whitsundays cruise strike

Union announces industrial action against Cruise Whitsundays after breakdown in negotiations

Workers employed by North Queensland maritime transport company ‘Cruise Whitsundays’, a subsidiary of multinational cruising company Hornblower, will stop work TODAY, 15 September, for 24 hours after the good-faith bargaining process between the employer and the workforce was ended by company representatives.

Cruise Whitsundays – which is understood to be being prepared for sale by the parent company – is a major transport supplier for Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays region and the largest marine tourism company in Airlie Beach.

Amidst a spiralling cost of living and inflation crisis, the company’s HR representatives have pursued what amount to significant wage cuts for a workforce which already receives below-market rates of pay compared to direct competitors performing similar work in the Whitsundays region.

At the commencement of negotiations, the Union and its members sought pay parity with other operators doing the same or similar runs and charters, but Cruise Whitsundays have refused to participate in further bargaining meetings with the Union and have even declined to engage in bargaining meetings assisted by the Fair Work Commission.

“This is a profitable company being fattened up for market by a global shipping outfit that doesn’t want to give its Australian workforce a fair-go,” said MUA Queensland Branch Secretary Jason Miners. “The company’s reputation was built on the hard work of a workforce that delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the most beautiful part of the world, but the crews are being paid barely more than the legal minimum wages while the company generates exorbitant profits greater than any of their five other businesses combined!” Mr Miners said. 

The company put forward a draft agreement that included a 3% wage increase for 2023, below inflation, and a 0% wage increase for 2024 – this ridiculous proposal was rejected by 87.4% of staff at a recent ballot.

The 24 hour work stoppage that will occur from 6am this morning, Friday 15 September, will be backed up by further industrial action including the wearing of campaign t-shirts, additional work stoppages from the 20 th of September (up to 7 days total stoppage) and work bans on charging passengers for alcohol or cleaning vessels.

“Cruise Whitsundays are ripping off their workers and conducting themselves disgracefully throughout this bargaining process. They claim to pay “above Award rates”, but in many cases identified by the Union this is just 1 cent per hour above the legal minimum, which demonstrates the shamefully cynical attitude that underpins this company,” Mr Miners said.

“It’s high time the workers at Cruise Whitsundays caught up with their peers, kept up with the rising cost of living, and were paid a fair amount for the hard work they do, but this company now wants to sink negotiations by refusing to meet with us at the bargaining table,” Miners added.

In addition to the breakdown in negotiations caused by Cruise Whitsunday’s refusal to meet, the MUA is also in the process of lodging proceedings for breaches of the current employment agreement and crew underpayments that amount to multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Jason Miners: 0401 211 866

Dave Lyons: 0439 348 545

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Thursday, September 21, 2023

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

CRUISE ON STRIKE

Marine workers strike for fairer pay.

For the second week in a row, marine staff from Cruise Whitsundays are on strike and, while their right to protest is acknowledged, many are frustrated that their behaviour has disrupted countless travel plans during the busy school holiday period.

Three vessels are unable to operate, multiple subsidiary local businesses and suppliers have been impacted and workers commuting to nearby resort islands have been unable to transit.

The strike is expected to last for seven days, for the school holiday period, impacting holiday plans for thousands of holiday makers and possibly the overall reputation of the Whitsundays as a holiday destination.

Frustrated marine workers are striking once again this week to demand fairer pay, requesting a 30 per cent wage increase to align with “industry standards”.

Meanwhile, the marine company they work for is scrabbling to accommodate disgruntled tourists and manage disrupted ferry timetables during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

Timed to cause maximum impact during a busy school holiday period, there is no doubt the workers have made their point, but their actions in causing such significant disruption to many innocent holiday-maker’s plans is sitting uneasily with many members of the community.

The initial protest began last Friday morning when about 30 Cruise Whitsundays staff members held a peaceful picket line at the marine terminal.

A representative, who requested to stay anonymous, said that the motivations for the strike are a last resort at the end of a long battle to ask for fairer pay.

“The right of the employees to negotiate a different agreement has been refused time and time again,” they said.

“They left us no choice but to engage with the maritime union and with the fair work commission.

“A lot of workers are literally one cent above minimum wage – they’ve had a year to get on the negotiation table and they’ve put us less than a dollar up.”

Meanwhile, Adam Hosie, Cruise Whitsundays General Manager said that since July 2022 they have implemented pay increases totalling six per cent and have now proposed an immediate further average increase of over five per cent and higher for those with longer tenure.

“The new wage offer, which was proposed to take immediate effect, would see crew pay rates between 4.8 per cent to 44.4 per cent above award, depending on their position, skill level, and tenure,” he explained.

A meeting between Cruise Whitsundays and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) took place on Monday, but no resolution was reached.

