Reefsleep Returns: Wake Up on the Great Barrier Reef in a New Era of Great Barrier Reef Tourism

Reefsleep

Imagine falling asleep beneath a sky filled with stars and waking to the gentle movement of the Coral Sea, with the world's Great Barrier Reef unfolding around you.

That extraordinary experience is once again possible with the reopening of the transformed Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef, where Cruise Whitsundays is introducing a new era of overnight Great Barrier Reef tourism.

Reefsleep offers travellers the opportunity to spend the night on the outer reef rather than simply visiting for the day. Guests can enjoy premium dining, guided marine experiences and extended time in one of the world's most remarkable marine environments.

Located in the Whitsundays, the experience combines adventure, nature, comfort and exclusivity, creating a distinctive way to experience the Great Barrier Reef.

The reopening also represents an important investment in Queensland's nature-based tourism offering, backed by Journey Beyond's $42 million investment in the region.

A New Way to Experience the Great Barrier Reef

For many travellers, visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Traditional reef excursions allow visitors to spend several hours exploring coral gardens, swimming, snorkelling and discovering the extraordinary marine life of the Coral Sea before returning to the mainland or an island.

Reefsleep changes that formula.

Instead of leaving the reef at the end of the day, guests can remain at Hardy Reef and experience the transformation of the marine environment from daylight to sunset and then into the night.

The result is a much more immersive Great Barrier Reef holiday experience.

Day visitors see the reef in daylight. Reefsleep guests have the opportunity to experience its changing character over an extended stay.

Sleeping Beside Hardy Reef

The location is one of Reefsleep's greatest attractions.

Hardy Reef sits on the outer Great Barrier Reef and is renowned for its coral formations and marine life.

The reimagined Reefworld pontoon provides a comfortable base from which guests can explore this remarkable environment while enjoying the novelty of staying overnight on the reef.

As daylight fades, the experience changes again.

The colours of the reef and ocean give way to evening light, while the surrounding Coral Sea provides a spectacular setting for dinner and relaxation.

Later, guests can retreat to their accommodation with the knowledge that they are spending the night in one of Australia's most extraordinary natural environments.

Premium Dining Meets Reef Adventure

Reefsleep

Reefsleep is designed to combine nature-based adventure with a higher level of comfort and hospitality.

Premium dining forms an important part of the experience, allowing guests to enjoy quality food while surrounded by the spectacular marine environment of Hardy Reef.

This combination is increasingly important in modern nature-based tourism.

Today's travellers are looking for experiences that provide both authentic encounters with nature and the comfort, service and culinary quality expected from a premium holiday.

Reefsleep brings those elements together in a single overnight Great Barrier Reef experience.

Guided Marine Encounters

Extended time on the reef also creates opportunities for guests to explore the marine environment through guided experiences.

Snorkelling and marine encounters allow visitors to discover the extraordinary biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef at close range.

The reef is home to thousands of marine species, colourful coral communities and an intricate ecosystem that has developed over millions of years.

Having more time available means guests can experience the reef at different times of day and take a slower approach to exploring the underwater environment.

For travellers who are passionate about marine life, photography or nature, that additional time can make the experience particularly memorable.

The Magic of the Reef After Dark

One of the most distinctive aspects of an overnight reef experience is the opportunity to experience the Great Barrier Reef after the day visitors have departed.

The reef does not simply switch off when the sun sets.

The underwater environment changes as different marine creatures become active, while the absence of city lights creates an opportunity to experience the night sky far from Australia's urban centres.

The transition from daylight to darkness provides a perspective that cannot be experienced on a conventional day trip.

For visitors, it is a reminder that the Great Barrier Reef is a living ecosystem rather than simply a scenic attraction.

Journey Beyond Invests in the Whitsundays

Reefsleep

The renewed Reefsleep experience forms part of a significant investment in Queensland tourism.

Journey Beyond has committed $42 million to the region, supporting the transformation of the Reefworld experience and strengthening the Whitsundays' position as a premium nature-based tourism destination.

Investment of this scale demonstrates the continuing importance of the Great Barrier Reef to Queensland's visitor economy.

It also highlights the growing demand for high-quality experiences that allow travellers to engage with Australia's natural environments in new and memorable ways.

The Whitsundays: A Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

The Whitsundays is one of Australia's most celebrated holiday destinations, combining tropical islands, white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and direct access to the Great Barrier Reef.

For visitors planning a Queensland holiday, Reefsleep can become the centrepiece of a wider Whitsundays itinerary.

Travellers can combine an overnight reef experience with time exploring the Whitsunday islands, discovering the region's beaches, enjoying water-based activities or relaxing in one of the area's resorts.

The destination is particularly appealing to couples, honeymooners, nature lovers, adventure travellers and visitors seeking a premium Australian travel experience.

A Stronger Future for Nature-Based Tourism

The reopening of Reefworld also reflects a broader evolution in Australian tourism.

Travellers increasingly want experiences that provide a deeper connection with nature rather than simply sightseeing.

Nature-based tourism can provide visitors with memorable experiences while creating economic opportunities for regional communities and encouraging greater appreciation of Australia's environmental assets.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most recognisable natural attractions, and innovative experiences such as Reefsleep help provide new ways for visitors to appreciate its extraordinary environment.

The challenge for tourism operators is to ensure that visitor experiences are delivered responsibly and contribute to the long-term protection of the natural environment.

Why Reefsleep Should Be on Your Queensland Travel List

Reefsleep

For travellers searching for unique things to do in Queensland, Reefsleep offers something genuinely different.

It is not simply a Great Barrier Reef day trip.

