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

5 Ways to spoil mum while you're on a bareboat charter

Mother's Day is just around the corner. For those who don't know, like the husband of the person writing this article, it's Sunday the 8th of May!

But who needs a day when every holiday, especially something as unique as a bareboat holiday, is an opportunity to spoil Mum.

Add some special touches to your bareboat charter with these simple ideas:

1 - Order a welcome seafood platter and bubbles through a local provisioning company
2 - Find a secluded beach, pack a book and picnic, taking it ashore where mum can have some "me time" in paradise
3 - Treat mum to a day spa at Hamilton Island. (you will need to book the spa ahead, due to Covid, places are limited)
4 - Instead of serving breakfast in bed, why not have breakfast on deck?!
5 - Mum's love photos. Make a photo book of your bareboat holiday and gift it to her after the trip.

Please note that extra services will need to be booked directly with the suppliers.

The Ultimate Guide to Bareboating
Bareboating can be an unusual concept for those who haven't done it before, and it can be a little overwhelming.

To make researching and planning simple, we've created the Ultimate Guide to Bareboating, bringing everything you need to know & loads of useful content into one place.

Get the Ultimate Guide to Bareboating

Introducing Sisu
Introducing the newest Leopard 40 to join our fleet, Sisu.

Sisu has two bathrooms and four cabins; the forward cabins have fore-peak bunks perfect for the kids - she can sleep 8 - 10.

Sisu has a fair amount of availability in 2022, which wont last long due to the demands we're seeing for catamarans.

Sisu

24th May - 7th June
3rd - 21s July
30th July - 31st August
20th October - 1st December
10th December onwards

Book Sisu

Find availability & rates through our website's booking system or give us a call to book your bareboating adventure.
1800 075 000

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht
Phone: +61 (7) 4946 9232
6 Bay Terrace, Shute Harbour Q 4802
PO Box 357 Airlie Beach Q 4802
https://www.rentayacht.com.au/

Luxurious Hayman Island Resort Reopens

The newly refurbished and transformed 

Hayman Island by InterContinental

2019’s biggest moment in tourism has arrived with the opening of Hayman Island by InterContinental, on July 1, marking a golden era in immersive luxury.

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the resort has officially unveiled its stunning transformation, built on the foundation of connection, transformation and immersion.

Located on a pristine 400-hectare private island, the resort features 166 rooms, suites and villas across three distinct wings. Completing the immersive on-island experience is five world-class restaurants and bars, a brand-new luxury spa with 11 treatment rooms, all-new resort boutique, on-island chapel, Planet Trekkers kids club, indoor and outdoor event spaces for up to 320 guests, fitness and wellness centre and an endless array of tours and experiences.

Australia’s most iconic private island resort is managed by one of the world’s leading hotel companies, InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG), and has undergone a $135 million refurbishment, ensuring the highest standards of luxury and service delivered to guests visiting one of the world’s most desirable destinations.

Joining over 200 InterContinental hotels and resorts worldwide, the celebrated resort is the first of four InterContinental Resorts to open in 2019 and will be followed by ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and InterContinental Phuket Resort.

Leanne Harwood, Managing Director, Australasia and Japan, IHG® said: “We are tremendously proud to welcome our first guests to Hayman Island. InterContinental has been a pioneer in luxury travel for over 70 years and Hayman Island has become pivotal in our expansion plans for Australasia as we continue to open and operate in the most highly sought-after destinations in the world.”

Greg Shaw, CEO, Mulpha Australia Limited, added: “Hayman Island is an iconic Australian resort destination in the heart of the world famous Great Barrier Reef. The resort has created a new benchmark for the Australian market upon opening and our investment of $135 million to reposition and relaunch Hayman will create a new standard for luxury resort travel in the region.”

*Post by: Deborah Friend in Whitsunday Islands, Hayman Island#InterContinentallife #InterContinentalHaymanIsland #ImmerseintoHayman

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

More accolades for Abell Point Marina

Abell Point Marina took home gold not once, but twice, in the recent Marinas19 Marina of the Year Awards. 

Announced at the black-tie Gala Award Ceremony hosted at the Sea World Resort Conference Centre on the Gold Coast on Tuesday night (May 28), Abell Point Marina received a Marina of the Year award for both ‘Commercial Marina 140 berths and over’ and ‘Best Community Engagement by a Marina’.