“Workers left the meeting in bewilderment at a pay offer from the company that amounted to between $1 and $1.50 per hour for a small percentage of staff,” said MUA Queensland Branch Secretary, Jason Miners.

“The company’s offer is completely unacceptable, an unfair and indefensible position, so we have no choice but to take further industrial action,” he said.

Protestors also allege that the Current Enterprise Agreement expired in March 2022 and that Cruise Whitsundays are refusing to negotiate reasonable terms on any matters.

In response, Cruise Whitsundays says it acknowledges it has reached “its nominal expiry date” but contests that “the agreement continues to apply until a new agreement comes into effect”.

They also state that “over the course of these negotiations, Cruise Whitsundays has put forward multiple proposals for review by our Bargaining Committee and MUA representatives”.

“We have agreed to and resolved almost all matters presented, however we have not received any reasonable or sustainable wage proposals for review. Despite invitations for feedback from the MUA, we have not received any,” said Mr Hosie.

The biggest point of contention for protestors, however, is their perceived rate of pay compared to other marine staff operating similar tours in the same area.

Cruise Whitsundays’ marine workers protesting outside the terminal on Friday last week. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

An unusually quiet Cruise Whitsundays terminal that would normally be a hive of activity over the busy school holiday period. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Holiday Plans Disrupted

“We are over at South Whitehaven Beach every day and SeaLink and Cruise Whitsunday are doing exactly the same thing, except there is a 30 per cent disparity in wages between the vessels across the board,” said the anonymous protestor.

“At least match SeaLink – come to industry standard, we are not asking for millions - for them to be able to afford to pay us properly it will be a dollar and a half to $13 extra on different tickets. We’ve done the maths, and it will mean putting the ticket price to Whitehaven up by just $7.50.”

Cruise Whitsundays alleges that despite repeated requests, the MUA is yet to produce any supporting documentation that demonstrates this claim.

The company also states that a 30 per cent increase is unsustainable for the business.

“The MUA claims a "30 per cent disparity in wages" between Cruise Whitsundays and other workers in the same industry but has provided no data or wage comparisons to other local businesses with Marine Tourism as their core business,” said Mr Hosie.

“While Cruise Whitsundays has continued to negotiate in good faith, presenting fair and sustainable offers, the MUA is steadfast in demanding an uplift of 30 per cent in pay rates across the board. “

Mr Hosie also asserts that increasing ticket prices does not directly correlate to wage increases.

“These ticket price calculations have been discussed with MUA officials and it was agreed that a number of factors had been overlooked in the calculations, resulting in significantly substantial increases being required to cover the requested wage increases,” he said.

In regard to accusations that staff are only being paid “literally one cent above minimum wage”, Cruise Whitsundays stated that “this as a result of current negotiation of pay rates being underway, and increases to our lowest level roles were applied from 1 July 2023 to ensure that everyone is paid at or above award until the new rates would take effect.  

“Subsequent discussions have seen agreement on a rates calculation that achieves well above award rates,” explains Mr Hosie.

While both parties are looking for a swift and positive outcome, it seems they remain poles apart in terms of what they are able or willing to agree to.

“Although only a minority of our staff are taking protected action, all of our staff are feeling the effects,” said Mr Hosie.

“From the Reservations team who must call and disappoint our guests, to the catering team who are unsure how to plan for the coming weeks, to the marine staff who are happy to accept the fair proposal and get on with their jobs, everyone is affected.

“Additionally, we are also mindful of the many local suppliers who rely on the consistent weekly work that Cruise Whitsundays provides.”

Rick Hamilton, CEO of Tourism Whitsundays said he deeply regrets the timing of the strike during the school holidays, when our beautiful Whitsundays are at their prime.

“It's disheartening to see this disruption during such a busy time, with many of our operators running at capacity,” he said.

“The Whitsundays have been thriving with 90 per cent occupancy and it's disappointing that this action has coincided with a time when guests had planned to make the most of their Whitsundays experience.”

Hundreds of families can no longer enjoy a day out on Whitehaven Beach with Cruise Whitsundays because of the strike. Photo credit: supplied

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Cruise Whitsundays offers offensive $1 pay rise – workers to strike again today

• 19 Sep 2023 11:24 pm AEST Date Time

MEDIA RELEASE

MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND BRANCH

JASON MINERS

BRANCH SECRETARY

CRUISE WHITSUNDAYS OFFERS OFFENSIVE $1 PAYRISE – WORKERS TO STRIKE AGAIN TODAY

WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

Workers employed by North Queensland maritime transport company ‘Cruise Whitsundays’, a subsidiary of multinational cruising company Hornblower, will stop work again TODAY, Wednesday 20 September, for seven days, after being offered a pocket change pay rise by their multinational employers. Workers will also refuse to charge passengers for alcohol or clean the vessels.

