your best call for train info and timetable click here.

Talk to our travel experts and find out which mode of transport is right for you and will work best with your travel plans. For more information about getting to the Whitsundays, click here.