Islands of North QLD - Whitsundays etc

Heya Folks,
my Girlfriend and I are heading up to North Qld for a week in Sept and I just wanted to hear some thought/recommendations on a few of the islands up there.
We are locked into Magnetic for a few days (I was there last year and it was superb) but we are also looking for an island with a bit more bush on it- preferably where you can snorkle of the shore for a bit of coral.

THe internet has led me to believe the best choices are.
1- Hinchinbrook (between Townsville and Cairns). Massive, Rainforests and you can camp where like- probably with the whole beach to yourself. But ferry is a bit of a rip off at $100 return. And not sure if there is coral

2- Hook Is (Whitsundays). Reefs directly off shore. Also pretty cheap to get ($40 return I think)

3- Whitsunday Island Maybe?? I know it is massive and has the much raved about Whitehaven beach (which is deserted once all the daytrippers leave at 2pm)

But are there any I'm overlooking? I've had a bit of a look on the net but you can't beat first hand knowledge... Also if you have any mainland recommendations as well.
Is it prett much Jellyfish free this time of year? That doesn't start till Oct-Nov right?
Anywhere between Cairns and Airlie is good (but pref closer to Townsville)

Thanks. :mexico:

Hinchinbrook is big and bushy, but not that hospitable. For most parts you need to take a supply of water. I don't think it's very close to the reef either.

Heron Island has coral, as it's a coral cay itself. However that's down off Rockhampton or Gladstone, and I think quite expensive to get to.

There are heaps of islands, but the reef is closest to the mainland around Cairns and Port Douglas, so some of the islands up that way might be closer to the reef. Dunk Island is very nice (or was when I was there about 20 years ago). It has plenty of bush and nice beaches, even a camping ground back then, but again I don't know that it's that close to the reef.

Time of year wise, September is good. There shouldn't be any jellyfish then.

Cheers,
GP

Orpheus island is once I'd recommend. I was there just under three years ago. Beautiful beaches and coral. If you do go you will have to be self-sufficient(own drinking water, fuel stove although there is a gas barbeque on the jetty, even have to charter your own boat) and you have to take all the rubbish with you when you leave.

The island is relatively small, for instance on the bay you arrive in Yank's Jetty, there is a bush track that will lead you to the other side of the island and it's only 200 to 300, even less maybe, hundred yards if my memory serves me correctly.

I've never been to Hinchinbrook before, been to Cardwell lots. Nice place, plenty of crocodiles even on the beach. The tourists don't mind though, they even swim in the beach when crocodiles were sited a day ago. Wouldn't see me in that water for dead

I'd skip staying on any one island and get on a yacht and sail around for 3-4 days, sleeping on the yacht and going ashore to kick sand in the land lubbers faces. You'll see more islands, and be on a yacht! They all run out of Airlie Beach. ps, can I come?

Hayman is the best. Hamilton is the best value.

I don't think you can stay on Whitsunday Island - it is a reserve. Whitehaven beach is awesome, maybe the best beach in the world. If you stay on Hamliton you can do a day trip there, perfect.

I'd go for Hamilton Island and do day trips to Whitehaven beach and other places.

Even staying in a hotel on Airlie Beach is cool, cheaper and more nightlife. Day trips mean that anywhere you stay is good.

Realist said:

Hayman is the best. Hamilton is the best value.

I don't think you can stay on Whitsunday Island - it is a reserve. Whitehaven beach is awesome, maybe the best beach in the world. If you stay on Hamliton you can do a day trip there, perfect.

I'd go for Hamilton Island and do day trips to Whitehaven beach and other places.

Even staying in a hotel on Airlie Beach is cool, cheaper and more nightlife. Day trips mean that anywhere you stay is good.

Click to expand...

Realist thanks for your input... but Hayman/Hamilton are the absolute anti-christ of what I want. Big glitzy, with yucky beaches.... only thing going for it is its accesability (you can fly there direct). There's not too many Islands on the world LOWER on my list than Hamilton... (maybe Alcatraz)

Kipp,

You should skip the Whitsundays then and go to the Perhentian Islands off the NE coast of the Malaysian Peninsula.

Absolute paradise.

Kennas

kennas said:

I'd skip staying on any one island and get on a yacht and sail around for 3-4 days, sleeping on the yacht and going ashore to kick sand in the land lubbers faces. You'll see more islands, and be on a yacht! They all run out of Airlie Beach. ps, can I come?

Click to expand...

Kennas- an excellant suggestion, and that'd be my first preference if I had a few people coming along as well.

BUT sadly
1. girlfriend is bit worried about getting sea-sick. as she has been before on her last daytrip on the reef
and

2. the $$$ is a bit of a concern for me if a boat is split by 2 (~$500/day to rent a basic one... maybe down to $350 on standby rates if you can get them)

but I love Sailing, and would love to explore 10 islands as opposed to 2. (Better for fishing as well). Maybe if BSM has a 50c takeover offer before then (as per Young-Traders dreams) I could afford it!

Well it aint North QLD, but Fraser Island is awesome!

I used to work on one of those islands. Slave labour.
Anyways, if l were going to go back l would only go to Hamilton (jetstar flys there) or Hayman. You can also get a yacht from Hamilton island and cruise around the islands yourself, which l think is the best way to go.
I think that Airlie Beach is one overpriced place to. You can't really swim in the ocean half the year because of the stingers either.

DB008 said:

You can also get a yacht from Hamilton island and cruise around the islands yourself, which l think is the best way to go.

Click to expand...

At what cost?

I've spent a few days at daydream. It wasn't bad. The whole island is a resort.

