WHITSUNDAYS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Welcome to the Whitsundays – the heart of the Great Barrier Reef!

From the pristine islands and perfect silica sand beaches surrounded by Coral Sea to the permanent holiday hotspot of Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays set the scene for a perfect coastal getaway. While the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and it’s 74 idyllic islands are undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of this delightful destination, there’s also a wealth of lesser-known treasures awaiting your discovery. If you can drag yourself away from the beaten tourist path, you’ll unearth a host of hidden gems such as the uncrowded yet beautiful beaches of Bowen in the north, the inland pioneering town of Proserpine, and the haunted country hotel at Collinsville in the west. From luxe romantic escapes to family-friendly getaway and action-packed adventure, the Whitsundays deliver a diverse range of experiences for every taste and budget.

Before you check in to your holiday accommodation, be sure to check out the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre, where the welcome is as warm as the tropical midday sun. This not-for-profit centre offers visitors genuine, unbiased information services and booking assistance, to help all travellers make the most of their Whitsundays experience. With expert, first-hand knowledge and top local tips, the friendly team can help you discover the highlights and hidden gems of this piece of paradise they call home.

So, cruise on in and get the local lowdown on all the very best things to do and experience during your next Whitsundays escape.

Description of Displays

The Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre is conveniently located just 2 minutes North of the charming town of Proserpine, right next to the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation at Bruce Highway.

Just 20 minutes inland from Airlie Beach, Proserpine is often the first port of call for visitors arriving by road, rail or air. Outside the centre a large, van-friendly gravel car park offers plenty of room to pull up and take a break. A wide, shady veranda welcomes you in, with tables and chairs to sit and soak in the friendly, casual vibe. Large glass windows depict stunning scenes of the region’s bountiful beauty – overlooking the luscious Conway National Park.

As you step inside, you are greeted by the friendly faces of the information services team. Brochures showcasing the many local accommodation houses and attractions line the walls, providing a treasure trove of resources to help you make the most of your time here. To the right, a TV shows footage of exciting experiences on offer in the region. To the left, a large map of Queensland adorns the wall, along with marketing materials promoting attractions to the north and south of the Whitsundays.

Two comfortable chairs invite you to sit, relax and take your time pondering your plans. With so much on offer, you’ll be spoilt for choice and may need to call in the experts to assist with planning the perfect itinerary for your unique needs. Thankfully, the friendly centre staff are here to help – answering your questions, offering helpful hints and unbiased advice to help you on your way.

Back outside, a winding path leads to the Plantation café, serving locally grown coffee and delicious food. There’s even a small animal farm free to enjoy and indoor air-conditioned play area to keep the kids entertained, while you sit and daydream about your upcoming Whitsundays adventure.

History and Fascinating Facts

Long before Captain James Cook first sailed the Whitsunday Passage back in the 1770s, the Ngaro Aboriginal people inhabited this island archipelago and are one of the earliest recorded Indigenous groups in Australia. The coastal mainland was home to the neighbouring Gia tribe. Further north, the Juru, Birriah and Jangga people lived on the land towards Bowen.

European settlement began in the area in the 1860’s. The discovery of gold near Proserpine in 1871 brought a flurry of hopeful prospectors, and the region continued to flourish as it established a growing economy built on livestock, sugar cane production and coal mining (near Collinsville). Around the mid-twentieth century, the natural beauty of the Whitsundays began to attract more significant visitor numbers, as travellers sought to explore the region’s soft, white beaches and underwater wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef. The construction of an airport on Hamilton Island in the 1980s saw the local tourism industry really take off, firmly establishing the region as a holiday hotspot for visitors from near and far. The tropical resort town of Airlie Beach became the launching point for aquatic adventures amidst the unspoilt islands and calm, clear waters of the surrounding Coral Sea, also earning a reputation as a holiday haven in its own right.

These days, the region’s picture-perfect landscapes set the scene for a number of movies including Spiderhead, Fool’s Gold, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man’s Chest, and several romantic comedies including Ticket To Paradise and Love Is In The Air. From backpackers to billionaires, and families to film stars, everyone wants a selfie with the Insta-worthy natural wonders of the Whitsundays. In fact, Hayman and Hamilton Islands regularly serve as a relaxing retreat and aquatic playground for the world’s rich and famous, as well as the rest of us mere mortals seeking a tropical seaside escape.

Whitsunday Highlights

The Whitsundays offers an idyllic tropical getaway with so much to love. Here’s a few highlights.

The laid-back resort town of Airlie Beach is the mainland hub of the Whitsundays. Nestled between the Coral Sea and the lush, rainforest-clad hills of Conway National Park, this vibrant community exudes a fun, holiday vibe. Relax by the foreshore lagoon, dine on succulent fresh seafood, or launch into aquatic adventures. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the 74 spectacular islands of the Whitsunday group.

Not far from shore lies one of the seven natural wonders of the world - the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Swim, snorkel, dive (or even sleep) amidst this incredible natural wonderland. Or take to the skies for a birds-eye view of Heart Reef – a natural reef named for its lovable shape.

Scattered on the Reef’s doorstep is a majestic collection of tropical islands beckoning your exploration. While many are pristine national parks, several offer a variety of resort-style accommodation or back-to-basics camping options. The largest is Whitsunday Island – home to the world-famous soft silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Here you’ll also discover Hill Inlet, where the changing tide creates a swirling fusion of turquoise waters and pure white sand – a truly magical experience!

45 minutes’ drive north of Airlie Beach, on the shores of Edgecumbe Bay, lies the northern jewel in the Whitsundays' crown. This quiet, picturesque seaside town is home to eight incredible beaches offering scenic walking tracks and fringing coral reefs perfect for snorkelling. Or visit the famous 10-meter high Big Mango, located next to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre.

A scenic 85-kilometre drive west of Bowen you’ll find the heart of the Whitsundays Outback - Collinsville. This close-knit community offers a friendly and warm country welcome to its many visitors.

Accessibility

The Whitsundays is located on the central Queensland coast, about 1100 kilometres north of the capital city of Brisbane, and 630 kilometres south of Cairns. The region is serviced by two domestic airports – the Whitsundays Coast Airport (Proserpine), and the Great Barrier Reef Airport (Hamilton Island), offering quick and convenient connectivity with Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne. Transfer options are available to take you where you need to go, and Whitsunday Transit offers public transport in the area. National coach operators offer scheduled services to the coastal community of Airlie Beach from all major eastern Australian centres. The Spirit of Queensland rail service runs between Cairns and Brisbane and beyond, including a stop at Proserpine Station, with a RailBus connection to Airlie Beach.

The Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre is located beside the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation, at 12505 Bruce Highway in Proserpine. Unfortunately, the centre is not accessible via public transport. At the time of publishing, the centre’s opening hours were 9am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm on weekends, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Anzac Day. To confirm opening times or for any other enquiries, visit tourismwhitsundays.com.au, email info@tourismwhitsundays.com.au, or give them a call on (07) 4945 3967.

The Whitsunday Visitor Information Centre offers accessible parking and is a single-level structure that’s accessible to wheelchair users. The nearest toilets (including accessible facilities) are located at Whitsunday Gold Plantation Café, just 20 metres from the information centre. If travelling with an assistance animal, there is a large grassy paddock next to the carpark, or gardens around the centre, suitable for toileting your dog if required.