The Maritime Union is suggesting anyone with Cruise Whitsunday bookings check the company’s cancellation policy if their plans will be affected by the stoppages, which have been caused by management’s reckless refusal to offer a reasonable deal to their workforce.

The company’s HR representatives met with MUA officials and delegates on Monday, but workers left the meeting in bewilderment at a pay offer from the company that amounted to between $1 and $1.50 per hour for a small percentage of staff.

“The company’s offer is a completely unacceptable, unfair and indefensible position, so we have no choice but to take further industrial action,” said the MUA Queensland Branch Secretary, Jason Miners.

“Cruise Whitsunday don’t have a business without their workforce. These hardworking, loyal employees took a pay freeze during COVID, but with summer coming early and the post-COVID tourism boom, now it’s the workers’ turn to receive some recognition and respect for the contribution they’ve all made for many years to this profitable company,” Mr Miners added.

At the commencement of negotiations, the Union and its members sought pay parity with other operators doing the same or similar runs and charters, but Cruise Whitsundays have refused to match the pay on offer by other companies.

“If you take the management position at face value, this company is so poorly run and the upper management so overpaid that if the frontline workers got a decent wage outcome the business would go under,” said Mr Miners.

“This is a profitable company being fattened up for market by a global shipping outfit that doesn’t want to give its Australian workforce a fair-go.”

“The company’s reputation was built on the hard work of a workforce that delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the most beautiful part of the world, but the crews are being paid barely more than the legal minimum wages while the company generates exorbitant profits greater than any of their five other businesses combined!” Mr Miners said last week at the commencement of the dispute.

At the commencement of negotiations, Cruise Whitsundays put forward a draft agreement that included a 3% wage increase for 2023, below inflation, and a 0% wage increase for 2024. This offensive and ridiculous offer was rejected by 87.4% of Cruise Whitsunday employees at a recent ballot.

Additional work stoppages commencing today, 20 th of September will be complemented by staff wearing campaign t-shirts aboard the vessels as well as work bans on charging passengers for alcohol or cleaning company vessels.

In addition to the wage dispute brought on by Cruise Whitsunday’s refusal to offer a decent pay rise, the MUA is also in the process of lodging proceedings for breaches of the current employment agreement and crew underpayments that amount to multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Cruise Whitsundays staff set to strike again from today

The Maritime Union of Australia claims other workers in the industry are being paid 30 per cent more.

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THE STRIKE action being carried out by Cruise Whitsundays staff doesn’t seem to be going away, with the latest round set to last for seven days.

The latest strike action started on Wednesday (September 20) and follows previous industrial action last week (Friday, September 15), which lasted for 24 hours.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) representative Dave Lyon said staff contacted the union for advice after the company ‘flatly refused’ to enter into negotiations with staff, when the current enterprise agreement expired about 18 months ago.

“We were issued bargaining orders around about Christmas, and it took another three months, being March 2023, to get a meeting,” Mr Lyon, who is assistant branch secretary, said.

Mr Lyon said the company had sent out a proposed employment contract to all staff, which was voted on and rejected by 87% of staff members, according to Mr Lyon.

“That’s a pretty outstanding no,” he said.

The union and the company met again on Monday (September 18) where an offer was made by the company and rejected by the union.

“So, we went to protected industrial action,” Mr Lyon said.

The second lot of strike action started on Wednesday (September 20) with a number of staff members turning out to picket alongside their colleagues.

At first, they were positioned close to the Maritime Terminal and then they progressed into the Airlie Beach main street.

A 19-year-old deckhand, who did not want to be named, said there were a ‘multitude of different reasons’ he was striking.

“I would like to be paid closer to, or equal to the amount of, other companies in the area,” the deckhand, who has worked for Cruise Whitsundays for two years, said.

“I’d like to be paid a similar amount to them…something more than the bare minimum.”

The strike action has led to the cancellation of several Cruise Whitsundays tours, due to ‘staff shortages’.

In a statement, Cruise Whitsundays said the company had been in ‘active discussions’ with employees and MUA for the past 12 months to negotiate a new enterprise agreement.

“During this time, Cruise Whitsundays has implemented pay increases totalling six per cent,” the statement read.

“The new wage offer, which was proposed to take immediate effect, would see crew pay rates between 4.8 per cent to 44.4 per cent above award, depending on their position, skill level and tenure. Further increases have also been proposed across the life of the agreement.

“The MUA claims a ’30 per cent disparity in wages’ between Cruise Whitsundays and other workers in the same industry but has provided no data or wage comparisons to other local businesses with Marine Tourism as their core business.

“While Cruise Whitsundays has continued to negotiate in good faith, presenting fair and sustainable offers, the MUA is steadfast in demanding an uplift of 30 per cent in pay rates across the board.”

