Honeymoon in the Whitsundays, Australia - A Guide For Newlyweds

Is the Whitsundays a great honeymoon destination?

Your honeymoon is a chance to escape your daily life and the stresses and pressures of wedding planning and truly celebrate your new life together. Whether you choose to do that by relaxing back on sandy shores, or diving into the depths of the incredible ocean life, the Whitsundays can offer all this and more.

Sleep under the stars at the Great Barrier Reef as you tick off that first bucket list item together as a married couple and watch the sun rise with an unforgettable view. Venture to the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach and transport yourself to paradise as you squeak along the shores. The Whitsundays is known for its endless days of sunshine as you dive into an endless myriad of outdoor activities. 

There’s also plenty of delicious food and drink, with the freshest catches straight from the ocean and onto your plate. If you’re looking for an island paradise to spend your first weeks of marital bliss, the Whitsundays is a top contender.  

When’s the best time to visit?

With exceptional weather all year long, you can’t go too wrong when it comes to choosing the best time to visit the Whitsundays. 

Peak season is between September and November, with perfect weather and bustling town life being the major drawcards. However, late October to May is stinger season as well, but most tours will provide you with the appropriate stinger suits to protect you in the ocean. 

January to March are recognised as the wet season, but as this also coincides with the hottest months, the showers often come as welcomed relief! They are usually brief and move on quickly, so you can get on with your day.

Top attractions to visit

With so many incredible islands to visit and experiences to take on, it can be hard putting together the perfect itinerary for this slice of paradise. Here’s some of the top attractions that shouldn’t be missed when planning your honeymoon.

Heart Reef

Discovered in 1975 by a local pilot, this internationally recognised attraction is not to be missed. Coral has naturally formed in this area into its own heart shape! It’s an incredible sight to see. It measures less than 30 metres in diameter and is about 60km away from Hamilton Island.

As it’s a protected area, you won’t find yourself swimming or snorkelling around this reef.The best way to truely see this natural wonder is from the air on a seaplane or helicopter tour over the top. 

Great Barrier Reef

This world heritage site is sitting right on your doorstep, so be sure to make time to dive in and explore it, or even catch a view from the top. The Whitsundays are known for being home to some of the best snorkelling and diving locations around the world. With 74 islands making up the Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you’re spoilt for choice with ways to explore it.

Take off on a snorkelling tour over the inner fringing reefs where you can spot stunning ocean life and plenty of colourful coral in your path. You can even head out to the outer reef for some more snorkelling or to scuba dive in deeper waters as you spot turtles, manta rays, fish and more.

Did you know, you don't even have to get wet to see the magic of this reef? You can take a tour on a glass bottom boat to enjoy all the creatures and colourful coral lurking beneath. You can even head to Daydream Island and experience the Living Reef, which is a man-made reef system that wraps around their main building that you can admire from their underwater observatory.

Cedar Creek Falls

Ready to take a dip in crystal clear waters? This is the place to do it! This well-kept secret is one of the top attractions in the Whitsundays with plenty of hiking trails and swimming spots to choose from in Tamborine National Park.

Make your way to the natural waterhole for a cool shower you won’t forget anytime soon. This picturesque area is 30km from Airlie Beach, and you can make the drive and park nearby before making the short walk from the parking area to these natural rock pools just waiting to be explored.

Enjoy the stunning views overlooking the canyon, waterfalls and rock pools. You can take off on the many bush walks nearby where you might be lucky enough to see some of the wildlife in the area, including birds and butterflies.

Crocodile Farm

If you’re after a unique experience for your trip, Whitsunday Crocodile Safari allows you to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Beyond the sandy shores and crystal clear beaches of the Whitsundays, you will find local estuaries and wetlands that stretch inland from the coast. This is home to native birds, mammals, reptiles and marine life, along with about 150 estuarine crocodiles.

Jump on board a river cruise down the Proserpine River and the surrounding area where you can spot crocodiles and other marine life along the way. You're guaranteed to see a crocodile or two in their natural habitat, while you stay a safe distance away to watch them. This river has the highest density of crocodiles than anywhere else in Queensland, offering up a truly unique experience.