Kate Purdie, Abell Point Marina’s General Manager, spoke of the achievements by saying, “It is an honour to be recognised by the MIA who delivered an outstanding Marinas19 conference focused on trends in the marina industry. Of particular note was a panel discussion about increasing the number of women involved in boating and the marina industry.

“I am particularly proud of the fact that Abell Point Marina is leading the way in this regard, with a majority female management team which includes women managing our finance, business development, marketing, contracts and customer relations departments.”

Marina owner, Paul Darrouzet, acknowledged the continuing dedication of the marina team and their commitment towards his vision of creating a world-class destination in the Whitsundays.

“To be continually receiving such accolades as these”, he says, “proves that our vision is coming to fruition through the hard-work of our staff”, who join him in their keenness to “promote Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays region as a must-see global destination”.

These awards come as another reason to celebrate, proving that 2019 is well on its way to being yet another momentous year for the company.

Adding to other noteworthy achievements, including Superyacht Business of the Year and Major Tourist Attraction for 2018, these Marina of the Year awards follow the recent announcement of Abell Point Marina’s acquisition of the neighbouring Coral Sea Resort.

From 1 July these two entities will merge to become the eagerly anticipated, Coral Sea Marina|Resort. The new name and brand is the next step towards continuing the creation and development of a premium mainland destination resort on the Whitsunday coast.

Developments to the marina facilities continue to progress. Recently introduced was the brand-new Spa and Business Centre located at the Ocean Club. The Garden Bar Bistro opened earlier this month and is a vibrant addition to the marina’s current food and drink scene.

The opening of The Coral Sea Gardens, a 2.5 hectare community parkland in the heart of the marina precinct, is set for later on in the year and will be a unique addition to the current marina village that can be enjoyed by all guests, visitors and locals alike.

With all of these exciting developments on the horizon, these awards come at the most pertinent time to act as a reminder for all that has been achieved so far.

Abell Point Marina continues to prove it is the ideal destination to stay, play and explore the incredible wonders of this beautiful region and the perfect base for your Whitsunday adventure.

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Revitalised Airlie Beach Foreshore Revealed

The revitalised Airlie Beach Foreshore, revealed on June 29

After months of waiting and anticipation, the revitalised Airlie Beach Foreshore was finally revealed to the community, on Saturday, June 29, with a Foreshore Fiesta!

Segway rides, Tuk Tuk tours, live music, Indigenous dancing, Zumba classes and spectacular fireworks.... the official opening of the Airlie Beach Foreshore was a massive community party attended by about 2,000 people.

The $6.3 million redevelopment includes a beach step stadium, a sound stage for events, a new tourist bus drop-off area, a refurbished amenities block, a massive 10.5m high new shaded playground, an improved market stall area with extra lighting, 57 new sealed carparks plus extensive new landscaping and seating.

Connectivity along the foreshore has been improved with a three-metre wide pedestrian path along the beach, which links the Airlie Beach Lagoon area along the foreshore to the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Visitors and locals can walk, jog or ride alongside the Coral Sea, all the way from Cannonvale Beach to Airlie Beach.

Whitsunday Regional Mayor Andrew Willcox said the Foreshore Fiesta was an ideal opportunity to showcase the newly developed area to the Whitsunday community.

"The aim of the redevelopment was to create and activate the Airlie Beach foreshore as a community hub for families and tourists," he said.

It is anticipated that the new-look foreshore will be a hotspot for tourists to the area.

*Post by: Deborah Friend in Airlie Beach Foreshore, whitsunday mainland

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Hamilton Island Endurance Series – Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim

Swim at one of Australia's most pristine and iconic beaches!

The Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim, combined with the Hamilton Island Triathlon, brings together an exciting weekend of sport. 

This event includes a 2km, 750m ‘anything goes’ and junior swim meet. Pristine white beaches. Crystal clear waters. 

A breathtaking mountainous interior. Hamilton Island is best known as a place to relax. 

But it is also the perfect place to push yourself in paradise. 

The Hamilton Island Endurance series spans four endurance events from May through to November each year, testing athletes on every level. 

Do them all or just do one. 

Race Hard. 

Recover Harder.

