Whitsundays QLD

Today we boarded the SeaLink Reef Quest III for a day cruising through the spectacular Whitsundays.

The itinerary included a full circumnavigation of Whitsunday Island, taking us past secluded bays, historic inlets and some of Australia's most breathtaking island scenery before visits to the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout.

After an entertaining shuttle bus ride from our accommodation, on which the driver took great delight in convincing the various international guests that almost every creature in Australia is out to get you, we departed the marina at Shute Harbour and motored out past Daydream Island and South Molle Island via the rather ominously named Unsafe Passage - somewhat fitting given the weather at the time.

Queensland is currently experiencing what's being dubbed a "second summer", delaying the arrival of the dry season. As a result, the morning wasn't exactly inspiring confidence, with looming grey skies and scattered showers.

We arrived at Whitehaven Beach beneath a blanket of cloud. However, by the time the tender dropped us ashore - albeit after an almost hour-long delay due to a mechanical issue - the sun had burst through, revealing the beach's famous white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.

The sand is around 98% pure silica, giving it its extraordinary colour. It's so pure that NASA reportedly used samples to test equipment destined for the Moon. Back in the 1960s, there were also plans to mine Whitehaven's silica deposits for glass manufacturing. Fortunately, conservationists won the battle and the proposal was abandoned.

From the beach, we completed a short uphill walk to the Whitsunday Lookout, where sweeping views stretched along Whitehaven Beach and across to Hamilton Island.

Back down on the beach, with the sun still shining, the boys enjoyed a refreshing swim and a game of ball in the shallows.

Back aboard the boat, as we set off for Hill Inlet, the heavens opened. However, no sooner had we dropped anchor in the bay and made our way across to the island than the rain eased. By the time we'd completed the short rainforest walk to the lookout, the clouds parted once again, bathing the famous Hill Inlet in sunshine just as we stepped onto the viewing platform. Positive vibes for the win!

The constantly shifting sands and tides create one of Australia's most photographed natural scenes. The tide was high when we arrived, so we didn't quite get the full effect, but it was beautiful all the same.

On the way back down, we also sampled green ants. Who knew they made their nests in trees and one colony can take over up to 100 trees! Surprisingly citrusy, with a lingering tingle on the tongue. We'll have to try the gin they make from them one day... 😋

We ended with dinner at the Airlie Beach Hotel, reflecting on a day that somehow delivered all four seasons without ever really getting in the way.

Fun Fact: The Whitsundays were named by Captain James Cook as he sailed through the islands on 3 June 1970, the day on which Christians celebrated the Festival of Whit Sunday that year. However, he forgot to allow for the International Date Line, meaning he was actually there on the Monday. So technically, they should probably be called the Whit Mondays 🙃Read more