The statement went on to say that the company was ‘saddened for the many holidaymakers who have been left disappointed by the extreme measures taken by the MUA’.

“We endeavour to keep critical services in operation as a priority and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement said.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach a positive resolution with our employees soon.”

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Cruise ships return to regional Queensland port of Whitsundays

From cruise ship groupies to honeymooners and uni breakers, the Whitsundays has welcomed passengers ashore for the first time in more than two years. 

Key points:

• Whitsundays welcomes cruise ship passengers ashore for first time in more than two years
• Cruising was worth $10 million a year to the local economy before COVID-19
• 40 to 50 ships will stop in Airlie Beach between now and Christmas

The Pacific Encounter is the first cruise liner to visit the region since the industry re-opened  from a COVID-19 shutdown in March. 

It had about 2,000 people on board when it set sail from Sydney earlier in the week.

Volunteer Ambassador Program coordinator Brian Richardson said cruising was worth about $10 million a year to the local economy.

He said there would be between 40 and 50 cruise ships docking at Airlie Beach in the run up to Christmas. 

"It works out at close to 80,000 people if it all happens," he said.

"Pre COVID we had 60 ships in a financial year...there will be 26 just in November.

"It's a bit scary actually."

He said it was subject to everything going to plan.

"We've set up a new process because of COVID and the flu," he said. 

He said volunteers tried to keep a bit of distance from the passengers who came in.

"We meet and greet them and give them a little map ... point them in the direction of the bus," he said.

Ferry impressive 

Passengers will explore the best of the region, reef and restaurants. 

Whitsunday Regional Council acting mayor Mike Brunker said Friday's arrival was like waiting at the airport for a loved one. 

"The guys on the cruise ship today are the groupies ... they're rock solid and love their cruise boats," he said.

"A good percentage of Australians are saying well let's see how the first couple go."

New South Wales South Coast resident Wendy Grima said she already had five cruises lined up.

"It's great to be back on the seas and having lots of fun," Ms Grima said.

"I haven't been here since 1988."

Tourism town

Councillor Jan Clifford said intra-state visitors from places like Moranbah and Townsville had kept the region afloat.

"They're a different market, they don't spend as much as the internationals do but they've kept us alive," Ms Clifford said.

"I hope the Aussies that are waiting for their passports come and visit us before they take off to Fiji again."

Tourism operator Jan Claxton said she already had lots of forward bookings at her business, Ocean Rafting.

"One of the last trips we did before we closed down was to a cruise ship," Ms Claxton said.

"It really feels quite nostalgic today ... picking up where we left off."

She said it was good that the Whitsundays had welcomed a lot of the Australian domestic tourist market during COVID-19.

"We had so many people over the last two years go I didn't even know that this place existed," she said.

"I think we will retain people who will come every year even when they start going back overseas."

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Cruise Whitsundays offers offensive $1 pay rise – workers to strike again today

Published: 19 Sep 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Authorised by P Crumlin, Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney

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The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands that lie off the coast of Queensland , Australia and form part of the Great Barrier Reef . The islands are one of the most popular Australian tourist destinations. The vast majority of islands are designated national parks and major attractions include access to coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, pristine beaches, especially Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island and clear aquamarine warm waters. They are well connected by two major airports on Hamilton Island and the mainland town of Proserpine . Over half a million visitors come to the Whitsundays each year.

Understand [ edit ]

The name comes from Captain James Cook, the first European to navigate the east coast of Australia, when he sailed here on 4 June in 1770. He was struck by the area's beauty and named the island after the day he thought it was - "Whit Sunday", the seventh Sunday after Easter, in the Christian calendar. It later turned out his calendar was wrong, it was not Whit Sunday, but the name has stuck. From looking around you can see many expensive yachts sailing about, the playground for Sydney's rich and Queensland's property developers. For those who are still saving for their own yacht, several ferry companies operate from Airlie to bring people on daytrips around the sights. A typical daytrip might include a visit to Whitehaven beach, a trip to a part of reef for some snorkeling and a prepared lunch. The most visited island have accommodation, but that still leaves many less visited islands with no accommodation in the protected national parks. But for the more adventurous an enormous choice of camping sites dot every island, where nobody else will come.

History [ edit ]

Before tourism, the Whitsundays were used for logging. Aboriginal people had traditionally used the trees here for timber, which might account for references in Captain Cook's diary about grasslands when he first came here. White settlers did the same, after the Aboriginal population had been nearly annihilated by European diseases and bloodshed. Nowadays, there is no visible trace of logging ever having happened in the Whitsundays (except for the old dam that was used by the sawmill on Sawmill Creek in Cid Harbour Whitsunday Island), although on Hook there are two clues of previous industry. One is that at the Nara Inlet there are Aboriginal cave paintings. This can be accessed by boat, either on private charter (bareboating) or on one of the backpacker sailing yachts who sometimes stop in. The second is that if you stay on Hook (and on some other islands) you may hear bleating in the forest. Goats were introduced by the colonialists so that ship wreck survivors could find food and later so that loggers could have something to hunt in the event that food ran out.