Nov 24, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Nov 24, 2019 05:00 PM AEST
Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim – 24 November

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Exciting ‘Fly and Raft’ product celebrates one year

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox, 

Ocean Rafting owner Jan Claxton 

and Whitsunday Airport owner Ross Armstrong.

It was a night for the Whitsunday tourism industry to come together at Whitsunday Airport as local tourism operator Ocean Rafting celebrated one year of operating their popular ‘Fly and Raft’ package. Nearly 200 invited guests, including local agents, suppliers, industry partners and Whitsunday Mayor, Andrew Willcox, joined the Ocean Rafting team on Thursday, June 20.

There was live local music, a delicious menu catered by the Hangar Bar, prizes and surprise entertainment including a Yak52 fly-by, a Soviet Air Force Training aeroplane, operated by CQ Adventure Flights.

Held at Ocean Rafting’s flight base at Whitsunday Airport/Whitsunday Aviation Village Estate (WAVE) near Shute Harbour, the airport is Australia’s premier airpark, just minutes from the heart of Airlie Beach. This is one of many reasons why Ocean Rafting’s foray into offering scenic flights in conjunction with its multi award-winning marine operations, has been such a great success.

Ocean Rafting owners, Peter and Jan Claxton, who hosted the evening along with their staff and Whitsunday Airport, are proud to offer another exciting product which offers the best views of the Whitsundays, both on and above the water.

“We have been so grateful for the support from guests, agents and our industry partners in offering these exciting new products. Collaborating with our aviation partners, in providing the most accessible flights at the closest airport to Airlie Beach, means both our Fly and Raft package and stand-alone scenic flights have proven to be the perfect extension to our existing tours. Tonight was a celebration to thank everyone for all of their continuous support for both our water and flight based operations,” said Jan.

Ocean Rafting’s Fly and Raft package showcases the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef in one day with a stunning 60 minute Whitsunday scenic flight and Ocean Rafting adventure, experiencing the Whitsundays’ ultimate destinations including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet beaches, as well as secret snorkelling locations.

Guests have a bird’s eye view of many of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, flying over Whitehaven Beach and picture postcard Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. The comfortable fixed wing aircraft offers big window viewing, pilot commentary and the best views of the Whitsundays.

Following the flight, the adventure continues with an Ocean Rafting tour offering three days in one, including an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks. The Southern Lights tour offers more beach time and the Northern Exposure tour offers more snorkelling time.

60 minute stand-alone scenic flights over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet are also available three times daily.

“With the ongoing growth of the company it was time for us to diversify the product and with the background in aviation we have from originally owning a seaplane company in South Africa to piloting seaplanes for Air Whitsunday, it feels like we have come full circle and it’s a natural progression in offering this product under the Ocean Rafting brand,” said Peter.

Now in its 22nd year of operations, Ocean Rafting has won three Australian Tourism Awards, as well as multiple Queensland and Whitsunday Tourism Awards. This week Ocean Rafting was also recognised as one of the top ten tourism experiences in Australia on TripAdvisor in the 2019 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

*Post by: Deborah Friend in rafting, scenic flights

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Airlie Beach Festival of Music

Located in the town of Airlie Beach at the heart of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, the Festival main stage is set on tropical waterfront lawns at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. 

Geared to an over 30s audience, but includes all genres so there is something to suit all ages and music tastes. 

Festival-goers can see three main concerts and over 200 musicians performing in over 15 beachside venues around this fun-filled holiday town. 

Escape for an entertaining weekend of quality live music and glorious days under the sun. 

Welcome jam session on the Thursday afternoon, followed by a full three days entertainment. Holiday makers and music lovers stroll from venue to venue checking out the artists they know and hearing a superb range of emerging acts. 

They meet and make friends with fellow music lovers and our friendly Community Ambassadors are there to answer all your questions. 

Free courtesy buses run Friday to Sunday, so those not staying in the heart of town don't have the hassle of driving or parking. 

Nov 08, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Nov 10, 2019 05:00 PM AEST

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Whitsunday Jetskii Tours are Number 1

Whitsunday Jetski Tours has been recognised as the 

number one tourism experience in Australia on TripAdvisor

In an achievement that any business would aspire to, Whitsunday adventure tourism operator, Whitsunday Jetski Tours, has been recognised as the number one tourism experience in Australia on TripAdvisor in the 2019 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards are the highest honour TripAdvisor presents based on reviews and opinions from travellers of Australia’s top bookable experiences.