It is an opportunity to remain on the outer reef, enjoy an elevated level of hospitality, experience guided marine encounters and discover the reef's changing atmosphere from day through to night.

For international visitors, it provides an unforgettable Australian nature experience.

For domestic travellers, it offers an opportunity to rediscover one of Australia's greatest natural attractions from a completely different perspective.

And for anyone planning a special celebration, romantic getaway or once-in-a-lifetime Queensland adventure, spending a night on the Great Barrier Reef provides an extraordinary travel memory.

Wake Up to the Great Barrier Reef

There are few travel experiences quite as remarkable as waking up surrounded by the Coral Sea.

The reopening of Reefworld at Hardy Reef gives travellers another reason to visit the Whitsundays and discover the Great Barrier Reef in a more immersive way.

With premium dining, guided marine experiences, overnight accommodation and direct access to the outer reef, Reefsleep represents a new chapter for Great Barrier Reef tourism.Backed by Journey Beyond's significant investment in the region, the transformed experience strengthens Queensland's reputation for world-class nature-based tourism and demonstrates how iconic Australian destinations can continue to evolve.

For those seeking an extraordinary Australian travel experience, the invitation is simple: travel beyond the shoreline, stay on the reef and wake up to one of the natural wonders of the world.

Cruise Whitsundays

Cruise Whitsundays

Website: https://www.cruisewhitsundays.com/
Email: reservations@cruisewhitsundays.com
Phone: +61 7 4946 4666
Address: Port of Airlie, Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach, Queensland 4802, Australia

Cruise Whitsundays operates experiences throughout the Whitsundays and provides access to the Great Barrier Reef, including Reefworld and Reefsleep.

For Reefsleep bookings, availability, inclusions and current travel information, visit the Cruise Whitsundays official website.

Journey Beyond

Website: https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/

Journey Beyond operates a portfolio of Australian tourism experiences spanning rail journeys, marine adventures and iconic nature-based destinations.

For more information about Journey Beyond and its Australian travel experiences, visit the Journey Beyond website.

Tourism Whitsundays

Website: https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/

For destination information, accommodation, attractions and holiday planning in the Whitsundays, visit the Tourism Whitsundays website.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine

The Holiday and Travel Magazine is a daily online travel publication covering Australian and international destinations, tourism experiences, hotels, resorts, airlines, cruises, events, business travel, sustainability and travel trends.

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/

Business is Booming in the Whitsundays with $1.6 Billion in Visitor Spend

Whitsundays

The Whitsundays has seen a spectacular resurgence in tourism, with the region welcoming a massive $1.6 billion in visitor spending for the year ending September 2024. The latest National and International Visitor Surveys (NVS and IVS) have revealed impressive growth, underlining the region’s resilience and enduring appeal to both domestic and international travellers.

With a total of 930,000 visitors, the Whitsundays has solidified its place as one of Australia’s top tourist destinations, driven by a robust domestic recovery and a strong rebound in key international markets. The data also highlights significant growth in overnight stays, longer visit durations, and higher spending, all of which reflect the growing desire to explore the breathtaking natural beauty and world-class experiences that the Whitsundays offers.

Key Statistics at a Glance:

• Total Visitor Expenditure: $1.6 billion
• Visitor Numbers: 930,000
• Overnight Stays: 3.3 million nights (up 6% from last year)
• Average Length of Stay: 4.4 nights
• Average Expenditure Per Visitor: $1,927 (up 10%)

The impressive results showcase that holidaymakers remain a key driver, with 528,000 holiday visitors contributing to 2.6 million visitor nights in the region.

Domestic Tourism Surge

Domestic tourism has been a key factor in the Whitsundays’ success, with 742,000 domestic visitors contributing a total of $1.4 billion in expenditure. This marks a 12% year-on-year increase, reflecting the region’s continued appeal as a domestic getaway.

• Domestic Visitation: 742,000 visitors (up 2% year-on-year)
• Visitor Expenditure: $1.4 billion (up 12% year-on-year)
• Overnight Stays: 3.3 million nights (up 6% year-on-year)
• Intrastate vs Interstate Trends: Intrastate visitation has surged by 10%, while interstate visitation saw a slight decrease of 9% over the same period.

While intrastate travel continues to lead, the Whitsundays is keen to attract more interstate travellers, showcasing its unmatched beauty and diverse activities to Australians from across the country.

International Tourism Recovery

The international market is also experiencing a strong recovery, with 188,000 international visitors, which represents 85% of pre-pandemic levels. Expenditure from international visitors has surpassed expectations, reaching $196.7 million—a 129% recovery rate compared to pre-pandemic levels. This demonstrates the increasing desire for international travellers to experience the Whitsundays’ unique offerings, from the Great Barrier Reef to Whitehaven Beach and beyond.

• International Visitation: 188,000 visitors (85% recovery to pre-pandemic levels)
• Visitor Expenditure: $196.7 million (129% recovery rate)
• Average Length of Stay: 6.4 nights
• Key International Markets:
  • The United Kingdom: 56,000 visitors (130% recovery rate)
  • North America: 35,000 visitors (112% recovery rate)
  • European Markets: France (117% recovery), Germany (70% recovery)
  • Asia Market: Still lagging behind at 33% of 2019 levels

The United Kingdom remains the largest international market for the Whitsundays, with 56,000 visitors arriving—surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 30%. Similarly, North American visitors, particularly from the United States, have contributed to the region’s recovery, with 35,000 visitors representing a 112% recovery.

However, the Asia market continues to face challenges, with visitation still recovering at just 33% of 2019 levels.