Get in [ edit ]

There are buses from Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour as well, and it is a popular stopping off point. Sometimes standby rates for the island resorts are available there.

Even though it isn't that far off the Queensland coast, access by private boat isn't as simple as you may first think. Hamilton Island has many coral reefs near it and the tidal range is 5.9 m. There is a marina (call in on Marine VHF radio Ch 68 or ☏ +61 7 4946 8353 ) but prices start at about $17 per hour or $60 per day (2011). It makes stopping by for lunch at one of the many restaurants a bit less attractive.

Hamilton Island is visited occasionally by cruises. Most must tender their passengers to shore, where they have immediate access to a modest selection of rather nice resort shops and restaurants.

Ferry [ edit ]

Ferry transfers from different arrival points and between some islands are provided by Cruise Whitsundays . Ferries are available from:

• Hamilton Island Airport to: Long Island Resort, Daydream Island, Shute Harbour and Abel Point (Airlie Beach)
• Hamilton Island Marina to: Abel Point and Shute Harbour
• Prosperpine Airport via Abel Point to Hamilton Island marina, Daydream Island and Long Island Resort

Ferries are scheduled to meet most flights to the two airports. Ferry prices are quite expensive, at $50–70 for adults and children depending on route. Children under 4 are free. Bookings are available from Cruise Whitsundays directly or through your resort, for the same price.

Get around [ edit ]

• Bus from Proserpine to Airlie beach
• The airport, some residences, and most of the hotels, shops and restaurants on Hamilton Island are serviced by free shuttle buses.

Boat companies [ edit ]

• Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays is one of the largest vessels in the Whitsundays that has onboard diving.
• Avatar Sailing is one of the fastest sailing vessels in the Whitsundays.
• Cruise Whitsundays takes you to many places and also a catamaran called Camira and a pontoon on the reef at Knuckle Reef.
• Mantaray Charters takes you to Whitehaven Beach and to a beautiful reef for snorkelling. Scuba diving possible for certified divers and introduction dives. Maximum 34 passengers in a chilled atmosphere.
• Ocean Rafting . Fast and fun with high speed boats that can brave all conditions. This company actually caters for the island hopping day trippers, but can comfortably fit a few campers' packs and water on board. The price is $164, according to their brochure available in Airlie beach (the website quotes $180, possibly to get more money from an unknowing distance booker). This is part of their two-day package for touring all around the islands, and should mean taking you to several different locations for snorkelling. If this does not interest you, there is no reason that they should not charge the normal day rate of $97, if you plan on going to one of the locations that they visit on their typical route (e.g. Whitehaven beach). The staff are super friendly, professional and efficient. They lend you stinger suits (should you feel the need for one) and snorkelling equipment for free, but do not give you water, so you just need to sort it out in Airlie.
• Pacific Sunrise Whitsundays provides sailing trips of the Whitsunday islands and the great barrier reef from Airlie beach.
• Schooner Whitsunday Magic , a 115-ft Mediterranean luxury schooner doing Whitsunday Island sailing trips.
• Solway Lass Whitsundays is a restored tallship, over 100 years old, doing cruises of the Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach.
• Spank Me Whitsundays , a maxi racing yacht doing Great Barrier Reef and island trips with onboard diving.
• Wings Diving Adventures , a sail and dive tour operator with two boats in their Wings and Emperor Wings fleets. They offer guests the opportunity to sail and scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef. Eco-certified tour operator with high standards of safety on all their vessels. They offer live aboard cruises on 2- or 3-night adventure tours around the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Their tours depart Airlie Beach 6 days a week.
• ZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour , a company that started in Airlie Beach in 2017, uses dynamic pricing and has a good staff. The boat has 1,200-horsepower Suzuki engines with comfortable padded seats and includes lunch and snorkel equipment in the price of the ticket. The tour visits Whitehaven Beach, South Whitehaven Lookout, Chalkies Beach and Haslewood Island Lookout plus one snorkel location.
• -20.26822 148.71704 1 Prosail Whitsundays , 350 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach ( beside national bank ), ☏ +610749464444 , [email protected] . 7AM-6PM . Operates overnight sailing tours to the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and Great Barrier Reef. In 2022, they commenced specialty charters running once a month including Whitsundays spearfishing charters, freediving charters and yoga retreats. The boats depart from Coral Sea Marina and they have a reservations office in Airlie Beach. A$699 . ( updated Mar 2022 )

See [ edit ]

Whitehaven beach [ edit ].

