Whitsundays Three Ways — Explore the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

I’ve never dwelled upon the complexity of blue. But as we pass over the Coral Sea amid the deafening whir of our helicopter, there are so many variations of the primary color that I’m out of descriptions – azure, cerulean, royal, turquoise – they’re all present in the waters off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

My group and I are flying towards the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the earth’s great wonders and a legendary place I’ve dreamed of seeing for most of my life. Suddenly, the view changes as blues yield to the ochre and sepia browns of the reef, stretching as far as my eyes can see. We’re on top of it. Words give way to awestruck glances and focusing lenses to capture the expanse below.

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef, aka the “Rainforest of the Sea,” can be surprisingly emotional. The Reef and its inhabitants are a vital ecosystem that protect the marine environment. This living organism has even been nominated for a United Nations Environment Programme, The Lifetime of Greatness Project, in recognition of its importance to the earth and the thousands of oceanic species who call it home.

One of the best places to access the reef (via helicopter or boat) is from Queensland’s iconic islands, The Whitsundays. This tropical paradise of 74 islands, four of which are inhabited, plays host to family- and adult-oriented resorts for every budget. Here are three ways to enjoy the bucolic Whitsundays, gateway to The Great Barrier Reef.

Family Fun in the Whitsundays

The Sundays Hotel opened in April 2025 on Hamilton Island and is the relaxed, family-friendly space refashioned from one of the island’s original structures. The hotel is a quick five-minute electric golf cart ride away from the Hamilton Island Airport. The island is the only one of the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport and direct flight service from Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

The Sundays is the first new hotel to open on the island since 2007, and the boutique 59-room property is the cat’s meow of barefoot luxury with a focus on family fun. Here, children are welcome to run free, families gather around the glorious Catseye Pool, kids can exchange Mermaid Money (a gold coin) for an ice cream sundae from the poolside trolley or stay up late to watch moonlight movies.

The hotel’s restaurant is the open-air Catseye Pool Club, led by renowned Australian chef Josh Niland and wife, Julie. Overlooking the bay, guests savor dinner alla famiglia-style, including flavorful dishes of sustainable grilled seafood and mouthwatering desserts.

The resort and island are the perfect launchpads to access the Great Barrier Reef. Hamilton Island Air’s small group helicopter tours take about 30 minutes to reach a set down point on “Heart Island,” a private floating pontoon moored near the protected Heart Reef, one of the natural wonder’s most iconic places. Take a glass-bottom boat ride, then dive into the warm waters to snorkel the teeming reef system of 40 types of coral, giant clams, colorful tropical fish, and swaying anemones — an unforgettable experience.

Experience Australia’s Love Island

Romance? It’s waiting for you via a one-hour catamaran ferry ride from Hamilton to Hayman Island. This private tropical island boasts a legendary and stylish 75-year-old Queensland hotel property popular with Australians who’ve coveted Hayman and the Whitsundays as a tropical island escape for years.

Couples will appreciate the generously-sized, design-forward suites, beach-side pavilions and large adults-only pool areas at the Hayman Island Intercontinental Resort, the island’s exclusive and only accommodation property.

The low-slung concrete resort (rebuilt several times because of cyclone damage) is embraced by a tropical rainforest and hugs the beach with interconnected wings that maximize privacy and the chance to relax and reconnect.

As part of a Hayman Island stay, plan to rank watersports at the top of your to-do list, whether it’s swimming in the pool or the warm waters of the Coral Sea, riding jet skis, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or enjoying a scenic day trip to magnificent Whitehaven Beach, voted the world’s best beach in 2025.

Dining options include the resort’s signature restaurant, Pacific, an ocean-facing dining room and bar featuring the best of Australia’s impressive wine and culinary dishes, Italian-inspired Amici, the Pan-Asian flavor palette of Bam Bam, and casual poolside victuals and vibe at Aqua. Note: White-feathered cockatoos abound on Hayman Island and are beautiful but also very opportunistic. The birds will snatch unattended food in an instant.

Private Paradise in Queensland

The ultimate luxury getaway in the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island’s exceedingly private and exceptionally beautiful Qualia Resort. The resort’s lush rainforest grounds camouflage private pavilions with ocean and tropical garden views. Don’t be surprised to find yourself rubbing shoulders with Oprah, TSwift, or Amal Clooney by the pool or open-air restaurant.

Of course, there’s a cost to celebrity-level opulence and privacy, yet the vibe is very laid back, in keeping with the relaxed nature of the Whitsundays and Australia in general. Be sure to book time at Spa Qualia, a gardenlike zen retreat of personal body treatments, sound bathing, and holistic therapies created to ground the mind and spirit.

Guests can enjoy playing a round of golf on the spectacular Hamilton Island course, which is located across the water from Qualia, on Dent Island. This is the only Australian 18-hole course on its own private island. Prepare to be as challenged by the course complexity as wowed by the visually striking ocean views from the immaculate greens.

No matter how you wish to experience the Great Barrier Reef and beauty of The Whitsundays, Australia’s favorite islands offer the space and serenity to suit every travel style.

How to Get to the Whitsundays

Air Canada offers convenient direct 14-hour flights from Vancouver to Brisbane, with a short 1.5 hour hop to Hamilton Island after clearing customs and passing through Australia’s mandatory biosecurity protocols. Hayman Island is accessible via private charter or fast catamaran ferry from Hamilton Island.