The Whitsundays’ Continued Growth and Resilience

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Tim Booth, expressed his enthusiasm over the results, highlighting the increased visitor spending and longer stays as key indicators of the region’s value for travellers. "We are thrilled to see an increase in visitor spending and longer stays, reflecting the value our region offers to travellers," Booth said. He also noted the ongoing efforts to attract interstate visitors and further bolster the international recovery, particularly from the UK and North America.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor, Ry Collins, added that the region’s strong performance "reinforces our reputation as one of Australia’s premier travel destinations" and is a significant boost to local businesses, communities, and jobs. “This level of visitation is a testament to the resilience of our tourism industry and the ongoing appeal of the Whitsundays on the world stage.”

Looking Ahead

The Whitsundays’ tourism industry remains poised for continued success as it sustains momentum across both domestic and international markets. The region’s diverse natural wonders, from the coral reefs to the tranquil islands, combined with world-class hospitality and experiences, will ensure its place as a leading global destination.

The Whitsundays continues to offer a variety of experiences for visitors, including cruising, island hopping, scuba diving, and exploring pristine beaches. With the region's tourism growth showing no signs of slowing, the future of the Whitsundays looks incredibly bright.

Website: https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/

Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays will host a special ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony on Fri 16 June

Each year between June and October, thousands of whales – especially Humpbacks – migrate north from the cold waters of Antarctica to breed and give birth within the warm and calm tropical waters of The Whitsundays, situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

To mark the official start of the 2023 whale season, Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays will host a special ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony from 5pm on Friday 16 June.

The sacred Indigenous event at Airlie Beach Foreshore will be held in partnership with local organisations including Tourism Whitsundays and Master Reef Guides of the region, and will be followed by a movie night presented by Whitsundays Reef Guardian Council.

Archaeological research suggests that Aboriginal people have inhabited The Whitsundays for at least the past 9000 years, and they hold a deep cultural connection to the whales. Master Reef Guides – who are champions of the Great Barrier Reef and work closely with high-standard tourism businesses and bodies that operate throughout the World Heritage-listed wonder – regularly consult with First Nations peoples to learn from their teachings regarding whales in The Whitsundays.

“There’s no doubting our First Nations peoples’ profound understanding of the habits of whales within the area. By working with the Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays, we’ve gained very valuable insights to ensure we’re adequately respecting and protecting marine life in the region, especially this time of year,” says Crystal Lacey, Director of Little Fish Tourism and member of the Master Reef Guides programme – an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Tourism and Events Queensland.

“We’re truly grateful to the Traditional Owners for allowing The Whitsundays community to participate in formally welcoming the whales this year, as well as the many other cetaceans – that is, dolphins and porpoises – which also live and visit the area,” adds Ms Lacey.

The event will see Traditional Owners in full traditional dress lead the ‘welcome to the whales’ ceremony. Open to locals and tourists, children are encouraged to wear blue to the ceremony. The Traditional Owners will invite children to be painted in traditional markings. As per Indigenous custom, boys will be marked by male Traditional Owners and girls will be marked by female Traditional Owners.

Children will then be guided to put their hand-prints on a traditional painting of a mother and calf Humpback to signify the community’s bond and connection with the whales. In keeping with long-established First Nations ritual, a smoking ceremony will then take place, before an ancient whale chant sung by the Traditional Owners.

Following the ceremonial proceedings, representatives of the Ngaro people will speak about their cultural connection with the whales, what the start of the whale season means to the Traditional Owners of the region, and the deep-seated cultural significance of the season’s first arrival of whales to The Whitsundays.

A film by Master Reef Guides about The Whitsundays and the cetaceans that live and visit the area will follow the ceremony, before the commencement of Whitsundays Reef Guardian Council’s alfresco screening of The Snail and the Whale movie at 6pm.

The Whitsundays is on track to become the world’s first Whale Heritage Area within a World Heritage-listed site. Currently, Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is the sole Whale Heritage Area within Australia.

Those lucky enough to capture imagery of whales within The Whitsundays are encouraged to upload their imagery to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef app to assist with tracking and long-term monitoring of marine wildlife.

For more information about The Whitsundays, visit tourismwhitsundays.com.au

WELCOME TO THE WALES CEREMONY BY TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THE WHITSUNDAYS
WHEN: Friday 16 June 2023, from 5pm-6pm AEST
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore, The Whitsundays
WHY: Marking the official start of The Whitsundays’ 2023 whale season (June – October)

*Source:Susan Darwiche, Senior Publicist, susand@vervepr.com.au  vervepr.com.au

FACTS ABOUT WHALES AND TIPS FOR SPOTTING WHALES IN THE WHITSUNDAYS, by Master Reef Guide, Crystal Lacey – aka ‘Little Fish’

There are two types of whales and the main difference between them is the way they feed and inside their mouths: 

1) Baleen whales, such as Humpbacks, have 270-400 whalebone plates which look like combs, hang down from the upper jaw, and are used to sieve krill and plankton from seawater. 

2) Toothed whales, such as Orcas, actively hunt prey such as fish, squid, seals and sea birds using their teeth.