Jetskis, catamarans, open air cinema. Not too bad at all actually. Although I haven't seen the other islands to compare to.

We have stayed at Hayman Island and Hamilton Island, in June and September respectively. Weather at both times was wet in June and very windy in September. But warm enough to go swimming.

From Hamilton we travelled by launch to Whitehaven, and some people were very very seasick - there is an area they call the washing machine! But we were fine - we took Ginger Tablets and they really do work!

So having been to both, I would love to charter a yacht and sail for a week. I dont know how much it costs though, but with a group it would be cheaper. I never get seasick (my Dad was in the Navy for 12 years on HMAS Australia) but my partner does, dreadfully! So no Whitsundays yacht for me!

However, we have travelled to Fiji and went on the Blue Lagoon Cruise, and that was just.....amazing, and no seasickness! Each day you travelled to one of those crystal clear lagoons, the vessel was moored at night and the staff cooked these amazing Fijian BBQ's (lovos) on the Beach. Swam in crystal clear warm water. Even underground caves you could swim through!

Bliss!

September is right on the edge of the safe season for marine stingers. October is officially the start of the stinger season but occasionally they come as early as September.
Crocs are a potential threat at any time, even in the ocean. Just because you can't see any, doesn't mean they aren't there. Not for love nor money would I venture into a creek in North Queensland, except in a boat.
And yet you see people in the north taking incredible risks with crocodiles, but only occasionally is someone taken.
Hook Island was one of my favourites but there were others too that were very good, although I don't remember the names.
If you have access to a car while you're up there, just south of the Whitsundays in the Mackay to Sarina area are several beautiful palm fringed beaches.
Eungella just inland from Mackay is another beautiful spot if you like mountains and rainforest and crystal clear streams and magnificent views and green pretty country .
But with only a week at your disposal you may not have time for all these places.

Bunyip

bunyip said:

September is right on the edge of the safe season for marine stingers. October is officially the start of the stinger season but occasionally they come as early as September.
Crocs are a potential threat at any time, even in the ocean. Just because you can't see any, doesn't mean they aren't there. Not for love nor money would I venture into a creek in North Queensland, except in a boat.
And yet you see people in the north taking incredible risks with crocodiles, but only occasionally is someone taken.
Hook Island was one of my favourites but there were others too that were very good, although I don't remember the names.
If you have access to a car while you're up there, just south of the Whitsundays in the Mackay to Sarina area are several beautiful palm fringed beaches.
Eungella just inland from Mackay is another beautiful spot if you like mountains and rainforest and crystal clear streams and magnificent views and green pretty country .
But with only a week at your disposal you may not have time for all these places.

Bunyip

Click to expand...

Forgot to add that if you want to see crocs in the wild, I'm told that the boat curise on the Proserpine River just inland from the Whitsundays is the best place in the north to see them.

Well- to follow up on my trip up North.

3 days in a Campervan from Cairns to Airlie. Some grouse stuff in between there. I love swimming at waterholes, (and no I didn't see a single croc...) but it was quite a bit of distance to cover in just 3 days (well... 2 and half, was a bit late picking the van up!).

2 nights at South Molle Island. We had wanted to go to Hook Island, as it is meant to be awesome. But there are a few drawbacks. From the camping grounds at the North End there aren't many walking tracks at all on the island, so you are pretty much stuck there (which doesn't sound too bad I guess), but in order to get there it costs $150 per person. Which I think is a bit s'house, considering my flight to Cairns (from Melb) was $140!!! Option B is to stay at resort... but anyway, we camped at South Molle- very windy!!! LIke 30 knots at night. ONly now did I remember prospectors comments.

Prospector said:

We have stayed at Hayman Island and Hamilton Island, in June and September respectively. Weather at both times was wet in June and very windy in September. But warm enough to go swimming.

Bliss!

Click to expand...

Yeah, don't be fooled, it's not always golden sunshine up there! But the bushwalking was awesome at South Molle, and we hung out at the resort a bit, drinking cocktails and stufing around with their tourist activities (archery, bocce etc) but the weather was pretty yuck, and there was virtually NO-ONE swimming or snorkelling on the island. I think the only way I'd go back to the Whitsundays was if I chartered a boat and explored it that way....
prospector, are you interested (ditch that sissy man of yours!!!)

The real highlight for us was Magnetic Island off Townsville, where we spent our last 2 nights. The weather was perfect... and it is a very pretty spot- even though it is more developed than the Whitsundays (~2500 people live there). You can walk to secluded beaches, go sailing, rent a scooter, snorkel at Floerence Bay. I think we should of spent the whole week there!!!! Stay at Horsehoe Bay, it's very cute, and close to the best beaches. We stayed at Bungalow bay which was nice, frienly, awesome pool and bar, but slept like crap on account of the birdlife- it is noisier than Kings Cross.... next time I'll bring a shotgun.
But Magnetic was Cheaper, less pretentious, and more enjoyable than the Whitsundays (and very easy to get from Townsville). But anyhow, just my thoughts.

All in all it was good fun, and I'd recommend it to anyone of the ASF who has to endure a Melbourne/Tassie winter...
Thanks to everyone who posted

Kipp

he he! Your holiday sounds fabulous - did they have the Barramundi curry at South Molle? It was to die for! I had forgotten South Molle, and just remembered we were there probably in July, and, very wet! But we did some snorkelling because well, we were there, werent we! So wet that they did a bush walk which was supposed to include cooking damper, but all they did was manage to smoke us out, cough cough!

Well, I am trying to get him to think about Chartering a boat again, but just in case......