Although accommodation in the Whitsundays Island Resorts is the common choice for many, it's also possible to camp on several of the Whitsunday islands. Hook Island has a privately run camping ground, and on a number of the islands (see the table below) you can camp cheaply at national park sites.

Self-sufficiency is the key to Island camping in the Whitsundays in national parks; some have toilets but only a few have drinking water, and even then not all year round. You're advised to take 5 litres of water per person per day, plus three days extra supply in case of emergency or weather.

You should also have a fuel stove - wood fires are banned on all Whitsunday Islands. There's a national parks leaflet that describes the various sites, and provides detailed information on what to take and do.

Camping Permits in The Whitsundays

A camping permit is required for all campers and can be obtained from the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, located on the road to Shute Harbour outside Airlie Beach on the mainland... for all other Whitsunday information you can refer to: Whitsunday Tourist Info, Whitsundays and Airlie Beach Australia

Advance bookings can be made by writing to the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage, Whitsunday Information Centre, PO Box 332, Airlie Beach, QLD, Australia, 4802. Applications should include your name and address, number of persons in the party, preferred Whitsunday camping site or island, date of arrival and length of stay and the size of your tent or campsite.

Whitsunday Camping Fees

Campsite fees are charged per person per night. Children under 5 years of age are free. Family rate is available. To ensure a good camping site is booked, payment is required in advance. Telephone bookings can be made by credit card.

You can get out to a number of the Whitsunday Islands by booking on the cruise boats offering scheduled Whitsunday Island day trips (generally the sail-around ones rather than the island resort boats) or with Island Camping connection

If you've got camping gear, give it a try - Robinson Crusoeing on your very own Whitsunday island can be a lot of fun. An Esky would also be handy to keep the wine cool.The Holidays Allover booking office in Airlie Beach is helpful and can make a Whitsunday island drop-off booking for you or organize accommodation at one of the Whitsunday holiday resorts...
Phone (07) 4946 6399

The possibilities for camping in national parks in the Whitsundays are summarized in the table below. Please note that some sites are subject to seasonal closures due to bird nesting.

Getting there

There are several ways to access the Whitsunday national park islands. There are three main options:

Commercial tours and boat transfers... transfers can be organised at the tourist booking agency of Holidays Allover (07) 4946 6399. Commercial operators depart from either Shute Harbour or Abel Point Marina. Tides, group size, equipment and costs will determine the type of vessel required.

Commercial boat hire... contact Holidays Allover for operators.

Private Vessel... public boat ramps are located at Shute Harbour, Abel Point, Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Dingo Beach, Conway Beach and Midge Point.

Tides

The Whitsunday area has a large tidal range and can be up to four metres between low and high tides. The average range is about two to three metres.

Access and many activities depend on tide times and heights. Water visibility for snorkeling and diving activities also depends on weather. The most ideal conditions occur during periods of small tides and calm seas.

Climate

Pleasant conditions continue through out the year.

April - September day temperatures are mild to warm (21 - 26 degrees Celsius) with cool nights (16 - 22 degrees celsius) particularly when prevailing south-east winds blow. Water temperatures on the reef flat vary from 22 degrees Celsius in July to 27 degrees Celsius in January.
October - January days are hotter (26 - 31 degrees Celsius) and more humid. Balmy nights follow strong but cooling north-east afternoon sea breezes.
January - April is the wet season though showers may fall in any month. Cyclones are more likely between November and March (see "What to do in an emergency").

Kayakers

If you plan to access the islands by sea kayaking you will need to develop a suitable itinerary according to your fitness level and ability to carry water. You need to know and understand the effects of weather to cross various passages and channels, and what to do when the weather prevents you following your itinerary and camp bookings.