• In total, more than 92 species of whales and dolphins are found in our world’s oceans.
• Humpback whales appear in all the world’s oceans and those found within The Whitsundays migrate at a cruising speed of approximately eight kilometres per hour, reaching 32 kilometers per hour in short bursts.
• Like fingerprints, the Humpback whale can be individually identified by the unique black and white markings on the underside of the tail flukes, along with unique bumps on the edges of the tail.
• Humpbacks can dive up to 200 metres and be underwater for 45 minutes. When travelling however, Humpbacks will conduct shallow dives and be underwater for 10-15 minutes between breaths.
• With a gestational period of 11-12 months, Humpbacks give birth to one calf every two to three years, tail-first.
• The Humpback mother’s milk is the consistency of toothpaste, and milk production can be up to 600 litres daily!
• In the warm tropical waters of The Whitsundays, Humpback calves develop a protective blubber layer, increasing their weight five to eight times their birth weight, allowing them to keep warm when they return to the cold waters.
• Only discovered in the mid-1980s, the elusive female Dwarf Minke whale also passes through the protected waters of The Whitsundays during the June – October whale season.
• Spending most of their adult lives pregnant, female Dwarf Minke whales give birth to a single calf each year. With a gestational period of 10 months, the young are born the size of a baby giraffe.
• The largest animal to have ever lived on earth is the Blue Whale. Weighing 190,000 kilograms and growing up to 33 metres in length (the equivalent of three school buses) the heart of a Blue Whale is the size of a small car and its babies are born seven metres long and each weighs the same as an elephant.
• Although the world’s largest animal, Blue Whales prey on some of the smallest – eating up to 40 million krill daily.
• To breathe when sleeping, whales and dolphins microsleep; this means half of their brain is active and the other half resting to ensure they’re alert enough to breathe and detect potential danger.

LITTLE FISH’S TOP TIPS FOR SPOTTING WHALES IN THE WHITSUNDAYS:

• Boat is the best means of getting an up-close look at whales in The Whitsundays from June – October. Overnight sailing, bareboating and many other tours depart daily from Airlie Beach and the surrounding islands.
• While snorkelling or diving during whale season, keep an ear open. Male Humpbacks are famous for their songs which can be heard up to 30 kilometres away. These complex collaborations of moans, howls and cries can last for hours and each year, a new verse is added to the song. The song is the same for the entire group however, different populations have different songs which helps to identify different whale populations globally.
• Humpbacks are famous for their entertaining acrobatic displays. As elusive as these ocean giants can be underwater, the easiest way to spot a Humpback is when they launch their entire bodies out of the water, called breaching. 

There are many surface behaviours of the Humpback whale, and each has a specific meaning:

• Full Body Breach: Mothers will teach their young how to launch their bodies out of the water either just for fun or to help relieve themselves of nasty parasites.
• Blow: When Humpbacks voluntarily breathe, the force of the air coming out of their blowholes can be seen for miles as a cloud of mist above the surface.
• Tail Slap: Positioning themselves vertically in the water and slapping their tails on the surface, Humpbacks will perform this repeatedly mainly as a defensive action against predators.
• Spy Hop: Bringing their heads virtually out of the water and slowly moving their heads around, this is a way for the whales to ‘spy’ on what’s happening above the surface – inquisitive behaviour.
• Head Slap or Lunge: This act is for play, communication, or dislodging parasites, shown as the whale lunges its head out of the water and forwards.
• Peduncle Throw: When a Humpback throws the bottom half of its body upwards and sideways, out of the water and slapping down onto the surface using its tail muscle – a powerful and aggressive or defensive behaviour backed with lots of force. Between mothers and calves, peduncle throws are thought to be an act of discipline or warding-off a calf’s potential predator.
• Pectoral Slap: Thought to predominantly be a flirting behaviour, this is when Humpbacks lay on their side or back and use their pectoral fins to slap the surface of the water.
• Fluke Down (shallow) compared to a peduncle arch (deep): Both actions indicate a dive, however, one being a shallow dive and the other a deep dive, which when whale watching is important to note as this will indicate whether you will spot the whale again in a few minutes or possibly 45 minutes later.

*Source: Susan Darwiche, Senior Publicist susand@vervepr.com.au

THE WHITSUNDAYS: A CANDIDATE WHALE HERITAGE SITE

The Whitsundays has achieved Candidate Whale Heritage Site status from the World Cetacean Alliance, putting it on track to be the world’s first Whale Heritage Area within a World Heritage-listed site: the Great Barrier Reef.

Encompassing 74 islands situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, The Whitsundays is renowned for its significant population of whales; especially from June – October when thousands of whales migrate north each year from the cold waters of Antarctica to breed and give birth within The Whitsundays’ warm and calm tropical waters.

Commonly known as ‘Humpback Highway’, the waters of The Whitsundays are already highly-protected, with rules in place to ensure that whales (especially Humpbacks, the most common species found in The Whitsundays) are not stressed by boats, aircraft or other tourism-related operations.

Certification as a Whale Heritage Site however, will see The Whitsundays implement further protective programmes in respect of Cetaceans in The Whitsundays, which include whales and dolphins.

Whitsunday Environmental, together with Little Fish Tourism Development Consulting – the groups leading the application for Whale Heritage Site Accreditation – are working to actively engage the local community and tourists of The Whitsundays to satisfy the criteria for accreditation and to better understand the marine life that live and periodically visit the region.

“We’re currently working in close consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and other organisations including Tourism Whitsundays to enhance our knowledge of dolphins and whales through improved citizen science – that is, research conducted with public participation,” says Olivia Brodhurst, Director of Whitsunday Environmental and a qualified Marine Biologist.

“We’re encouraging public use of GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef app, which is designed for the public to assist with tracking and long-term monitoring of marine wildlife. We also have a number of whale-centric events and activities in the works to really engage those who visit and live in The Whitsundays.

“Another exciting element is the incredible underwater hydrophone technology we’re working to bring to The Whitsundays to further engage tourism operators and their guests. The hydrophones will allow people to hear whale song in real-time and moreover, the technology will help to increase our data regarding the number and species of whales in the area.

