Extending from Bowen to Sarina Beach, the Island Coast is where diving, snorkelling, sailing, cruising and island hopping are everyday activities. Experience the amazing coral reefs and sea-life, enrol in a dive course, discover deserted islands on a chartered yacht or spoil yourself at a spa resort.
Towns in this region include: Airlie Beach, Bowen, Brampton Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Lindeman Island, Long Island, Mackay, Sarina Beach and South Molle Island.
Stay in yachts, penthouses and apartments, motels, backpacker accommodations and cottages.

More Information

Queensland – Island Coast – Long Island

Bowen information

Located on a peninsula 206 km south of Townsville, Bowen has beautiful bays and Port Denison is an ideal harbour for sailing. Previously established as a port for the region, Bowen is now thriving fruit and vegetable growing centre, with an influx of seasonal workers from April to November.

Attractions and activities include walking tracks around the bay, horse riding through creeks and bushland, watching water fowl in Mullers Lagoon, snorkelling reefs at Horseshoe Bay, Murray Bay and Gray’s Bay.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, motels and apartments, resorts, holiday units and tourist parks.

Airlie Beach information

Located between Cannonvale and Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsundays. Previously established as a farming community, Airlie beach is now the tourist centre of the Whitsunday region with palm fringed beaches.

Attractions and activities include swimming in stinger-free Airlie Lagoon, markets every Saturday, and sailing around the islands, sky diving, horse riding and diving courses, walking tracks in the Conway National Park, exploring the rainforest at Cedar Creek Falls and whale watching July to September. Nearby Shute Harbour is the major departure point for travel to the Whitsunday Island resorts.

Accommodation options for visitors include yachts, resorts and backpacker accommodation, apartments, penthouses and B&Bs, beach houses, motels and cottages.

Hayman Island information

Located 33km from the mainland, Hayman Island is the most northern island in the Whitsundays. It has forested hills, valleys and beaches.

Attractions and activities include kids club, childcare and huge pool areas, golf driving range, squash and tennis, snorkelling, wind surfing and diving, fishing, bush walking and paddle skis.

Accommodation is exclusively limited to a resort.

South Molle Island information

Located offshore from Shute Harbour, South Molle Island is mostly National Park.Previously used for sheep and cattle grazing, South Molle Island is now a resort island.

Attractions and activities include bush walking, bird watching and swimming, golf, tennis and squash.

Accommodation is exclusively limited to a resort.

Whitsunday Island information

Located approximately 15km from the mainland, Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday group. Previously used for timber milling, Whitsunday Island is now a National Park and has many beautiful camping sites.

Activities include bush walking, snorkelling and boating.

Accommodation is exclusively camping sites including Dugong Beach, Sawmill Beach, Nari’s Beach, Joe’s Beach, Turtle Bay and Chance Bay.

Long Island information

Located 500m from the mainland, Long Island is mostly National Park and can be accessed from Shute Harbour by water taxi, or flight to Hamilton Island and then launch. The island is secluded with fringing reefs and rainforest.

Attractions and activities include bush walking, swimming and snorkelling, sailing, paddleboats and sailboarding.

Accommodation options for visitors include mostly budget accommodation consisting of lodges and holiday units and a resort.

Hamilton Island information

Located 10km from the mainland and 80% wilderness, Hamilton Island is developed family resort with an airport, marina, restaurants and shops.

Attractions and activities include wind surfing, sailing and jet skiing, parasailing, water skiing and game fishing, diving, cruising and golfing, tennis, paintball skirmish and walking trails, kids club, childcare and night entertainment, koalas, kangaroos and wombats.

Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, apartments, villas and sailing boats.

Lindeman Island information

Located 15km from the mainland and mostly National Park, Lindeman Island is the most southerly of the Whitsunday group.

Attractions and activities include walking trails, snorkelling, secluded bays and beaches, golf, tennis and archery, bungee jumping, beach volleyball and night entertainment.

Accommodation for visitors is limited to one resort.

Brampton Island information

Located 32 km north east of Mackay, Brampton Island is almost entirely National Park. Previously established as a nursery for palm trees, Brampton Island is a haven for couples seeking a romantic escape. It is not a party island and does not cater for children or day-trippers.

Attractions and activities include beaches, walking trails, tennis, snorkelling, catamarans, wind surfers, surf skis, water skiing, tube rides, coral viewing, fishing tours and spas & massages.

Accommodation is only available at the resort.

Mackay information

Located 180km south of Bowen at the mouth of the Pioneer River, Mackay has harbour and marina facilities and is a great base to explore the Eungella National Park. Previously established as a cattle area, Mackay is now the centre of the largest sugar producing area in the world.

Attractions and activities include platypus watching in Broken River, bird watching and walking tracks, 4WD, jet-ski safari and fishing, golfing, botanic gardens and galleries.

Accommodation options for visitors include resorts, hotels and motels, apartments, holiday units, backpacker lodges and caravan parks.

Sarina Beach information

Located on the Sarina Inlet, Sarina Beach is a popular holiday town with clean, uncrowded beaches. Nesting sea turtles come ashore from November through to January to lay their eggs and hatch between January and March.

Attractions and activities include Cape Palmerston National Park, fishing and boating.

Accommodation options for visitors include motels, B&Bs and caravan parks.

Contact the Visitor Information Centre at Mackay (1300 130 001) for more information on the Island Coast, Queensland.