Getting here

Getting to the Whitsundays

By air

Several airlines operate domestic flights to Proserpine's Whitsunday Coast Airport and the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island. Services also fly to Mackay Airport, approximately 150 kilometres from Shute Harbour with connecting bus services. International access is via connection from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns.
Virgin Blue website> Jetstar website> Qantas website>

By road

The Bruce Highway is the main route connecting Brisbane and Cairns. The Whitsundays is located on the central Queensland coast approximately 1120 kilometres north of Brisbane and 630 kilometres south of Cairns. The turn-off from the Bruce Highway east to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour lies just north of Proserpine.
Whereis.com website>

By rail

Queensland Rail operates Tilt-train and Sunlander services to Proserpine from Brisbane and Cairns, and services from Proserpine at very convenient times of the day. Connecting coaches operate from Proserpine to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.
Queensland Rail website>

By coach

Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic countryside as you travel by coach to your Whitsundays destination. Coach companies operate regular daily services between major cities and the Whitsundays. These include Greyhound Australia, Premier Transport Group and Oz Experience.
Greyhound website> Premier website> Oz Experience website>

Getting around the Whitsundays

Car rental

All major rental companies have offices in the Whitsundays. Avis, Hertz and Thrifty Car Rentals have hire outlets at Airlie Beach. Local proprietors, Fun Rentals and We Do Scooters also operate out of Airlie Beach with four and two-wheel options such as scooters and bicycles.
Avis website> Hertz website> Thrifty Car Rentals website> Fun Rentals website>

 

Taxis

Companies operate from Airlie Beach, Proserpine and on Hamilton Island. Australia Wide Taxis offers a 24-hour local taxi service with a taxi rank at Airlie Beach. Whether you want to get from A to B or tour the region, taxis are available for both.
Australia Wide Taxis website>

 

Water taxis

Water taxis are a quick and convenient form of water transport between the various resort islands of the Whitsundays and the mainland port of Shute Harbour. They operate from two main launching sites: Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island. Several companies offer a water taxi service including Fantasea.
Fantasea Adventure Cruises website>

 

Buses

Bus companies operate regular services between Proserpine, including the Whitsunday Coast Airport and Proserpine Railway Station, and Shute Harbour via Airlie Beach. Services are coordinated to meet ferry transfers.
There is also a daily bus service to Mackay airport.
Whitsunday Transit website>

 

Ferries

Ferries depart from Shute Harbour at regular intervals for transfers to the islands and reef. Cruise Whitsundays and Fantasea Adventure Cruising operate ferries from Shute Harbour to Hamilton Island and other island resorts including Daydream Island and Long Island, along with day trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cruise Whitsundays website> Fantasea Adventure Cruises website>