“It’s all about trying to increase people’s awareness and love for Cetaceans, so they will be more likely to take other actions that will reduce human impact on our marine wildlife,” adds Ms Brodhurst.

Whitsundays-based Master Reef Guide, Crystal Lacey and Director of Little Fish Tourism Development Consulting, who works in close consultation with Tourism Whitsundays and tourism operators in the region – says that excitement is growing for the future of The Whitsundays as a Whale Heritage Site.

“It’s more than just a title. This is a World First, within a World Heritage Area. It’s proudly setting a gold standard for how sustainable practises and marine conservation can combine to support tourism-based economic development.

“It’s really exciting for us all in The Whitsundays and we want as many people as possible to join us in putting The Whitsundays on the map as the go to destination to see and hear these majestic giants of our oceans, without disturbing their natural processes and habitat,” says Ms Lacey.

The collaborating businesses anticipate full accreditation of The Whitsundays as a Whale Heritage Site by the end of this year. Currently, Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is the sole Whale Heritage Area within Australia.

For more information about The Whitsundays, visit tourismwhitsundays.com.au.

*Source: Susan Darwiche, Senior Publicist susand@vervepr.com.au

National Visitor Survey Latest Data Confirms The Whitsundays is The Place to Stay

Airlie Beach Lagoon

The Whitsundays has delivered more records in the latest release of National Visitor Survey (NVS) data reporting on the year to December 2022. In the first NVS report without any pandemic restrictions, the records were achieved in the interstate visitors and the number of nights stayed categories.

Visitors from New South Wales (NSW) were the highest number of interstate travellers, making up a record 176,000 of the record 341,000 travellers. The interstate market also clocked up a record 2,398,000 nights, an increase of 108% on 2022 data.

Commenting on the survey, Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Rick Hamilton said these results continue to prove what everyone in The Whitsundays already knows: The Whitsundays is the best place to holiday.

“Queenslanders discovered The Whitsundays during the pandemic, and it is encouraging to see that the message is reaching the NSW market. With Bonza launching a new direct flight from Newcastle to The Whitsundays, NSW visitation is only set to grow further.

“These results once again underline the significant contribution tourism makes here. As a region, we rely on tourism for one in three jobs. We have world-class tour operators, accommodation options and businesses all working to deliver an outstanding holiday experience to vacationers in The Whitsundays, whatever their budget,” Mr Hamilton said.

While visitation from interstate reached record highs, the previous record of $1.5 billion in visitor expenditure was maintained for another quarter.

Tourism Whitsundays Chair Julie Telford is thrilled to see record visitation from interstate markets to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, The Whitsundays.

“It’s fantastic to see more interstate travellers discover what a diverse holiday offering The Whitsundays and Queensland have. Queensland is such a diverse State, and travelling within its border can take you through the rainforest, outback, surf beaches and the wonderful Whitsundays by car, bus, train, plane and boat.

“The maintained visitor expenditure of $1.5 billion shows that visitors are still coming to experience the many activities and attractions available in The Whitsundays. From world-famous Whitehaven Beach to the Great Barrier Reef and the pristine National Parks, there is so much to experience here,” said Ms Telford.

The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant area in Queensland with one in three jobs directly related to tourism, and 40 per cent of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

For more information on National Visitation Survey data, please click here.

The Heart of Events Beats Strong - The Whitsundays 2023 Events Calendar Released

The Whitsundays Events Calendar for 2023 has been launched, and the Heart of Events has a strong pulse this year. From 30 April to 26 November, various events will take centre stage in locations across The Whitsundays.

Featured on sensational island locations are the Hamilton Island Endurance Series – held over multiple dates, White on Whitehaven Long Lunch by Fish D’vine – the event for those who prefer to sip champagne and eat oysters, and the world-renowned Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach Race Weeks – held in August, the waters are filled with colourful sails for two weeks.

Not to miss out on the glory, mainland locations will host a variety of events including the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival – featuring one of the most scenic certified marathons, Great Barrier Reef Festival – for a fully immersive celebration of the reef and all its inhabitants, Don River Dash – for an adrenalin spiking race through the dry Don River bed, and the music festival with the best views, Airlie Beach Festival of Music.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton believes the events held in The Whitsundays are a significant drawcard to the region.

“Events can be the first impression some visitors have of The Whitsundays whether it’s through one of the many sporting events ranging in age from kids to adults or an event with fun for all the family such as the Great Barrier Reef Festival; The Whitsundays has something for everyone in events and holidays.

“In a region that relies on tourism for 1 in 3 jobs, it’s beneficial to the region to have these events drawing in thousands of visitors each year,” said Mr Hamilton.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said it was exciting that The Whitsundays was now being recognised nationally as the Heart of Events.

“The national and international exposure for our region from hallmark events like the White on Whitehaven Long Lunch, Don River Dash and Airlie Beach Festival of Music has lifted the profile of The Whitsundays as a must visit tourist destination.

“The wide variety of events across the year complement the incredible natural beauty, tropical islands and Great Barrier Reef experiences that the amazing Whitsundays offers.”

The Heart of Events Event Calendar is available to view here.

*Source: Susan Darwiche, Verve PR.  Ph: +61 414 706 704 

Email: susand@vervepr.com.au

Don River Dash - bikes, buggies and trophy trucks action-packed event: 8-10 September 2023

Motorcycling and off-road vehicle enthusiasts will converge at Bowen at the tip of The Whitsundays from 8-10 September 2023, for the fifth-annual Don River Dash festival race event.

