Whitsunday Region

The Whitsundays trade ordinary beach holidays for something closer to a natural miracle, white sand, clear water and reef scattered across 74 islands. Whitehaven Beach's sand is pure enough silica that it stays cool underfoot even in the tropical heat, regularly ranked among the best beaches on Earth. Fly over Heart Reef to see the only naturally heart-shaped coral formation of its kind, a shape no one planned and everyone photographs. Airlie Beach anchors it all as the main departure point, sailing trips and reef tours both leaving daily. However you spend the time, the water does most of the convincing.