Think of the Whitsundays and it’s easy to imagine luxe resorts, romantic honeymoons and the recently-popularised babymoon. Because of this high-end reputation, many locals can dismiss the Whitsundays as a place only reserved for newlyweds and retirees. Honestly, I was one of them.
But now, post-Whitsundays adventure, I’m a total convert and a stringent advocate of the interstate Queensland holiday. Here’s how to do the Whitsundays if you’re more into adrenaline-pumping adventure than champagne and penthouses.
How can I get there?
Located along Queensland’s central coast, the Whitsundays is accessible by air travel. Virgin Australia operates daily services between Brisbane and Proserpine (AKA Whitsunday Coast Airport). Virgin Australia also operates services to Hamilton Island if you’d like to base yourself there and ferry over to the Whitsundays. As Hannah Montana famously said, ‘You get the best of both worlds.’
There are up to nine flights per week to Hamilton Island from Brisbane, daily flights from Sydney and up to three per week from Melbourne. Nab your own flights here and create an alert for cheap travel so you don’t miss out.
As tourists, it’s so easy to want to head overseas or book in a quick city escape but this trip showed me that the most beautiful and awe-inspiring adventures can be right in your backyard.
Jet setting
Ever been on a rollercoaster on the water? The Pioneer Adventure Jet Boat (aptly titled Wild Thing) is a turbo-charged, 30-minute adrenaline-pumping adventure. You begin calmly in Airlie Beach’s Pioneer Bay, boarding a gently rocking boat. Next minute, it’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
You’re flung into high-speed 360s, hairpin drifts, and power stops so sharp they defy the laws of physics. It’s half theme park ride, half wet t-shirt contest. And your skipper? The man is part DJ, part stunt driver, part absolute chaos goblin.
The boat rips through the bay with views of mega-mansions, lush islands and maybe even a casual sea turtle cameo. There are GoPros on board to capture your soggy screams (free of charge, thank god), and a new profile pic that screams “I fear nothing”.
Everyone on the boat will be grinning ear-to-ear as you come back down to earth (literally) and realise that the Whitsundays isn’t just your grandma’s holiday.
Book a wild ride with Pioneer Adventure Jet Boat here.
Bike and hike the Whitsundays
Like most inner-city 20-somethings, mountain biking isn’t a hobby I get to partake in regularly (or, ever). But, in the spirit of embracing adventure, I literally got on the saddle and gave it a red hot crack.
On the Bike & Hike Whitsundays tour you’re given access to an electric mountain bike, a helmet (of course), gloves and glasses. Safety is hot, people.
It’s all set in the Conway National Park. The ancient rainforest (which is older than the Whitsunday Islands themselves) includes the Conway Peninsula and protects a large area of lowland tropical rainforest.
Tour guide, Dylan, is the owner and head tour guide of Bike & Hike Whitsunday and has a huge amount of knowledge of the local land. Being a small group tour, each person felt comfortable and received words of encouragement (especially over those trickier hills).
The half-day tour sees you cycling 23km through the picturesque rainforest. You also hurtle down hills and over creeks which is sure to get even the most active person’s heart pumping. Dylan stopped every now and then to share his extensive knowledge on the ancient flora and fauna that calls Conway National Park its home. If you love adventure and a bit of local knowledge to take home with you, this one’s for you.
Book a half-day cycling tour for $179 here.
Secluded scenery
If your idea of a Whitsundays day trip involves sipping rosé on a slow-moving boat, keep scrolling. Ocean Rafting’s Northern Exposure tour is for the adventure-fiends among us who like their beaches with a side of speed.
Northern Exposure is a Whitsundays day trip that offers two incredible snorkelling stops (for the price of one). After bounding across the crystal clear waters, we docked at a secluded snorkelling spot around Hook Island. The friendly tour guides know the reef inside out and will take you to the good bits (read: maximum marine life).
Once you’ve had your David Attenborough moment underwater, the tour drops you at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach for a visit to the famous Hill Inlet. Despite multiple tour groups being around, I can guarantee that we felt like VIPs on a private trip.
After a brisk bushwalk, you reach the Hill Inlet viewpoint, giving you a panoramic look at the picturesque scene. It’s easy to want to spend hours at Hill Inlet, taking in the jaw-dropping, zero-filter-required beauty. After a day adventuring with Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure I almost forgot Slack existed (almost).
Adult passes for the tour are $209 per person which honestly feels cheap for the incredible day-long experience you receive.
Book an Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure trip here.
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
While a stroll along Airlie Beach and a stop in at Coral Sea Pavillion is relaxing, when on an adventure holiday in Queensland, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. The Outer Reef Snorkel Adventure by Red Cat Adventures is the day trip to make to get your fill of snorkelling.
You board the boat at Coral Sea Marina early, get fitted with a snorkel suit, and cruise out to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This is a full-day activity so you can really immerse yourself in the reef and turtle-watching (yes, we got to swim with actual turtles). ‘Duuuuude.’
The snorkelling goes from “jaw dropping” to “am I dreaming?” as you circle massive bommies buzzing with marine life and stare in awe at colorful coral. The tour group is a good size so you’re not swimming on top of each other once you’re out in the ocean, and the guides make you feel safe and secure.
While the guides want every adventurer to enjoy themselves, it’s recommended you have a strong level of swimming to get the most out of this experience. You’re in the middle of the ocean, remember.
We all know the Great Barrier Reef is under threat from climate change, and that’s something this adventure tour doesn’t shy away from raising awareness about. Red Cat Adventures are accredited Climate Action Leaders and share the importance of looking after our beautiful planet. Something you’ll feel even more passionately about post-day-trip.
Book an adventure day trip to the Great Barrier Reef with Red Cat Adventures here.
Day tripper
The Coastal Explorer Bus Tour by Iconic Whitsunday Adventures whisks you through the Whitsunday “other half” – the lush hinterland. On the all-inclusive full-day bus tour, you’ll see Queensland sights starting with Cedar Creek Falls. If you’re lucky, (and the weather’s been wet enough), you can dive into the refreshing freshwater hole. If you’re up for it, hike to the top of the waterfall for a picturesque view of the hinterland.
Do you love collecting braggable moments for your mates back home? On the Coastal Explorer Bus Tour, you’ll be driven through cane farms and cattle properties to reach a secret secluded beach. Try and spot Frog Rock and take in the views. How’s the serenity??
Lunch is booked in for you at Cape Gloucester Resort, because even the most adventurous holidays need a touch of peace and quiet, right? In my opinion, the lunch views rival scenery from Fiji or Hawaii. The Coastal Explorer Bus Tour is the road‑trip party you didn’t know your holiday needed and a nice break from underwater life.
Book your seat on the air-conditioned bus day trip here.
From jet boat tours to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and biking through rainforests, the Whitsundays really can be the adventure holiday you’re looking for. Whether you’re chasing high-speed sight-seeing, reef serenity or just want to brag that you swam with a turtle and drank a cocktail before noon, this pocket of Queensland delivers for yes, romantic holidays, but also thrill-seeking fiends.
Nab your flights via Virgin Australia today.
Jasmine was a guest of Virgin Australia and Tourism Whitsundays.
The post How To Do An Adrenaline-Pumping Whitsundays Holiday ‘Cos It’s Not All Champagne & Caviar appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
