Getting Here & Getting Around

The Whitsunday Airports

The Whitsundays has two airports that offer flights from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney. Brisbane offers the best range of connecting flights to the region. The two airports that service The Whitsundays on a daily basis are Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI) and Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP).

Getting Here by Air

Great Barrier Reef Airport is located on Hamilton Island and is serviced by Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. Cruise Whitsundays operates ferries from Hamilton Island to transfer passengers to Airlie Beach and other island resorts. Whitsunday Coast Airport is approximately 40 minutes from Airlie Beach. The airport is serviced by five domestic carriers: Bonza, Qantas, Skytrans, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. Buses and taxis meet every flight to transfer guests to Airlie Beach or to ferries bound to the island resorts. Car hire is also available at the airport.

Getting Here by Road

The Bruce Highway is the major road linking Queensland's coastal cities and towns. The Bruce Highway runs through Proserpine and Bowen, with Airlie Beach located approximately 20 minutes drive off the Bruce Highway at Proserpine. Just follow the signs to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands along Shute Harbour Road. Major national coach operators such as Greyhound Australia and Premier, include The Whitsundays in their regular scheduled services into the coastal community of Airlie Beach from all major centres along the east coast of Australia.

Getting Here by Rail

Queensland Rail services include the Spirit of Queensland, linking Proserpine to all the major destinations from Cairns to Brisbane and beyond to Sydney and Melbourne. Taxis and Whitsunday Transit buses meet every arriving train to provide transfers from Proserpine to Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and the island resorts. Coach transfers between Proserpine and Airlie Beach are included in rail travel passes.