Whitsunday Islands Camping Adventure

Welcome to the Whitsundays! Your camping adventure begins at Airlie Beach, where you’ll meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers for a 12pm welcome meeting. Once the formalities are out of the way, you may like to join your new travel buddies for an optional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch join your leader for a hike to the Honeyeater Lookout - a spectacular and adventurous hike on steep and rugged terrain. But trust us, the panoramic views over Airlie Beach and out to the Whitsunday Islands are well worth it and a perfect introduction to the area! All up it is a 5km round trip (approximately 2 hours). This afternoon is all about getting to know Airlie Beach with your local leader, and there are loads of fantastic options available, depending on the interests of the group. Perhaps take another 5km walk along the Airlie Beach board walk, passing by lively cafes and secluded beaches along the way. The lagoon, a huge oceanfront swimming pool, is the town’s centrepiece and the perfect spot for a refreshing swim while taking in views of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.

Rise and shine – it’s time to get on the water! Head to Shute Harbour then join a local guide on a kayaking adventure, exploring fringing reefs and the islands of the Whitsundays. Paddle over paradisiacal blue waters as your guide introduces you to the splendid biodiversity of marine and birdlife in the region, including eagles and sea turtles. If travelling between July and September, you may even be lucky enough to paddle alongside humpback whales! You’ll have the chance to stop off at one of the nearby islands (seasonal) to swim, explore and enjoy some refreshments before heading back to Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries, as well as purchasing provisions for the next two nights of camping. Your leader will be on hand to help with meal planning – cooking equipment, coolers and water are all provided.

Travel to Shute Harbour this morning and hop aboard a water taxi to Whitehaven Beach, the jewel in the crown of the Whitsundays. Famed for its unbelievable white sand beaches and dazzling blue waters, the beach is popular with day trippers who hop across from the mainland, but once they head home for the day, the place is left to the campers. Set up camp among eucalypt woodland, just behind the beach, then enjoy an afternoon to explore the island. You may like to take a walk up to an amazing lookout to get a full picture of the area, visit the gorgeous Chance Bay or stroll the whole 7km to the northern end of the beach where you’ll find the unique swirling sands of Hill Inlet. The inlet also serves as a nursery for marine life – take a closer look and you may see small fish as well as baby string rays and lemon sharks. If you’re after some peace and quiet, Betty’s Beach is the spot for you – this lesser-known beach is the ideal place for a swim without the crowds. Once the sun has gone down, settle in for a night of camping among one of Australia’s most magnificent landscapes.

Start the day with a hike with your leader to uncover more of Whitsunday Island and learn a little more about the flora and fauna here – the island is home to all sorts of fascinating creatures. Keep an eye out for dolphins off the coastline, eagles soaring overhead and monitor lizards lazing on the beach. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this slice of paradise and tick off any activities you may not have had time for yesterday, or perhaps you’d prefer to stretch out on the beach and relax among your glorious surroundings.

Pack up camp, enjoy a final dip in the ocean then leave the Whitehaven Beach behind. Take a water taxi back to Airlie Beach on the mainland, where on arrival your adventure will come to an end. Please note the water taxi schedule can vary, and we recommend not booking any onward flights before 8pm.