Whitehaven Beach is by far the most recognised of all the Whitsundays landmarks. Stretching about 4.5 km and consisting of fine, brilliant white sand, it presents the image that is used most often in tourism brochures and regularly on TV advertising in Australia. The view from the lookout across Hill inlet is remarkable and on a sunny day (Like most days are), it is nothing short of spectacular.

The sand at Whitehaven Beach is 98% pure silica. The water lapping along the beach which is usually sheltered during the south easterly trade winds (Most of the year) and so the water where the sea meets the beach is often crystal clear and makes for perfect swimming. It is also a "nursery" for baby sharks and stingrays which can be seen just by walking along the flood line.

In 2019, National Parks opened a new lookout platform at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. The walking trail to the lookout is an easy grade of 900 metres each way. 180-degree views from the south platform include the full length of the beach in one direction and back towards the mainland in the other direction.

Hamilton Islands [ edit ]

Hamilton Island is the most developed and populated Whitsunday island and has its own airport, post office and bank. It boasts some of the most valuable real estate in Australia, and has many options for accommodation, which range from a standard hotel room to your own house! The most cost effective way of staying on the island is a house or apartment, especially for larger groups eg for weddings. There are many developments including unit complexes, the Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club, the newest resort, the 6-star Qualia (on the island's northern tip) and the golf course and accommodations planned for Dent Island. High rise is on the island - the Reef View Hotel, Whitsunday Apartments and Yacht Harbour Towers are iconic. A bit 1970s/80s in style from the outside, they are nevertheless testaments to the island founder Keith Williams' genius as the views from the upper rooms are stunning.

Hamilton Island and Dent Island are privately owned by the Oatley family, founders of Rosemount Wines in Australia. The island is owned on a perpetual lease from the Commonwealth Government. Bob Oately bought the island from previous owners Banker's Trust, a publicly listed company. The island was founded in 1984 by Keith Williams, who also started Sea World, on the Gold Coast. In the 1990s Williams went bankrupt due to complications with a pilot's strike and banking problems and the island was briefly taken over by Holiday Inn.

Despite development, the island remains a haven for options in getting out to reef areas and Whitehaven Beach (about 1/2 hr by boat, Great Barrier Reef about 2 hours), fine accommodation, plenty of restaurant options, good walking around largely untouched island (Passage Peak hike is a tough effort but being the highest point on the island the views are very well worth it, it takes about an hour hard walking from the back of Reef View to the summit or allow 3 hours round trip if you want to stroll. Some brave souls run it or take their mountain bikes!), and nice beaches. There is certainly plenty to do on Hamilton (or Hammo to the locals) or you can definitely just relax by one of the pools.

There are regular ferry services from the mainland and other islands, but even though it isn't that far off the Queensland coast, access by private boat isn't as simple as you may first think. Hamilton Island has many coral reefs near it and the tidal range is 5.9m. There is a marina but prices start at about $17 per hour or $60 per day (2011). It makes stopping by for lunch at one of the many restaurants a bit less attractive.

Don't expect a deserted tropical island though - it can get very busy during peak times (September/October and Christmas period). The feel is more small town, down to the community atmosphere, stopping for chats along the street and friendly helpful locals. Quite a few locals have been on island for years but there is also a huge number of young "transients" who only stay a few months. Due to the developments there are also many who regularly holiday on the island, whether they rent an apartment or own their own.

The island's populated areas are loosely divided into three main areas - Marina Village (or Front Street) - this is where most of the shops and restaurants, the bank, the post office, the general store and the newsagency are; Resort side - Catseye Beach, the main pools and the resort accommodations - Reef View Hotel, Whitsunday Apartments, Palm Terraces/Bungalows and the Beach Club are here; and the "northern end" where most of the apartments and houses are as well as the newest resort Qualia on the island's northern tip. None of these areas are more than 5-10 minutes by golf buggy (the main mode of transport) away from each other.

Dent Island [ edit ]

Dent Island is west of Hamilton Island and is owned by the same owner as Hamilton under the same lease from the Commonwealth Government. It has been known in the past as Hamilton Island West.

Whitsunday Island [ edit ]

Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the archipelago, and home to the famous Whitehaven Beach. Most day boat trips come here and it is on most people's "must-see" list of things while here. Whitehaven beach faces east towards the open sea, making some boat journeys there very choppy. The size of the island also means there are dozens and dozens of little coves and inlets where people with yachts or boats can pull in away from it all. Many boats also go to Tongue Point , which has a well trodden trail up to a built lookout over Whitehaven. Some of the boat packages on offer for first-time visitors can have the feeling of a troop march for one camera shoot place to the next, so if doing daytripping, choose your boat company wisely.

