Visiting The Whitsundays From The UK: Everything You Need To Know
The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise full of gorgeous islands, vibrant reefs, and seemingly never-ending sunshine. It’s the perfect place for a getaway from the UK! Here is our complete guide to planning your trip to the Whitsundays from the UK, including tips for flights, visas, accommodations, activities, and more.
Complete Guide To Visiting The Whitsundays From The UK
Visiting the Whitsundays from the UK has never been easier! With the abundance of international flights, the ease of applying for visas online, and the multitude of amazing activities, anyone can plan their perfect trip to paradise in Australia.
But because the Whitsundays are so far from the UK, advance planning is essential. To help you get organised, here is our expert list of tips and recommendations for visiting the Whitsundays from the UK.
How to get to the Whitsundays from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to the Whitsundays, but you can easily fly there with a couple of layovers on the way. If you have time to do some online research, and you have flexibility in your travel dates, you can get creative with layovers and find some affordable flights.
Fly from the UK to Sydney or Brisbane
The first step is to fly to Australia from the UK. Flights are generally between 20 and 24 hours, with at least one stopover in between. You can find frequent flights to Australia from popular UK cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. There are also flights from Dublin, Ireland.
Common stopovers on your flight to Australia may include Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuala Lumpur. Sydney and Brisbane are the two most popular arrival cities in Australia. You can also fly to Melbourne or Perth, but Sydney and Brisbane are much closer to the Whitsundays.
Fly from Sydney or Brisbane to the Whitsundays
Once you arrive in Sydney or Brisbane, take a few days to relax and enjoy the city before heading up to the Whitsundays. You want to be fully rested for your adventures in paradise!
When you’ve had your fill of the city, book a cheap domestic flight to Proserpine Airport or Hamilton Island Airport. Both are convenient places for exploring the Whitsundays, and I’ll discuss the differences between the two shortly. Flights to the Whitsundays from Brisbane are one hour, and flights to the Whitsundays from Sydney are two hours.
Flying into Proserpine Airport vs. Hamilton Island Airport
You can fly into either Proserpine Airport or Hamilton Island Airport on your journey to the Whitsundays from the UK. Hamilton Island Airport is located, of course, on Hamilton Island! If you are planning to stay on this island and explore the Whitsundays from there, you may want to fly directly to Hamilton Island.
If you plan to stay in Airlie Beach on the Australian mainland and explore the islands from there, you can fly into Proserpine Airport. Also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, this airport is located just a quick 30-minute drive from Airlie Beach.
Driving to the Whitsundays
You can also travel to the Whitsundays by car or campervan! But if you’re coming to Australia from the UK, you will likely start your journey in Sydney or Brisbane. Driving to the Whitsundays from these cities will take at least a week, assuming you want to stop and explore on the way.
If you have a longer trip with plenty of time to spare, a road trip along Australia’s East Coast is a dreamy way to travel! But if you’re short on time, it’s much quicker to just fly to the Whitsundays.
Don’t forget your visa!
Every visitor to Australia needs a visa, even those from the UK (which has a great relationship with Australia). Make sure you apply for your visa online in advance. Many visitor visas are granted within days, but it’s still a good idea to apply a few weeks before your trip just in case it takes longer. Nothing worse than stressing about a last-minute visa approval! Apply for your Australian visa on the Immigration website.
Where to stay in the Whitsundays
There are lots of amazing places to stay in the Whitsundays. Many choose to stay in Airlie Beach on the mainland, which has a diverse array of accommodations for all types of travellers and budget ranges. There are hostels, resorts, and everything in between. If you’re looking for more affordable budget stays, Airlie Beach is the best option.
If you prefer to stay on an island, Hamilton Island is the most popular choice. This beautiful island has upscale resorts and nice amenities, and it conveniently has its own airport. Other nearby islands with their own luxury resorts include Daydream Island, Long Island, Hayman Island, and more.
What to do in the Whitsundays
Once you arrive in the Whitsundays, there are so many fun ways to explore the islands and reefs. Boat tours are the obvious choice, as you can sail through the turquoise waters with ease and visit Whitehaven Beach and epic snorkel spots. Choose day boat tours if you’re short on time, or an overnight boat tour for a longer sailing experience. If you prefer a customised itinerary without the crowds, you can also book a private charter!
Other ways to explore the Whitsundays include scenic flights, Outer Reef pontoons, jet ski tours, fishing tours, sunset cruises, and more. There are hikes and waterfalls on the mainland around Airlie Beach as well. Whether you want to frolic in the Great Barrier Reef, snap a photo at Hill Inlet Lookout, or fly over the Heart Reef, you can do it all in the Whitsundays!
See the best of the Whitsundays during your stay!
How many days do you need in the Whitsundays?
If you’re coming all the way from the UK to the Whitsundays, you’ll want to spend at least 3 days here at the absolute minimum. 5 days is ideal, and a week is even better! Especially if you want to experience the magic of an overnight sailing tour, you could easily spend 3 days and 3 nights at sea followed by a few days of mainland activities. You will truly never run out of things to do in this gorgeous tropical location.
When is the best time to visit the Whitsundays?
You can visit the Whitsundays year-round, though the best weather occurs between April and October. These are the cooler and drier months of the year, when sailing conditions are premium and you might even spot whales in the waters.
However, if you’re keen to escape the cold of the UK winter, you can still visit between November and March. This is the summer and wet season in the Whitsundays, so rain may be more frequent. But Queensland is the Sunshine State after all, and bright sunny days are still possible in summer. So you can’t go wrong with any trip to the Whitsundays, though many favour the dry season.
What to pack for the Whitsundays
When visiting the Whitsundays from the UK, pack how you would for any tropical destination! Also prepare for Australia by bringing a credit card, Australian plug adaptors, and your important travel documents. Many toiletries you can easily buy when you arrive if you don’t want to pack too much. Recommended things to pack for the Whitsundays include:
- Swimmers
- Sandals
- Lightweight, breathable clothes
- Warm layers for the winter months
- Rain jacket for the summer months
- Camera, phone, and chargers
- Refillable water bottle
- Small, soft bag to bring on day trips or overnight sails
- Walking shoes for hikes and exploring
- Hat and sunglasses
- Entertainment for travel days
