The Whitsundays family-friendly travel guide

The Whitsundays enjoy a warm, tropical climate year-round with the occasional tropical shower from December through February. Almost too good to be true, the water temperatures hold a steady average of about 25 degrees Celsius most of the year.

Maximum summer temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius. This is also when the highest rainfall is recorded, during tropical showers which are usually brief.

The maximum winter temperatures are approximately 24 degrees Celsius.

The Whitsundays are accessible by car or plane, with light aircraft and boat transfers between islands.

Qantas operate flights daily to Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine and Virgin operate daily flights to Mackay from destinations throughout Australia.

The highway to Proserpine and the road into Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour are suitable for all vehicles. Brisbane to Airlie Beach is roughly a 14-hour drive. Cairns to Airlie Beach is about seven hours.

The Whitsundays are connected by buses. You can find routes and timetable information here.

The Whitsundays is the perfect Great Barrier Reef holiday spot for top-quality dining experiences. Fussy kids will be well-catered for, too, with a huge variety of dining choices in the many restaurants that have great menus for the littles ones.

Wherever you choose to eat, you’ll know the ingredients are always fresh, with a vast array of fruit, vegetables, meats and seafood all produced in the Queensland area. If you’re a bit of an angler, you’ll be pleased to know that many restaurants in the Whitsundays will be happy to cook your catch to perfection for you.

Shopping is part of the island experience in the Whitsundays. Shop with the locals at supermarkets and specialty stores for fresh local produce, groceries, arts & crafts as well as distinctively Australian resort & surf fashion and accessories. Just about everything you could need during your stay is available in the Airlie Beach shopping centres, or the stores at your island resort.

Be sure to check out the open-air markets held every Saturday at Airlie Beach. Browse the stalls for fresh fruit and veggies, along with arts and crafts such as ceramics and hand blown glass, while you enjoy live entertainment and one of the best views on the Queensland coast.

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

Light, natural-fibre casual clothing is suitable for any time of the year in the Whitsundays. A windcheater is useful for sailing and for the cooler evenings of the tropical winter. Don’t forget swimming and snorkelling gear, towels, hats and plenty of sunscreen.

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

By and large, the Whitsundays is considered a safe destination, although still exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

Located on the northern end of one of the world’s most famous beaches, Hill Inlet overlooks Whitehaven Beach and the perfect spot to watch (and photograph!) the changing, swirling sands. As the tide shifts, the white sand and blue hues of the water blend together to create a stunning mosaic of colours.

Just a small speck in the larger landscape of the Great Barrier Reef and similar to tiger reef lagoons except for one major factor: it is host to Heart Reef (a chunk of coral in the perfect shape of a love heart). If your budget allows it, the best way to take a photo of Heart Reef is to take a helicopter ride.