The Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands is a group of 74 tropical climate islands in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. They are mainly uninhabited with exception of a couple. Whitehaven beach is the most visited and Hamilton Island the most coveted. The beaches are beautiful white sand made of silica, very fine and almost translucent. Let’s talk about this:
Millions of years ago when Australia broke away from Antartica the quartz it rests on what exposed. Over years the quartz was worn down to a fine, white, powdery silica or acrylic sand. This sand was carried north from rivers and ocean currents and settled in the Whitsundays. The sand does not get hot, but reflects the sun beautifully and is brilliant white.
A ferry picked us up shipside and we cruised the beautiful green waters weaving through the islands.
Hamilton Island is an ultra luxury self contained resort with its own airport that can accommodate a commercial size plane. The resort has just been purchased this year by the Blackstone company. (Sound familiar?)
In 2007 there was a severe cyclone which ruined the only other large resort. It will be reopening next year.Read more