In more exciting news, not only did the team achieve this accolade in winning the top spot on an Australian level, but were also announced as number five in the Top 10 Experiences in the whole of the South Pacific.

Owners Steve and Toni Ward were ecstatic to receive the news that they had just been voted the number one tourism experience in Australia.

“This came as a complete surprise but it is a testament to all of our hard work since starting the business in 2010. Even more satisfying is the fact that we don’t specifically focus on reviews or ratings. Our focus is more holistic and has always been to exceed guests’ expectations and provide exceptional service with state-of-the-art equipment in one of the most beautiful areas of the world, the Whitsundays, and this award is a consequence of that effort,” said Steve.

Steve continued, “This award is particularly special as it is from guests giving first-hand feedback of the experience they have had with us. It is that combination of two main things, the unique product that we offer and the exceptional, personalised service that our team provide from start to finish which delivers that ultimate accolade.”

Steve and Toni acknowledge that this achievement in being recognised as a truly exceptional business wouldn’t be possible if it didn’t start from the ground up.

“We have the amazing support of people who help us pull it all together to achieve this, from our guests, loyal agents, suppliers and our tourism industry partners, to the world class marina facility that we operate from. Most importantly, it is ultimately our passionate team who deliver amazing customer service over and above and an experience whereby guests leave like friends and feeling like they have had one of the best adventures of their holiday,” said Steve.

With the tag line, “Your ride, your adventure”, Toni believes that guests are searching for immersive unique experiences that offer healthy outdoor adventure activities and tours, with that combination in mind. TripAdvisor's 2019 Experiences Trends Report correlates with that, showing that preferences for outdoor activities are increasing, with global bookings in the category jumping 56% this past year.

"People want more adventure and outdoor activities and, of course, with that adventure comes the natural beauty of the Whitsundays, so we've got a good combination,” said Toni.

The Whitsundays is the only region in Australia featuring twice on the list, with Ocean Rafting also being awarded the number seven spot.

So, what are the products behind this national accolade? Locally family owned and operated, Whitsunday Jetski Tours has also won a swag of Whitsunday and Queensland Tourism Awards since commencement.

Offering exciting guided jetski tours from Airlie Beach into the beautiful world heritage Whitsunday Island Marine Park, four tours operate daily, including the Airlie Adventure, with sea turtles often encountered, the Two Island Safari, exploring the waterways of South Molle and Daydream Islands, the Jetski to Paradise, a jetski adventure visiting exclusive Paradise Cove Resort and the Ultimate Island Trek, an epic jetski journey to the island oasis of Palm Bay.

All riding apparel is included and no licence or experience is necessary, offering an adventure for everyone!

*Post by: Deborah Friend in Jetskiing, adventure activities

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend

Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend is the biggest family fishing competition in the country.

Held along Bowen's Front Beach at the Soundshell and Festival Park, the event not only offers anglers the chance to compete for a host of fantastic prizes - it provides the whole family with the opportunity to play and be entertained over an entire weekend at the Top of the Whitsundays. 

The Classic, as it is affectionately known, has become an icon in fishing, entertainment, and family fun, for it is the entire Bowen community that makes this event special, whether it is the dedicated team of volunteers who work year-round planning the event, or the national, regional and local businesses who donate the host of prizes on offer, including Senior and Junior boat packages as a lucky nomination draw.

Sep 21, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Sep 22, 2019 05:00 PM AEST

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Warm Northerlies Welcome for Airlie Beach Race Week

Airlie Beach Race Week is spectacle like no other

photo by Andrea Francolini

Whatever direction the wind is blowing on Tuesday, August 13, Northerlies will be the flavour of the month for sailors competing in Airlie Beach Race Week.

Renowned locally as one of the Whitsundays' premier venues for food, beverages, service and views, Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill is expanding on its popular events program to host the Festival of Sailing's only off-site presentation night.

Embracing the sailing fraternity and local community, the event will also incorporate the inaugural Airlie Beach Race Week 'Family Fun Day'.

Venue Manager, Brad Henstock, said this would epitomise what Northerlies and Airlie Beach Race Week stood for.

"Airlie Beach Race Week and the Whitsunday Sailing Club are such an integral part of the Whitsundays – and for us to be a part of that is what we're all about," he said.

