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Attractions & Things to Do

Discover amazing places to visit, from scenic lookouts and wildlife encounters to museums and galleries.

Natural Attractions

Bait Reef and Garys Lagoon Dive Site

Bait Reef, located off Hamilton Island, is one of the best known and most spectacular locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Gary's Lagoon is well protected, making it a great site for snorkellers and beginner divers. The coral cover is excellent and the lagoon makes for easy diving before venturing into deeper water just outside the entrance. The lagoon is home to all sorts of tropical marine life including large soft corals, reef fish, turtles, wobbegongs and the occasional manta ray.

Whitsundays

Natural Attractions

Blue Pearl Bay

Blue Pearl Bay is located on the north-western side of Hayman Island in the Whitsundays Group. Popular with tourists and locals for snorkelling, diving and sightseeing, Blue Pearl Bay is known for its coral and fish life including a resident Maori Wrasse. Day tours and overnight boats visit Blue Pearl Bay for snorkelling and or scuba diving. Visitors typically swim directly off their vessel, or tender into the southern beach and enter the water from the coral beach.

Hayman Island

Natural Attractions

Butterfly Bay - Hook Island

A popular bareboat anchorage, Butterfly Bay is situated on the northern side of Hook Island. There are limited public moorings and snorkelling can be enjoyed along the bay edge or just off the beach. Offering coral outcrops with shallow walls, the bay is populated by many small, colourful reef fish species. The best of the bommies is found in the centre of the bay, although it may be difficult to locate at high tide. Be wary of tidal currents when moving towards the centre of the bay, away from the edges.

Hook Island

Dining and Eating Out

Capers at the Beach Bar and Grill, Airlie Beach Hotel

Capers at the Beach Bar and Grill is an oasis of fabulous food and fine wine in a chic setting by the Airlie Beachfront. The food is innovative and exciting, with house specialities including TAPAS, Localvore (special menu dedicated to serving 100 per cent sourced and grown produce) and local seafood. An extensive wine cellar and bar selection is available to compliment all food choices. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffees in-between, seven days per week.

Airlie Beach

Natural Attractions

Caves and Canyons Dive Site

Caves and Canyons, located on Hook Reef in the Great Barrier Reef, is a 60 metre wall with a 20 metre shelf. This shelf is dotted with scores of bommies which are yet to be discovered and mapped. A great exploration dive as you never know what may cruise on by. Beautiful coral gardens with exceptional overhangs providing photographers with fantastic gorgonian fan opportunities. Keep watch for mackerel, tuna and Indian Steephead Parrot fish. Also, whales have been seen at this site!

Whitsundays

Natural Attractions

Cedar Creek Falls

Located approximately 20 kilometres from Proserpine on Saltwater Creek Road, off Conway Beach Road is the picturesque Cedar Creek Falls. These waterfalls are spectacular in the wet season and offer a year-round natural swimming pool at the base of the falls. They are set in a natural rock amphitheatre. The flora and fauna will amaze you, particularly the strangler figs, red and white cedars and wild orchids. There are also bush walks up and around the falls. Majestic Alexandra Palms line the creek as it continues its journey to the ocean.

Proserpine