The best things to do these school holidays in the Whitsundays

No school holidays in the Whitsundays is complete without a visit to Australia’s best beach - Whitehaven.

There's so many ways to visit, but one of the most exhilerating is on the fast boats from Ocean Rafting. As the only operator permitted inside Hill Inlet, you’ll become part of the kaleidoscope of swirling turquoise sea and sand. You can easily hop up to Hill Inlet Lookout from the beach to soak in eye popping views and still have time to snorkel, swim and laze on the beach too.

Check into the resort that has a whole holiday of fun within it

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is a perfect spot to stay over the school holidays in the Whitsundays, with caravan sites through to well-appointed family cabins. More theme park than resort, there’s jumping pillows, mini golf, playgrounds, go karts and 13 waterslides to test out. And there’s also farm animals: the kids can join the farmer for the daily feeding sessions and get up close with goats, piglets, chickens, a calf and ducks. Your kids may never want to leave.

Discover Proserpine's wild side

Join Whitsunday Crocodile Safari for a spot of croc spotting in the Proserpine River. Many estuarine crocodiles call this waterway home, so expect to see crocs basking on the banks, and keep those eyes peeled for fish, birds and the famous Queensland mud crab. After your water cruise, the kids can ride in the tractor exploring the Goorganga Plains where an expert guide will introduce you to the reptiles, marsupials and birds that flock to these freshwater wetlands.

Spend a day in Bowen

For an easy day out just under an hour’s drive from Airlie Beach, head to beautiful Bowen. Home of the Big Mango, there’s plenty of road side stalls to stop and indulge, let the kids get messy and then hit the free waterpark on Santa Barbara Parade. Little water babies will love the zero depth play area too.

Afterwards, explore the many secluded beaches Bowen has to offer (BYO snorkels), before a refreshing dip in Cedar Creek Falls on the way back to Airlie Beach to round out a school holiday road trip to remember.

Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef

A day out on the reef is a school holiday highlight in the Whitsundays. Join the crew from Cruise Whitsundays and within a few hours, you’ll be frolicking with the fishes at Hardy Reef's Reefworld Pontoon. A swimming zone with stairs is the perfect entry for beginners, and when they’re ready, the kids will love swimming through clouds of fish, getting up close with coral and spotting the friendly resident Maori Wrasse, Maggie.

Semi-submersible sub rides and an underwater observatory will delight those not quite ready to get wet.

Fuel curious minds at the Living Reef

Daydream Island is home to another jewel in the crown of the Whitsundays; the Living Reef. Kids can explore the coral reef without getting wet in the underwater observatory, which doubles as a classroom complete with touch tank.

You can also sign the kids up for the Junior Reef Rangers program on your family holiday: they’ll learn from the resident marine biologist and go behind the scenes to feed rays and fish, examine coral and learn about vital reef conservation.

Escape to Hamilton Island

For an action-packed trip these school holidays, you can't go passed Hamilton Island. And whether you come for a day visit or stay for a week, make sure you include breakfast with the koalas at WILD LIFE Hamilton Island Park Café.

Afterwards, challenge dad to some Formula 1 go-cart action at the Hamilton Island Palm Valley Raceway where kids can double as passengers. Or if speed is not their thing, quad bikes designed for kids are a fun way to explore the island too.

For free activities, take on one of the many family friendly trails that weave their way around the island. Or just find yourselves a spot under a palm tree and soak up the blue water views and tropical island vibes.

Head to the resort with all the bells and whistles

If you are looking for the ultimate “wish and you shall receive” kind of family getaway, Hayman Island is where your holiday dreams will come true.

Here you can do as much or as little as you choose. Kids can join Planet Trekkers; a curated program designed to connect to the world around them with activities including coral planting and kids’ meditation. Kayaking, fish feeding, beach picnic play dates, guided sandflat exploration and sunset sailing trips are all at your fingertips.

Sail the Coral Sea 

With 74 islands to navigate and endless coves to explore, the Whitsundays is a sailing paradise. Choose to captain your own boat or book a tour, selecting from tall ship experiences to catamarans fitout with waterslides, and everything from day trips to multi-night sailings. 

Visit secluded bays, snorkel amongst the corals and meet the marine creatures that calls the Great Barrier Reef home. The kids can even help hoist the sails as you glide through the Whitsunday’s famous blue waters. 

Hang out at Airlie Beach Lagoon

The hub of Airlie Beach is the free-entry Airlie Beach Lagoon, and you’re sure to visit more than once on a holiday escape to the Whitsundays. The coolest place to wallow with kids, the lagoon is surrounded by lush gardens and has a sandy bottom shallow end for the young ones. Pack your swimmers, your hat and your reef safe sunscreen and relax; you're on holidays after all.

The free school holiday saviour

Whitsunday Regional Council has a host of free school holiday activities designed to keep the kids engaged in Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville and Proserpine. You can expect all sorts of art, craft, science and storytelling at local libraries and messy play dates in the park.