Inspired by the best courses in the world, the Don River Dash is the only two-day off-road race that sees bikes, buggies and trophy trucks race a reverse grid format through a multi-terrain natural course.

Open to professionals and hobby-riders, the Don River Dash is a family-friendly event and entry will be FREE for spectators.

From live music, roving entertainers, on-site competitions and food stalls, to the opportunity to get up-close to special vehicles and meet-and-greets with top riders and drivers in their class, the 2023 Don River Dash will include dedicated spectator points (on Telegraph Road and Gladstone Park Road) along the special course.

Crowds of more than 5000 are expected this year for what is now renowned as the pinnacle off-road racing event of The Whitsundays, with growing national and international interest.

The Don River Dash is the brainchild of motorsport royalty Talbot Cox and Michael Marson. It attracts some of the biggest off-road racing names and is especially unique because professionals and hobby-riders race alongside each other.

Competitors will travel 25 kilometres upstream along the southern bed of Bowen’s Don River. Navigating their way through a mixture of sand, rocks and jumps, competitors will then return along the northern side of the river bed to complete the 50-kilometre loop. In total, competitors test their skills over two days and across 300 kilometres to answer the ultimate question: Who will be the 2023 King or Queen of the River?

Bowen is easily accessible via the Whitsunday Coast Airport with daily flights from capital cities.

For more information about the 2023 Don River Dash, visit: donriverdash.com.au.

For more information about accommodation and experiences at Bowen, visit: tourismwhitsundays.com.au.

DON RIVER DASH 2023
OFF-ROAD RACE EVENT FEATURING BIKES, BUGGIES AND TROPHY TRUCKS

WHERE: Bowen Showgrounds, 25 Mt Nutt Road, Bowen, The Whitsundays
WHEN: 8-10 September 2023
WHO: Hobby and professional racers, off-road motoring enthusiasts and action-loving families
INFO: donriverdash.com.au or tourismwhitsundays.com.au

New Whitsundays Campaign Reveals The Action-Packed Wonders of The Whitsundays

While many people know that The Whitsundays provides the perfect flop and drop holiday, a new campaign launched last week, throws down the challenge to the holidaymaker who wants action and adventure, and other moments of wonder as part of their bucket-list Whitsundays experience.

Sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, diving and skydiving, The Whitsundays provides a holiday for everyone and this is the theme of the new iteration of the Wonders of The Whitsundays campaign, which was created by Wavemaker five years ago.

The Whitsundays has experienced record levels of visitation and spend this year and the new Wonders campaign is expected to drive further visitation and spend as the region aims for another record year.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said the campaign has evolved, incorporating an always-on approach to better work-in with operators. This will be crucial to the success of the campaign this year.

“The previous Wonders campaign wrapped up in late March 2022 and delivered over $4.8m in sales to operators – an amazing result considering occupancy in the region has been 70 per cent on average for the year. This campaign will focus on driving sales to the operators directly on our website with the best deals available in the periods when operators see a softening of bookings.

“Focusing on our tried-and-true markets of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland allows us to continue building awareness of The Whitsundays and the ease of accessibility by road, rail and air from these states,” Mr Hamilton said.

Wonders of The Whitsundays activity will roll out across out-of-home, content partnerships and social, display banners and search to maximise the reach of the campaign to audiences across Australia. The campaign will again use the voice of Siri, Karen Jacobson, to voice radio and Spotify ads about experiences available in The Whitsundays.

The Wonders of The Whitsundays campaign will run from today (25 January 2023) until March 2023 to fill potential need periods for operators.

With great offers available across island stays, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, soaking up the sunshine on Whitehaven Beach, sailing through 74 island wonders, or experiencing the vibrant coastal towns of Airlie Beach and Bowen, there is an option for everyone wanting to do The Whitsundays.

Explore the Wonders of The Whitsundays and more via thewhitsundays.com.au.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government under the Recovery for Regional Tourism program, an initiative of the $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, as well as funding from the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

About Tourism Whitsundays: Tourism Whitsundays (TW) is the organisation responsible for destination marketing and visitor attraction for the Whitsunday region. It is the lead agency recognised by Tourism and Events Queensland and the Whitsunday Regional Council to lead the promotion of the region as a tourism destination. Tourism Whitsundays markets all aspects of the region including the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and Coast, accommodation, boating and sailing, fishing, touring, recreational activities, adventure, dining, shopping, weddings and honeymoons, conferencing and business events.

*Source: Susan Darwichem, Verve PR, Ph: +61 414 706 704 Email: susand@vervepr.com.au

Cruise Whitsundays Featured in Zac Efron's Emmy Winning Series Down to Earth

Cruise Whitsundays

Journey Beyond’s Cruise Whitsundays is excited to announce their participation in the newly released season of Down to Earth with Zac Efron available now on Netflix. This incredible showcase comes hot on the heels of Cruise Whitsundays double Gold win at the recent Whitsundays Tourism Awards.
In its second season, Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under follows Zac Efron, and wellness expert Darin Olien as they travel Australia and learn about sustainable living practices.

Unsurprisingly Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld can be found in the Great Barrier Reef episode of Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under, the episode focuses on the environmental factors facing coral reefs within the Great Barrier Reef and the restoration techniques being used to try and restore and sustain this natural wonder.

Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton-Brown believes the Great Barrier Reef episode gives the perfect balance of reporting tough environmental facts, while also providing great insight as to what is being done to mitigate those challenges and gives hope for future generations.