Whitehaven beach's main attraction is the pure white silica sand, along a 7-km (4½-mile) stretch. Sunglasses are essential (seriously!) Different theories about the sand exist, one of the more interesting that Australia's tectonic plates rubbed together and the silica oozed up from the Earth's, before being washed up here. Because of the sand's purity, it was almost mined by the American government in the 1960s for military uses. The substance can be used for satellite dishes. Luckily that did not come to pass, and the beach is now protected under the national park. Well over a hundred people dock here daily on tours, and it is always being voted one of the best beaches in the world, by the people who vote for these things. But between about 4PM and 10AM it is entirely deserted, for the intrepid few that camp overnight (or people who own yachts). There is a pit toilet behind the beach and no running water.

Hook Island [ edit ]

Hook Island is the second largest in the archipelago. The first maps of the area were drawn incorrectly, and depicted Hook Island in the shape of... yes, you guessed correctly! In fact, Hook is shaped something like the Peloponnese in Greece, looking like three downward pointing fingers. Hook is home to an underwater observatory, leaving 95% of the island as national park.

Enquire at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie on the Queensland Coast for excursions or charters. ☏ +61 7 4946 2400

The Coral Observatory [ edit ]

A local businessman built an underwater coral viewing station here for opening in 1969. Apparently, in order to build observatory's foundations, he exploded the coral bed and thousands of dead fish floated the top. Frustrated at what he had just done he exclaimed, "Struth, I wanted people to see the bloody coral, but I can't get to it without blowing the bastard up!"

Today the observatory is distinctly unremarkable. The windows for your "observing" are 30 cm wide and fogged up. It does however serve as a pier to the island. Try not to be sold this as a reason to come, because snorkeling is a better option, and the rest of the island is lovely anyway.

Hayman Island [ edit ]

Hayman Island is beautiful, and by far the most exclusive resort in the Whitsunday group. The whole island is privately owned and people without prior arrangements may not dock. Some of the most beautiful coral reefs are just off shore from here on the north west side of Hook Island.

Daydream Island [ edit ]

Daydream Island is a small single resort, with paths connecting the resort activity centers with the accommodation rooms. The island is quite family friendly, and includes a range of activities for guests.

Long Island [ edit ]

Long Island is mostly undeveloped save for three resorts. One is largish — the Club Croc Resort on Happy Bay. The other two are smaller, more intimate "eco" style resorts — Peppers Palm Bay and Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge on Paradise Bay.

South Molle Island [ edit ]

South Molle is a small resort island. The company also operates Koala Resort backpackers in Airlie Beach and three backpacker boats that are run out of Airlie.

Lindeman Island [ edit ]

Lindeman Island is being redeveloped.

Events [ edit ]

Outrigger Cup . During June or July each year is the Outrigger Cup. Outrigging is a Hawaian sport using canoes with one "outrigger ama" to balance the boat on the ocean. During this week the action is mostly centred on Catseye Beach (on the resort side of the island) with 1-, 2- and 6-person canoes competing over days in various events including short sprints and longer marathons, the most difficult being the Hamilton Cup marathon where the paddlers go right around Hamilton Island. For the fitter crews (Hawaii mens are particularly strong) this takes about 3 hours — that's hard paddling! The atmosphere is festive, the competition fierce and well-known Australian Iron Woman Lisa Curry-Kenny is a regular competitor. Her Noosa team is a very strong competitor in the women's divisions.

Hamilton Island Race Week . August sees the famous Race Week, started by Keith Williams in the 1980s. This sees hundreds of yachts from 30-foot boats rented for the week to billion-dollar super yachts finely tuned for serious racing. Famous yachts that regularly compete include Skandia, Alfa Romeo and one of the Wild Oats yachts - owned by the island's now owner Bob Oatley. Various classes of racing range from cruising division (despite the name some crews in this division are very competitive!) to IRC divisions for the yachting professionals. Race Week is when the island really comes alive with hundreds of sailors filling the marina and hotels, from the serious bustle of the mornings getting ready to race, the colourful spinnaker starts (on the last day various tourist boat operators take their vessels out with guests to watch the starts), to the sunburnt yachties straggling one and two boats at a time into the marina after a days racing to crack open a beer, put some music on and then head to the Marina Tavern for some hard "relaxing" after a day of hard racing. The night life is almost as important as the day's racing! Many Australian entertainers such as Jimmy Barnes have regularly performed at Race Weeks and there is live music every night from various performers. By far the most anticipated highlight is the Whitehaven Beach party - no-one wants to miss it! Only two divisions race over to Whitehaven but all the yachts go, along with the tour boats and ferries and barges. Bars and barbecues are set up on the beach and everyone plays beach cricket (during the 1980s, famous Australian cricketers would play on the beach, and famous Australians such as Elton Flatley and Lachlan Murdoch have attended), throws a frisbee or a footy, plays volleyball and generally mucks around. Footwear not required, bikini or boardshorts, hat and sunnies essential. Some island local girls plan their bikini outfit well in advance!

