Travel With United Military Travel : Whitsunday Islands, Australia

74 Island Wonders!

Hill Inlet

Ohhhhh to be from Australia....wouldn't that be the life. Growing up and having access to some of the world's most beautiful destinations in your backyard.

The grass is always greener on the other side right??!?!!

But I am just a little ole North Carolina girl

(proud of it)

that is thankful for at least having United Military Travel on my side....what would I do without them?!?!!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

I have been to Australia before and I kick myself everyday for not visiting these islands before I left - I was in the area too! What was I thinking?!?!

But I would like to educate all of you on where the Whitsundays are, what to do, where to stay, how to get there. etc - a travel guide if you will :)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where Are These Islands You Speak Of????

The Whitsundays are a group of islands off the east coast of Australia's Queensland region in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland paradise puts you right in the warm waters of the Coral Sea and gives you 74 islands to explore and the freedom to make the experience truly unique to whatever you desire.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How To Get There...

Getting to the islands from overseas is best done by flying directly into Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney or Melbourne...all of which are major airports in Australia and then booking a domestic flight into one of the Whitsunday's two airports. I suggest booking your domestic flight from Brisbane because it has the best range of connecting flights into the region.

Now keep in mind that you probably are not going to Australia just for the Whitsunday Islands so play around with the ideas of renting a car and driving from Sydney to Brisbane or spending time in Melbourne...catching the bus to Sydney and flying from there. Whatever you decide to do please understand that just because it is a domestic flight, it is still pricey.

Your biggest expense in this vacation is going to be the airfare. But that is ok since I know you are going to book through UMT!

The two airports that service the islands daily are:

Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI)

It is located on Hamilton Island, and is serviced by major airlines from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Also Cruise Whitsundays operates ferries from Hamilton Island to transfer passengers from Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast and other island resorts.

Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP)

This airport is currently only serviced by three domestic carriers: Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways.

Approximate Flight Times

From - To	Flight Time
Cairns – Hamilton Island	1 ½ hours
Brisbane – Whitsunday Coast	1 ½ hours
Brisbane – Hamilton Island	1 ½ hours
Sydney – Hamilton Island	2 hours
Melbourne – Hamilton Island	3 hours

*source: http://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/getting-here-and-around/

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where To Stay

First: Most of the Whitsunday Islands are just beautiful, tropical deserted islands and only 7 of the 74 offer resort accommodation. But whether it is eco-style, family friendly, all-inclusive, activity based, food and wine focused or pure luxury, there is a resort to suit everyone's need.