How to Get To the Whitsundays? Here Are the Most Affordable Options

There are endless reasons to spend the holidays in the Whitsundays. There’s the incredible view of white sand swirls and pristine blue waters. It also boasts beautiful marine life, from sea turtles to whales and everything in between. And, of course, we can’t forget that it’s at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

The real question is: how to travel to the Whitsunday Islands? There are several choices available, but what is the most convenient mode of transportation that won’t break the bank?

To help you plan your trip, here’s a breakdown of the different ways how to get to Whitsundays:

Like most holiday destinations, the fastest mode of transport to Whitsundays is by air. The archipelago is home to the Whitsunday Coast Airport, also known as the Proserpine Airport (PPP), serviced by four different domestic airline carriers with daily return flights. This option is the most convenient for people living in or near cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and other major cities. If you’re wondering how to get to the Whitsunday Islands from Sydney in under 2.5 hours, travelling by plane is the answer. 

Another option is to head to Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), the Great Barrier Reef Airport. Like Proserpine Airport, it also has daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

Wondering how to get to the Whitsunday Islands by car? It’s possible by heading to Airlie Beach. Bruce Highway, which connects Queensland cities like Townsville, Cairns, and Brisbane, is a 20-minute drive away from Airlie Beach. Driving time ranges from 13 hours to seven hours, depending on your starting point. If you’re coming from a nearby city like Mackay to Whitsundays, transport time will take under two hours. Along the way, you’ll spot signs pointing you in the direction of Airlie Beach for an easy drive.

Technically, Airlie Beach is part of the Whitsunday region, but if you want to reach the Whitsunday mainland or any other isles, you’ll have to take a ferry.

Airlie Beach is an excellent starting point to explore the Great Barrier Reef and its surrounding areas, just a stone's throw away from the mainland. It would be much cheaper and faster compared to other locations.

When planning how to get to Whitsunday Island from Airlie Beach, a great option is to take a ferry with Cruise Whitsundays. The company has routes connecting Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) to Daydream Island and Hamilton Island, with many departures and returns every day.

Wondering how to get to the Whitsunday Islands from Brisbane without taking a plane or going on a drive? A good option is travelling by train. Queensland Rail offers the Spirit of Queensland route, which links Brisbane, Cairns, and every major destination to Airlie Beach. The travel time from Brisbane takes around 18 to 20 hours, but it will be a comfortable ride thanks to the convertible seat to bed option, inclusive meals, access to power adapters, and more!

Thinking about the best way to get to the Whitsunday Islands from Cairns? No problem! Companies like Greyhound Australia and Premier have routes that link major cities like Sydney and Brisbane to Airlie Beach. Since there are stops between the destinations, expect a lengthy trip from 10 hours to 19 hours. On the bright side, coaches have reclining seats, USB chargers, onboard restrooms, and USB charging ports. They even have large panoramic windows so that you can enjoy the beautiful view along the way.