What is Whitsunday Island known for?
The Whitsunday islands are a popular tourist destination for travellers to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef with the area being one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. Chartering a yacht or bareboating is a popular way to explore the seaways, beaches and coves.
What is the largest island in the Whitsundays?
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is probably the most well known island in the Whitsundays, and is the largest inhabited island out of the 74 Whitsunday islands. It has six types of accommodation, from the infamous Qualia to holiday homes and bungalows and to be frank – is a perfect tropical oasis.
Where are Whitsunday Islands located?
Queensland
The Whitsundays is an archipelago of 74 tropical islands located just 55 kilometres (34 miles) off the Queensland coast, next to the Great Barrier Reef.
Are there crocodiles in the Whitsunday Islands?
Crocodiles. Large, salt-water (estuarine) crocodiles live in the waters around the Whitsundays and can attack without warning. These predators are present and hunting at most times of the year, but particularly around summer wet seasons, and are difficult to see in the water.
Does anyone live on Whitsunday Island?
Whitsunday Island is a highly protected national park that has nobody living on it. National parks have openly stated loud and clear that there will never be any development of accommodation on Whitsundays Island. Whitsunday Island is home to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, which is a very significant aboriginal area.
Why is it called Whitsunday?
The Whitsunday Islands gained their notoriety and name in the late 1700s when Captain James Cook first sailed through the island chain on board Endeavour, a British Royal Navy Research vessel. At the time, Captain Cook believed it to be Whit Sunday, a Christian holiday that takes place 7 weeks after Easter.
What makes Whitsunday Islands special?
The Whitsundays is an archipelago of 74 tropical islands located just 55 kilometres (34 miles) off the Queensland coast, next to the Great Barrier Reef. The clear, protected waters around the island’s secluded beaches and hidden bays are also ideal for sailing, snorkelling, diving and swimming.
Does China own Hamilton Island?
Shanghai-based owner China Capital Investment Group is spending about $100 million fixing the cyclone ravaged resort. Lindeman Island’s Chinese owner, the Whitehorse Australia Group, is spending millions upgrading the island, which is expected to reopen in 2022.
Is it safe to swim in the Whitsundays?
For half the year, it is advised to swim in the Whitsundays’ waters with a stinger suit, unless swimming in freshwater. Due to increased temperatures, there is an increase in marine stingers that can be harmful and potentially deadly.
Is Whitsundays a good place to live?
The Whitsundays is one of the best places on the planet for a holiday but there are around 20 000 people living in the region who are lucky enough to call the Whitsundays home. The staff living on the resort islands often changes from season to season and these jobs are much desired.
What comes after Whit Sunday?
Whit Sunday is followed by Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday, considered to be “the second day of Pentecost”), a public holiday in many countries with Christian traditions. It was the start of a week (especially the first three days) of festivities called Whitsuntide (or Whitweek), which has now largely disappeared.