The Most Amazing Bushwalks and Lookouts in the Whitsundays

Activities

3 Feb

Visiting the Whitsundays and doing a bareboat charter will be an experience to remember. Discovering secluded beaches and bays, ancient Indigenous rock art, white as white sand on beaches, towering hoop pines with resident Sea Eagles circling above and coral reefs are only scratching the surface of what you'll find.

Explore a little further and you will find a number of bushwalks both on the mainland as well as the Whitsunday Islands with most of them offering amazing and gobsmacking views that only a photo can describe. Walk a little or a lot - choose from easy short walks to longer more difficult walks but the reward, in the end, is worth it. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have a comprehensive 'Visitor Guide' that covers all of the bushwalks and lookouts across the various National Parks and State Forests in the Whitsundays with a copy provided on board your bareboat. Here are Luxury Yachts Whitsundays favourite bushwalks and lookouts of all time.

Whitsunday Island

Whitsunday Peak, 2.5km one way ( 4 hrs return)

One of the most challenging yet rewarding walks around the islands, the peak of Whitsunday Island reaches an elevation of 437m offering spectacular views over the islands and mainland. Access is from the Sawmill Beach picnic area at Cid Harbour and climbs through steep dry, rocky rainforest requiring a reasonable level of fitness.

Whitsunday Cairn, 2km one way (4 hrs return)

This marked track travels through dry woodland and rainforest to lookouts and beaches. Walk uphill to take in the views of Hook Island and beyond to Border Island. The track is also steep in places so a reasonable level of fitness is required to walk this track. At the top, you are rewarded with numerous vantage points to take in the views.

Whitehaven Beach to Chance Bay, 3.6km one way (2.5hrs return)

As the name suggests, you can walk from Chance Bay to Whitehaven Beach which is perfect to anchor your bareboat in northerly winds and still be able visit world famous Whitehaven Beach. It branches off the Solway Circuit and and winds through some of the Whitsundays finest forest and woodland.

Solway Circuit, 1.2km round trip (40min)

Departing from the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, this track winds through impressive grass and pandanus trees with senstational views over Solway Passage, Pentecost and Haselwood Islands.

Hill Inlet, 1.5km one way (1hr return)

Starting from either Betty’s Beach at the northern beach of Hill Inlet, or from Tongue Bay, this track is superbly marked out to take in the vistas over Hill Inlet. A lot of day charters include a visit to Hill Inlet, so if you want the place to yourself, avoid visiting between the hours of 10am - 2pm to stter clear of the crowds.

Hook Island

Ngaro Cultural Site, 170m one way (30 min return)

Short and initially moderately steep, the track climbs the banks of Nara Inlet to a cave containing Aboriginal artwork of the local Ngaro people dating back to more than 9,000 years ago. The site includes a boardwalk, viewing area and interpretive displays.

Langford Spit

Langford Island, 300m one way (20min)

A new lookout was completed in 2019 with views overlooking Langford Spit towards Bali Hai and Hook Island. At the top of the lookout is an impressive boab tree distinctive by its swollen trunk.

Border Island

Border Island, 1km return (30min)

Head ashore and explore Cataran Bay before embarking on a steep climb to the island’s saddle at the top and enjoy views from two different lookouts looking to the south and north.

Haselwood Island

Chalkies Beach, 275m (20min)

Leave Chalkies Beach behind as you walk uphill to the island’s rocky headland. Passing through a natural gully of shady eucalyptus and grass trees, you are rewarded with spectacular island and sea views from the lookout.