Do [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

See Hamilton Island#Sleep for Hamilton Island facilities.

Camping [ edit ]

There is a superb variety of choices for campsites on the Whitsunday islands for people who want to get away from all the pre-packaged tourism. The first thing to check out is the basic brochure online from the Queensland Government. It gives a good outline of the different campsites and a map of where everything is. To stay on a campsite you need to phone up the Queensland Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing on ☏ +61 7 4946 7022 , or visit their office in Airlie. It costs $4 per person per night and offers a brilliant way to see the scenery unhindered during the day, and stars when night falls when no one is left in sight. You just need a pack for some food, some water and a tent and you are away.

The national parks of the Whitsundays also fall under the regulatory oversight of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). As detailed in the online brochure, campers are required to have sufficient water. The recommendation is five litres per person per day, and three days more for emergencies. In practice three or four litres a day will last people who are careful. So as not to be overcharged purchase the water or big containers to carry some at a petrol station or supermarket in Airlie. Another regulation, from the collective wisdom of the two authorities, is that boat companies need special permits in order to drop campers off on an island (even though someone with their own boat would need no permission!)

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Daydream Island Resort , ☏ +61 7 3259 2350 , toll-free: 1800 075 040 , fax : +61 7 3259 2399 , [email protected] . Family-oriented resort occupying an entire island. Activities include an artifiical reef, sailing and kayak hire, snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. Childcare is available at Skippers Club, providing childcare for children from 6 weeks of age. $175-400 per room per night .  

Splurge [ edit ]

Hayman Island is the most upmarket of the Whitsunday resorts. Lindeman Island has quite a few facilities, if you go for the "Club Med" resort feel.

" Qualia on Hamilton island and Paradise Bay Eco Resort on Long Island will cost you as much, if not more than Hayman and all are unique experiences.

• Fantasea's Reefsleep accommodation is on Reefworld, a floating pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef, 40 nautical miles (74 km) from land. It provides either a king-sized bedroom or a four bunk-style bedroom suitable. Overnight, only the staff are on location to look after you as all other guests have departed to the mainland, leaving you with exclusive use of the pontoon and its underwater viewing chamber. Overnight guests also get an al fresco dinner including wine, full breakfast, buffet lunches, sunset beverages, and two scuba dives or a guided snorkelling safari.

Go next [ edit ]

There are many daytripper boats out to the Whitsunday Islands, but you can also take a day or two trip to Airlie Beach on the mainland if you like.

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Whitsundays Fly & Cruise Packages

Make the very most of your time in the Whitsundays as you explore the seas, sands and skies of paradise! Combining the excitement of soaring in a seaplane with the wonder of jetting across the pristine waters of the Whitsunday Islands, our exclusive day trip combos have something for every budget. With optional extras such as snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, a bush walk to Hill Inlet Lookout or a delicious lunch on Whitehaven Beach, our Fly & Cruise Packages are bound to delight!

Experience the best of both worlds with this amazing combo, cruising around the mesmeric Whitsundays and then see them all from above the very next day! 

• Marvel at the unparalleled beauty of this archipelago on Whitsunday Bullet !
• Enjoy a  scenic flight to Heart Reef
• Combine two unique adventures whilst creating lifelong memories in the Whitsundays
• Relax on Whitehaven Beach, hike to Hill Inlet and snorkel at best spots in the area!
• See the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands from above, on a spectacular 70-minute scenic flight!

See the scenic beauty of the Whitsundays on land, in the sea, and in the air!

• Embark on the award-winning Thundercat  day tour to Whitehaven Beach
• Snorkel, swim, hike to Hill Inlet Lookout, and cruise around the Whitsunday Islands
• Take to the skies on Ocean Rafting's incredible scenic flight
• Soar over Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and the iconic Heart Reef from the comfort of a seaplane
• Experience the absolute best of the Whitsundays with this convenient combo package

Enjoy the perfect combination of adventures with this wonderful package. See the beauty from above and below!

• Enjoy a scenic flight to Heart Reef  with a guaranteed window seat
• Explore the deep blue with Ocean Rafting - Northern Exposure
• Combine two unique adventures for the best trip in the Whitsundays
• Relax on the north of Whitehaven Beach, and then peer at it from above!
• Have fun with a social and adventurous crew!

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Enjoy an incredible combination of adventures with this unique package. Experience the delights of the sea and then see it from above!

• Enjoy a scenic flight to Heart Reef 
• Explore the deep blue with Ocean Rafting - Southern Lights
• Combine two unique adventures for a perfect trip in the Whitsundays
• Relax on Whitehaven Beach, and then peer at it from above!

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