"We're not just a business – our philosophy is that this is a community space – we welcome everyone like family, and we hope that everyone leaves with a smile on their face."

With its landscaped gardens and beachfront incorporating palm trees from the sets of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Northerlies is a fitting venue for nautical crews.

Describing it as "an island resort on the mainland", Race Week Marketing Director, Adrian Bram, said these were events guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on all attendees.

"I think everyone who comes here goes away with amazing memories and I just know that once the yachties see this place they'll agree," he said.

"For all of us on the Race Week team, this is about getting the event further out into the community, sharing the success with other venues and making it even more exciting for the entrants."

Event chairman and new Race Director, Ross Chisholm (following the resignation of Denis Thompson for medical reasons), said this was the sort of experience gifted to sailors at those events. He speaks from his wide experience as Race Director for a number of Asian regattas.

"A lot of our competitors sail the Asian circuit and know how good it can be so we're going to prove that Airlie Beach can do it just as well," he said.

Joking that hosting a Race Week event was his boss's way of keeping him at work for the week instead of on the water, Mr Henstock reiterated there would also be plenty on offer for non-sailing folk.

"We'll have games and activities for the kids and basically we'll entertain them while Mum and Dad sit down, enjoy the beach, have a few drinks and relax," he said.

"We'll have an outdoor live broadcast from Triple M starting from 10am and from there we'll slowly build up to the sailors' arrival and presentation time."

Thanks to the support of Whitsundays 2 Everywhere, nine coaches will run back-to-back, moving as many as 800 Race Week crew and volunteers over an hour-and-a-half at both ends of the night.

Along with transport, an hour of food and beverages from 5.30-6.30pm will be complimentary for Race Week competitors, officials and volunteers.

The Northerlies shuttle bus will cater to the local community, also free of charge.

All the action will take place at Northerlies' newly opened 'Village' featuring the Nakamal Pavilion, Moon Bar, Smokehouse, and American style smoker 'Happy Grillmore'.

Live music will be courtesy of an Airlie Beach 'All Stars' band comprising local musician legends.

Sailors wanting to stay off their boat can book into the nautical cabins at the venue's accommodation hub 'Freedom Shores'.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Tash Wheeler, said the event at Northerlies would be a fantastic showcase for both Airlie Beach Race Week and the Whitsundays.

"Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing is a significant destination event bringing close to 1000 people to the region and injecting around $6 million into the local economy, so it's a great opportunity when collaborations like this can occur," she said.

Airlie Beach Race Week is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland's Destination Events Program and features on the It's Live! In Queensland events calendar, worth $800 million to the state's economy in 2019.

For entry, Notice of Race and all information on the regatta from August 8-15, visit: www.abrw.com.au.

*Post by: Deborah Friend in Airlie Beach Race Week, Northerlies

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Run the Great Whitsunday Trail

Run The Great Whitsunday Trail takes you on a 28.7 kilometre adventure through the beautiful rainforest of the Conway National Park, starting at Brandy Creek and finishing at the Airlie Beach Lagoon.

It is a demanding course with many steep uphill and downhill sections with uneven ground. Also included for the third time is the 57.4km Ultra which will really test the runners’ ability. 

Runners must have competed in previous similar events and also trained well for this event. 

Also included for the second year is the 10.5km Honeyeater Challenge. 

Event time is 0500 to 1500.

Sep 15, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Sep 15, 2019 05:00 PM AEST

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Abell Point Marina's war on plastics

Abell Point Marina

Abell Point Marina is continuing on its path towards ‘cleaner’ living with the most recent development being the signing of a pledge with the Marina Industries Association to fully eliminate single-use plastics from within the marina.

The marina has already committed itself towards being plastic bag free, where all marina guests receive their own environmentally friendly reusable shopping back at check-in. Similarly, all dining and food outlets, plus several tourism operators, within the marina signed The Last Straw campaign pledge in July 2018. Through this, Abell Point proudly became the first marina in the country where every all food and beverage outlets are committed to prohibiting plastic straws.

The future also holds some exciting new environmental initiatives for the marina, following the sponsoring of local volunteer group Eco Barge Clean Seas, through the Containers for Change scheme. The vision is to assist with funding this committed not-for-profit organization, through giving them access to the marina’s collected recycled materials, from which they can generate funds to continue the wonderful work that they do in terms of keeping the seas clean through marine debris removal, recycling of plastics and their Turtle Rescue Centre.