“Cruise Whitsundays is incredibly proud to be involved with this production. This episode highlights how lucky we are to live and work on the Great Barrier Reef, and why it’s so important we do what we can to protect it.

“Cruise Whitsundays takes its role as reef custodians very seriously; it was great to have our incredible product and extremely knowledgeable team featured on a series like this.

“Zac, who has been diving globally for over 15 years, was in awe of our beautiful patch at Hardy Reef, listening to the genuine excitement and enthusiasm he and Darin had after their dive was inspiring.

Reefworld really is on a roll at the moment, firstly we celebrated the Whitsundays Tourism Award wins a couple of weeks ago, and now Reefworld is being showcased on a hit global series with a bona fide Hollywood star” Ms Branton-Brown said.

Award-winning Reefworld is Cruise Whitsundays permanently moored pontoon found 39 nautical miles from the coast of Airlie Beach at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Reefworld offers exceptional experiences through the Great Barrier Reef Adventure for day guests and Reefsuites and Reefsleep for overnight guests. Reefworld recently received glory taking Gold for Major Tour Attraction and Gold for Unique Accommodation at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton thinks this is a fantastic coupe for the region at such an important time for international markets.

“What an incredible opportunity for Cruise Whitsundays to be featured on a global platform like this. Now more than ever it’s crucial for The Whitsundays to be front of mind for international holiday makers.

“Over the last year, The Whitsundays has been enjoying the success of solid domestic visitation, as we move towards 2023, we are hoping to see a strong return in international visitors. Being featured on shows like this certainly helps to build awareness for The Whitsundays.” Mr Hamilton said.

Cruise Whitsundays

And if these accolades are not enough to convince travellers to book in their experience at Reefworld in the Whitsundays, take it from Zac Efron “I will relive this moment in my head forever and ever. It’s truly one of the coolest experiences of my life.”

“I’ve never seen coral that alive and thriving and so many different colours.”

This release is in partnership with Cruise Whitsundays

*Source: Cait Fleming, Publicity and Communications Executive, Tourism Whitsundays
Ph: +61 417 765 736, Email: pr@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Red Cat Adventures buys Whitsunday Jetski Tours

Thundercat Day Tour

Two of Australia’s top marine tourism companies are about to become one, with Red Cat Adventures acquiring Whitsunday Jetski Tours.

At each of these Whitsunday businesses, locally owned and operated by Asher and Julie Telford and Steve and Toni Ward respectively, it will be ‘business as usual’ for consumers and staff, with both brands continuing to offer their much-loved award-winning tours.

For the Wards, this was an important factor in handing over their baby of 12 years.

“Whitsunday Jetski Tours has been a part of our family and the Whitsunday community for over a decade, so we knew that when the time came to let it go, it would need to be taken on by people we could trust to maintain the team spirit, ethos and high service levels we’ve worked so hard to achieve,” Toni Ward said.

“The fact that they’re both iconic, nationally acclaimed Whitsunday businesses is also significant,” Steve Ward added.
“Over the course of our tenure, Whitsunday Jetski Tours has had the honour of being named Trip Advisor’s number one rated experience in Australia and a 2022 Traveller’s Choice award winner – and here we are handing over to Australia’s top adventure tourism operator, also twice inducted into Queensland Tourism’s Hall of Fame.”

For Asher Telford the opportunity to take on another unique, securely established, premium tourism product was too good to overlook.

“For a long time now, we have felt that the offering provided by Whitsunday Jetski Tours would complement our existing experiences perfectly,” he said.

“Both brands are bold, resilient, and renowned for their integrity, so it is an honour to be adding Whitsunday Jetski Tours to our Red Cat Adventures suite.”

Julie Telford said the future for both brands and the Whitsunday tourism scene was bright.

“Now we can be a one-stop adventure shop, offering visitors to the Whitsundays a week-long itinerary if they so choose,” she said.

“With Red Cat Adventures, you can now ride a fast boat to the Whitsundays’ most iconic spots, or slow down and sail the 74-island paradise.

“You can snorkel, bush-walk, take banana boat rides, go on waterfall and sunset tours, embark on adrenalin-filled jetski tours, paddle board, kayak and camp at Lake Proserpine, or even extend your trip with our Wild Cat tours from Mackay.”

Red Cat Adventures operates the purpose-built vessel ‘Thundercat’ and sailing vessel Tongarra, as well as running mainland ‘Falls to Paradise’ combined waterfall and resort tours, and ‘Wild Cat’ tours to Great Barrier Reef islands off Mackay.

The company also runs school-based Coxswain’s courses and a variety of Eco and Edu-tourism-tailored tours, including the curriculum-based ‘Immersive Learning Project’, designed to foster ‘travel for good’ and broaden stewardship of the Great Barrier Reef.

With the tag-line “your ride, your adventure”, Whitsunday Jetski Tours offers the daily 1.5-hour Airlie Adventure Tour, two-hour Two Island Safari and four-hour Ultimate Trek, visiting Long Island’s Palm Bay.

WJT - Two Island Safari

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton, said being able to access all these experiences through one operator would be an incredible bonus for visitors to the Whitsundays and an asset to the region.

“Asher and Julie’s confidence in the Whitsunday tourism market is inspiring and a sign of the region’s meteoric rise from the depths of the pandemic to the thriving environment we find ourselves in now,” he said.

“This announcement means there’s now an even better way to adventure with Australia’s best.”

For more information about Red Cat Adventures and Whitsunday Jetski Tours products visit www.redcatadventures.com.au and www.jetskitour.com.au.

