Whitsundays Events 2016
January
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - 13th
The famous Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is set sail to the sailing mecca of the Whitsundays early January. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will stop into Abell Point Marina as part of the Australia leg of the race for several days. The yachts will stay in Airlie Beach for a number of days before continuing on the next leg to Vietnam.
Australia Day - 26th
The Whitsundays will join in this national celebration at a number of different venues and events for the whole family. The official Australia Day event hosted by Whitsunday Regional Council will include the annual Australia Day awards.
February
Chinese New Year (Year of the Monkey) - 8th
Valentine’s Day - February 14
March
Good Friday - 25th
Easter Saturday - 26th
Easter Sunday - 27th
Easter Monday - 28th
April
Chocolate Week - 2 to 8 April
Getting children into the kitchen, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort' brings Chocolate week. Everything held in this week f activities is themed chocolate – from movies, cooking classes,, treasure hunts and more.
ANZAC Day - Monday 25th
May
Endurance Series: Stamford Financial Hamilton Hilly Half Marathon - 1st
Hamilton Island is the proud host of The Stamford Financial Hamilton Hilly Half Marathon which stretches along a 21 kilometre route throughout the island’s roads, fire trails and walking tracks. This event has categories for juniors and seniors and is a great way to test your skills in a lovely part of the Whitsundays. It is a part of Hamilton’s Endurance Series.
Whitsunday SUP Challenge - 8 to 14th
This event includes log and short courses around the Whitsunday island held throughout the week. Inviting both professional and amateur SUP boarder.
June
July
Grandparents Week – 29 Jun to 6th
Go back in time and enjoy some old fashion games for the whole family to enjoy.BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has put together a great week of fun indoor and outdoor games including kite flying, knitting, cooking, bingo and mini golf. There will also be great meals provided and plenty of entertainment in the evenings including movie night.
Bowen Offshore Superboats - 23 to 24th
In 2016, Bowen will One of the biggest event to hit Bowen, the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships is back in 2016. During this ‘round’ of the Championships, Bowen play host to weekend of festivities and entertainment which is perfect for the whole family.
Hamilton Endurance Series: Clash of the Paddles - 29 to 31st
The next event of the Endurance Series is the popular Clash of the paddles again hosted by Hamilton Island. Quickly becoming one of the biggest events, is section of the series includes outrigger, canoe and paddling categories.
August
Whitsunday Reef Festival - 5 to 14th
Now a weeklong series of festivities, the Whitsunday Reef Festival involves celebrations and events for the whole family. Bringing the whole street of Airlie Beach alive, The Reef Festival includes the Rotary Street Parade, plenty of after-dark parties, fireworks and heaps of activities for children.
Airlie Beach Race Week - 11 to 18th
Whitsunday Sailing Club is set to bring a bigger Airlie Beach Race Week in 2016 – attracting thousands of sailors to the region for a great week of competitive sailing paradise. With exciting sailing around the Whitsunday islands every day, everyone is invited to head to the club after each race for the great parties every evening.
Hamilton Island Race Week - 20 to 27th
Hamilton Island Race Week is the next big event on Queensland sailing calendar following Airlie Beach Race Week. This event includes a week of competitive sailing around the Whitsunday islands, followed by great island festivities and entertainment each day.
Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Rendezvous - 25 to 28th
This fast growing fundraising event is for everybody, and now attracts sailors and non-sailors from around Australia to Cape Gloucester every year. THE SICYC club has a massive number of members who are all ‘vice commodores’. This fantastic inclusive events raises vital funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
September
October
Queen’s Birthday - 3rd
November
Airlie Beach Festival of Music - 3 to 6th
For music lovers or those who just want to join in the fun, this festival of music is on a mammoth scale, featuring a huge number of bands over 3 massive days as well as a major stage for the main artists each evening at the Whitsunday Sailing Club!
Hamilton Endurance Series: Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon - 12th
The next leg of the Hamilton Island Endurance Series is the Triathlon. Attracting top athletes from near and far, the triathlon includes a 750 metre swim in Catseye Bay, a 20 kilometre ride a 5 kilometre run
Hamilton Island Fujifilm Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim - 13th
The final feat of the Endurance Series is the unique Whitehaven each Ocean Swim. This annual event for an ocean swim event than at one of Australia's most pristine and iconic beaches, Whitehaven Beach. The annual event includes a 2 kilometre and 750 metre meet, plus a fun 350 metre junior swim.
Schoolies Week - 19 to 26th
The official week of celebrations for year 12 leavers. The Whitsundays is a great destination to enjoy Schoolies with multitude of parties and events organised each day and night for the thousands of young people celebrating finishing school.
December
Christmas Day - 25th
Boxing Day - 26th
New Years Eve – 31st
The Whitsundays is a popular place to celebrate New Years and the whole town comes alive as the sun goes down and continues right through to the new year count down.