Day Trips

Your entire holiday on the Whitsundays can be spent day tripping from island to island. Whether you base yourself somewhere central (like Airlie Beach) or prefer to hop from one place to another, here are some of the best day trips that need to be added to your itinerary.

Whitehaven Beach

Voted Australia’s most beautiful beach on a number of different occasions, this is a must-visit stop on your honeymoon. It’s the perfect romantic destination, where you can stretch out on the shores with a picnic to watch the sunset before your eyes. 

Head inland and make your way to the famous Hill Inlet Lookout through the native bush and rainforest. Feast your eyes on 7km of pure white sand stretching its way along. It’s just a short 1km return walk from Tongue Bay.

At the Northern end of the beach, you can dip your toes in the water and check out the marine life just beneath the surface. There are plenty of small fish weaving around the shoreline.

Daydream Island

The beaches on Daydream Island are just incredible. You can grab a lounger for the day and take some time out to read a good book and soak up the views. Of course, if adventure is calling, there’s plenty to do from kayaking to parasailing, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing and more. 

Head around to Lover’s Cove for some great snorkelling, or if you prefer to stay dry, you can also check out their Live Reef. You can walk amongst the marine life and even touch baby stingray, sharks and sea cucumbers.

You can take a break from the water and enjoy one of the many short walking trails to explore the island. There’s plenty of flora and fauna to spot al

Butterfly Bay on Hook Island

Located on the northern side of Hook Island, Butterfly Bay is a hidden gem of the Whitsundays, where you can snorkel and dive protected from the winds. As you might expect, the place is also known for its butterfly habitants that can be found on the bay throughout the year.

You can relax back on the shores and enjoy a mix of swimming and sunbathing, or take a trip inland to see the butterflies fluttering around the flowers growing in the area. If you have the time, there’s plenty to see and do around the rest of Hook Island as well. 

You can enjoy a spot of fishing over in the Nara Inlet on the eastern side, experience more snorkelling at Stonehaven Bay with plenty of colourful fish, or even take the walking track from here out to Passage Peak where you can enjoy unbeatable views of the surrounding islands.

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is one of the most popular islands in the Whitsundays with plenty to keep you busy for a day trip, or to stay a few nights. 

Head to Catseye Beach for a mix of snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing, or simply swimming. There’s also a selection of pools to choose from, if you’re looking to step away from the beach. Main Pool is the largest on the island, with plenty of space, including a swim-up bar and live music. The picturesque Solid Pool offers up some incredible views of Catseye Beach. Just beyond Catseye Beach you will find Bougainvillea Pool.

Take yourself on a hike to passage peak (be prepared to get sweaty in the heat!) and reach for the top for 360-degree views of the island and surrounding islands. You can also check out the wildlife park on the island to see some Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles and more.

How long do you need to spend in the Whitsundays on Honeymoon?

The days will all merge together when holidaying in a tropical paradise, so be warned! A week is plenty of time to destress, but if you’re hoping to make the most of that relaxed vibe, then tack on an extra few days at the end.

If you’re planning on taking on plenty of adventure, from hikes through to snorkelling, diving and sailing trips, ensure you have slotted in a day here and there between the activities to recharge and unwind.

About seven to nine days is the perfect compromise to really explore, relax and make lasting memories.

Saving for your Honeymoon trip

The Whitsundays is a considerably affordable destination when you consider the slice of paradise it offers up. If you’re looking to save a few pennies, it’s much more affordable to stay on one of the main beaches, like Airlie Beach, and then take daily tours to see the sights around.

Expect to spend about $300 per night in accommodation, unless you’re looking to splurge (and since you’re on honeymoon, why not!), with another $100-200 for any tours you’re hoping to join and another $150 per day for food.

You then also have to factor in flights on top of this when planning your trip.

Have we given you the Aussie travel bug? We can help with that!

Our Australia Honeymoon Packages and Itineraries are a great place to start or Contact Us to discuss a bespoke honeymoon itinerary developed with our expert travel consultants.