As first-time sponsors of the annual Great Barrier Reef Festival, Abell Point Marina will host a series of marine debris (Trash to Treasure) workshops led by acclaimed artist, David Day. The vision for the workshops is to engage the community by offering them the opportunity to upcycle marine debris into pieces of art, which will then be displayed throughout the 4 day festival in August.

For more information on how to be involved, visit the Great Barrier Reef Festival’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/715314145593824/

Abell Point Marina is consistently working towards reducing their environmental footprint in a bid to protect and preserve the incredible marine environment of their beautiful backyard, the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Staying true to their environmental policy, as well as the spirit of the Whitsundays, the marina is keen to promote bigger adventures, yet with much smaller ‘footprints’. This signed pledge is acknowledgement of the need to proactively address the damaging reality of single-use plastic and publicly show the genuine commitment the marina has towards initially reducing unnecessary waste, and ultimately eliminating it throughout the marina by 2025.

In a bid to guide local operators and visitors on greener ventures through the wonderful Whitsundays, the marina is entirely committed to this pledge and the next steps towards ensuring current and future generation’s enjoyment of a pristine marine environment.

Post by: Deborah Friend in Abell Point Marina

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Hamilton Island Endurance Series – Hamilton Island Triathlon

Swim, bike and run on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Hamilton Island Triathlon is part of a high-energy weekend, with the opportunity to partake in specialised clinics, plus mingle and race with some of Australia's sporting greats. 

This event includes a sprint distance triathlon, team relay and junior events. 

Pristine white beaches. 

Crystal clear waters. 

A breathtaking mountainous interior. 

Hamilton Island is best known as a place to relax. 

But it is also the perfect place to push yourself in paradise. 

The Hamilton Island Endurance series spans four endurance events from May through to November each year, testing athletes on every level. 

Do them all or just do one. 

Race Hard. 

Recover Harder. 

Nov 23, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Nov 23, 2019 05:00 PM AEST

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

$27m of infrastructure projects a game-changer for Proserpine

Lake Proserpine

Proserpine is set for a game-changing development revamp with four projects totalling over $27 million ready to commence in the second half of 2019.

The Proserpine Main Street landscape will change dramatically with its $3.8 million upgrade being book-ended by construction of the $10 million Proserpine Administration Building and $10.9 million Proserpine Entertainment Centre.

In further good news for Proserpine, Stage 1 of the $3.1 million Lake Proserpine Recreational Master Plan will also commence with tenders for the design and construction of two new jetties going out recently.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said his Council had developed and adopted a Proserpine Masterplan in 2017 and was now delivering on its promise to roll out key infrastructure projects.

“Too many times Master Plans are drawn up and then sit dormant on a shelf and not activated but that is not the case with my Council,” he said.

“We are ensuring our Whitsunday Region’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth to support of three pillar economy of Tourism, mining and agriculture.”

Deputy Mayor and Division 3 Councillor John Collins said the jetties will be installed by December and is the first step in redeveloping Lake Proserpine.

“One of the jetties will be installed near the existing amenities block and picnic shelters to allow for boat parking and a fishing platform at the end of the jetty,” he said.

“The second jetty will be constructed for boat parking near the existing boat ramp to utilise while loading and unloading boats.

“In addition to the jetties it is anticipated that the current open space area near the amenities block will be opened for tent camping in September 2019 while the camping area further to the south of the boat ramp is being planned.
“RV’s and self -contained campers will be able to utilise some of the parking bays and an area designated to the south of the ramp.”

Mayor Willcox said he was excited that the Proserpine Main Street upgrade would kick-off late September and be finished early next year after a 4 week break in December for Christmas trading.

“There has been plenty of forward planning completed for the upgrade to minimise interruption to Main Street traders and deliver the project on time and on budget.

“It is planned that much of the work will also be undertaken at night to minimise disruption.

“Upgrades include new entry signage at Blair St and the Main Street entry from the Bruce Highway, new landscaping to suit the constraints of the street with up lighting, improved and consistent footpaths, new kerb and guttering, pedestrian crossings, planter islands and coloured lighting to illuminate the water tower near the Council Depot.