*Source: Cait Fleming, Publicity & Communications Executive, Tourism Whitsundays
Ph: +61 417 765 736, Email: pr@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Record Numbers Delivering for The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays

Tourism in The Whitsundays has broken all records this year, with National Visitor Survey (NVS) data released today revealing a record 923,000 domestic visitors, who spent $1.5billion dollars in The Whitsundays, an increase of 179% on 2019 data.

Testament to the wide variety of experiences available and unique location, visitors to The Whitsundays stayed a total of 4.9 million nights in the year to 30 September 2022, an increase of 73% based on 2019 figures.

Commenting on the survey, Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said these results just cement what everyone in The Whitsundays already knows, The Whitsundays is the best place to holiday.

“Select domestic markets have always known about the attraction of The Whitsundays, but the growth we are seeing in domestic visitation shows that more of Australia is now familiar and confident about this unique holiday experience.

“These results once again underline the significant contribution tourism makes here. As a region we rely on tourism for 1 in 3 jobs. We have world-class operators, accommodation options and businesses all working to deliver outstanding holidays to vacationers in The Whitsundays, whatever their budget,” Mr Hamilton said.

While there has been a record increase in interstate travellers, 274,000 up 18.9% on 2019, it is Queenslanders who are making up 69% of visitors.

“It is encouraging to see more of Australia discovering and experiencing The Whitsundays because we can compete with anywhere in the world for the range of experiences, unique attractions and location,” Mr Hamilton said. “However, Queenslanders are taking advantage of The Whitsundays, which is right on their doorstep.

Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford understands why The Whitsundays is getting record visitation from inter and intra state travellers.

“Queensland is such a diverse State and travelling within its border can take you through the rainforest, outback, surf beaches and the wonderful Whitsundays by car, bus, train, plane and boat. It’s no wonder we’ve seen so many Queenslanders rediscover their love of The Whitsundays.

“Visitors are staying an average of 5.2 nights this year, increasing almost a day compared to results from March 2022 because there’s so much to do and enjoy in The Whitsundays that every minute of that time can be booked onto a different experience,” said Ms Telford.

The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant area in Queensland with 1 in 3 jobs directly related to tourism, and 40 per cent of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

For more information on National Visitation Survey data, please click here.

*Source: Tourism Whitsundays, Cait Fleming, Publicity & Communications Executive
Ph: +61 417 765 736  Email: pr@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Record Visitation to The Whitsundays

It seems Aussies are less excited about overseas travel and have chosen The Whitsundays as their favourite Queensland destination, with the latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) revealing a record 811,000 domestic visitors, who spent a collective $1.3 billion in the year to June 2022, an increase of 31.2%.

 
Commenting on the survey findings, Tourism Whitsunday’s Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said the broad appeal of The Whitsundays helped it outshine other destinations domestically and overseas, with the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef once again delivering record numbers of visitors and spend.

“We are clearly the stand-out region in Queensland, with the highest percentage increase of overnight visitor expenditure, along with record increases in domestic holiday visitors.

“Domestic visitors enjoyed 3.7 million nights in our world-class destination with an average spend per visitor of $1,613. This underlines the significant contribution that tourism makes here, as we are a region that relies on tourism for 1 in 3 jobs. These results are excellent validation of our unparalleled product offering and the investment our operators have been making in new experiences for all visitor demographics, after what has been a difficult 2 ½ years,” Mr Hamilton said.

Mr Hamilton said that intrastate visitors are still the largest demographic of visitor but it’s encouraging to see the strong increase in interstate visitors, with Whitsunday Coast Airport continuing to deliver record growth mainly from Melbourne and Sydney domestic markets.

“The results released yesterday show that The Whitsundays is one of the most desirable destinations in Australia and we’re looking forward to continued growth in the interstate and international markets.

“We have had a year of record visitation and the forward projections we’re looking at suggest this trend will continue through until late January 2023.”

The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant area in Queensland with 1 in 3 jobs directly related to tourism, and 40 per cent of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

For more information on National Visitation Survey data, please click here.

Tourism Whitsundays Continues To Deliver For The Queensland Economy

Hero Aerial Hill Inlet

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton has welcomed the announcement that The Whitsundays has again dominated this year’s top 50 experiences across Queensland in the Best of Queensland Experiences, together with Tropical North Queensland.

Announced last night by Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe, The Best of Queensland Experiences is an initiative of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ). Its aim is to demonstrate the commitment of Queensland tourism operators to excellence and world-class holiday experiences.

Mr Hamilton congratulated all the operators in The Whitsundays who have consistently delivered unparalleled experiences for tourists to establish the destination as a domestic and global beacon for holidaymakers.

“This accolade highlights the efforts of all the exceptional and dedicated tourism operators in our region and the essential contribution they continue to make to the Queensland economy.” Mr Hamilton said.

It was also announced by the Minister at The Estimates Hearings last night that there is currently a review of the Tourism Network Funding Model to reflect the changes that have happened in tourism since the last change in funding in 2018. Tourism Whitsundays is encouraged by this and believes that with increased funding it is in a strong position to continue to deliver for our industry.

The latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) highlighted that The Whitsundays delivered a record $1.1B in visitor expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2022 to the Queensland economy, and a record 581,000 holiday visitors from intrastate and southern states, which is outstanding considering we have come through the very toughest of times. The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant region in Queensland with one in three jobs directly related to tourism, and 40 per cent of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

“With the return of cruise ships and backpackers coming into the region, we will continue facing challenges to remain globally competitive to rebuild inbound tourism and compete against other domestic and international markets, but we know that The Whitsundays can continue to play a vital role in boosting the State’s economy, with enough funding support,” Mr Hamilton said.