“Accurate timelines for each works section will be advised once tenders are awarded and the successful contractor submits project timelines for completion,” Mayor Willcox said.

“Council will also engage with business owners in the Main Street after the tender is finalised to advise them of potential short-term disruptions and steps being undertaken to mitigate any other trading issues."

Post by: Deborah Friend in Lake Proserpine, Proserpine

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Hamilton Island Race Week

Hamilton Island Race Week is one of Australia's favourite yachting events and a firm fixture on the international sailing calendar.

Competitors, family and friends come together to enjoy the convivial atmosphere and unique camaraderie of the event's on-water and off-water carnival. 

Every August, spectators and yachties from around the globe sail to Hamilton Island for Hamilton Island Race Week - Australia's largest offshore keelboat regatta. 

Perfectly situated on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, amongst Queensland's 74 Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other: glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, awe-inspiring coral reefs, fascinating flora and fauna, fine food and wines, and activities almost too numerous to mention. 

Aug 17, 2019 09:00 AM AEST - Aug 24, 2019 05:00 PM AEST

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Community art project helps fight marine debris in Whitsundays

• Trash to treasure - Festival art to stop plastic from becoming marine debris

David Day has a vision that one day the world’s oceans will be free from marine debris.

For 10 years the Mackay based artist and conservationist has created artworks from materials washed up on his local Shoal Bay shores and collected from the Whitsunday waterways as a volunteer with the marine debris program run by Eco Barge Clean Seas.

Now, he is about to embark on a project that will stop some of this material from entering both ocean and landfill.

Best of all he will bring a community along for the ride as part of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, proudly supported by Cruise Whitsundays.

Mr Day has been engaged through a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant, to create a community art piece for public display at the festival from August 1-4.

The end result – a giant school of fish individually crafted from melted plastic milk bottles – will be a collective effort, led by Mr Day but open to anyone wanting to take part.

These ‘fish’ will be created at two workshops hosted by Lure in Abell Point Marina on Saturday, June 22 and July 13.

Mr Day will come to the workshops armed with the necessary materials and tools, while all anyone else needs to bring is a desire to participate and a healthy dose of imagination.

“It’ll be up to the individual to add things like plastic sprinkles into the designs, creating colourful reef-style species,” Mr Day explained.

“We’re aiming to get as many people as possible making lots of these fish so that when they’re on display at the festival you’ll see a giant school of reef fish of different colours and shapes – just like you see out on the reef,” he said.

“Hopefully this new technique that you can come down and learn at Abell Point Marina will be part of our solution for the future and something unique for this area that could continue to grow.”

Festival chairwoman, Margie Murphy, said she hoped people would be as inspired by the project as the festival team was.

“The Great Barrier Reef is so visual, so art is the perfect medium through which to express that and David Day is the perfect partner in this project,” she said.

“We’re hoping everyone with an interest in art and the environment will come along and join in this community art project so we can all create something together to display on the foreshore at the Great Barrier Reef Festival.”

RADF chair and Whitsunday Regional Councillor, Jan Clifford, said it was extremely exciting to have an artist of Mr Day’s calibre working on this installation in conjunction with the Great Barrier Reef Festival.

“We’re already a very tight community so this is another way of us coming together and creating something beautiful,” she said.

Abell Point Marina Marketing and Business Development Manager, Joscelyn O’Keefe, said the marina team was proud to be hosting the workshops at their waterfront venue Lure.

“This is the beginning of a new and exciting partnership between us and the Great Barrier Reef Festival this year; we are passionate about helping to reduce marine debris and hosting these workshops at the marina ties in perfectly with our own environmental business focus,” she said.

Mr Day will also be on hand during the Great Barrier Reef Festival weekend to help interested participants create messages in bottles, as well as marine-themed pendants crafted from recycled plastic.

These on-site activities will require a gold coin donation but attendance at the workshops, from 10am-3pm both days, is free.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Tash Wheeler, said she was thrilled to see such an engaging and innovative arts element incorporated into this year’s Great Barrier Reef Festival program.

“I know the festival team has many more exciting announcements to make so I would encourage people to save the date,” she said.

To register for the workshops visit the festival’s Facebook page.

*Post by: Deborah Friend in Great Barrier Reef Festival, community art project

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au