Long Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the Whitsundays, and with a choice of two beachfront resorts is the perfect setting for a quiet honeymoon or romantic getaway.
The island is 9km (5.6mi) long and – at its widest point – just 400m (437y) wide. Mostly national park, Long Island has around 17km (10mi) of walking trails from which to explore its hilly natural landscape.
Surrounded by secluded bays and expansive coral fringing reefs, the island offers excellent snorkelling, kayaking and sailing.
Here you can relax under the palm trees of a white-coral sand beach or stroll bush trails that criss-cross the island to secluded bays and beaches.
A range of activities are provided by the island’s two resorts including paddle-boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, water skiing, parasailing and sailing.
You can also arrange for heli-tours, day trips to other islands and short cruises.
Explore Long Island on a choice of walking tracks through dry rainforest and vine thicket.
With more than 17km (10mi) of graded walking tracks, Long Island offers a range of walks suitable for all fitness levels. Walks can be accessed from either Happy Bay or Palm Bay.
Along the way, lookout for native Australian wildlife including wallabies, curlews, bush turkeys, goannas and various species of colourful birds. Plant species including eucalyptus trees and towering hoop pines.
Long Island Circuit – This trail is the only Long Island track that offers scenic views to other islands in the Whitsundays. Accessed from Happy Bay, allow one hour, five minutes for this 3.5km (2.17mi) return walk.
Round Hill Circuit – This track passes through vine thicket and remnant eucalypt forest. Allow one hour, five minutes for this 3.5km (2.17mi) return walk that is accessed from Happy Bay or Palm Bay.
Pandanus Bay – Follow this trail across the narrow island neck to a pandanus-lined rocky beach. Allow 30 minutes for this 600m return walk from Palm Bay, and one hour, five minutes for the 1.5km (0.93mi) walk from Happy Bay.
Humpy Point – This trail leads through dry rainforest thicket, and while shady it offers no views to neighbouring islands. Allow 30 minutes for this 1.2km (0.75mi) return walk from Happy Bay, and one hour for the 2.6km (1.6mi) return walk from Palm Bay.
Sandy Bay – This gently climbing track takes you through rainforest and then descends to a small, secluded beach lined with mangroves. Allow four hours for this 8.2km (5mi) return walk from Happy Bay, and three hour for the 5.8km (3.6mi) return walk from Palm Bay. Sandy Bay is also home to a small camping area.
Choose between the luxurious 5-star Elysian Retreat or the family-friendly 4.5-star Palm Bay Resort Whitsundays.
At the Elysian, seafront villas offer uninterrupted views of Conway National Park and the rainforest from the southern end of the island. With the accommodation, you also receive three gourmet meals every day, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, canapés before dinner, unlimited use of snorkel gear, glass-bottom kayaks and stand up paddle-boards.
Nestled in secluded Palm Bay in the neck of Long Island, the Palm Bay Resort (photo) offers beachfront villas, bures, bungalows, suites and houses for accommodation. The resort offers a choice of activities from day spa retreats and ocean rafting to kayaking and snorkelling.
Sandy Bay provides a camping area featuring a small, secluded beach lined with mangroves and backed by rainforest. A walking track from the campsite allows you to explore the island further.
The beach can be reached by shallow draft boat only at mid to high tides. The campsite can accommodated up to six people in an open area without separately defined sites. Facilities include a toilet.
Note: You are required to book and pay for your camping permit before arriving at the camping area. You may book online at Queensland National Parks website, at an over-the-counter booking office or at a self-service kiosk. Advance bookings are recommended for holiday periods. Fees for camping permits are AUD$6.75 per person per night, or AUD$27.00 per family per night.
In general, the camping areas can be reached by boat only. They are open 24 hours a day. Check-in after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure. Open fires are prohibited, generators are not permitted and you need to bring essentials such as drinking water, food, rubbish bags and insect repellent.
For the best weather visit Long Island anytime between May and November. However, late March through December are considered the best holiday months.
Long Island (and the Whitsundays in general) enjoy a tropical climate with hot summers, warm winters and a pleasant spring and autumn.
Summer, from December to February, averages between 25°C (77°F) and 31°C (87°F) and winter from 18°C (64°F) to 26°C (78°F).
For more climate info: Whitsundays Weather Guide…
Long Island is the closest island in the Whitsunday group to the mainland, being only 1km (0.6 mi) from the coastline, and around 6km (3.7mi) east-north-east of Shute Harbour. A boat transfer from Shute Harbour takes 20 minutes.
The Whitsundays lie off the central coast of Queensland, around 900km (560mi) north of Brisbane and 600km (372mi) south of Cairns.
The most convenient route to The Whitsundays is by air to Proserpine Airport (PPP), also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, followed by bus or taxi to Airlie Beach.
The airport is located about 38km (24mi) south of Airlie Beach, around 40 minutes by shuttle bus and less by taxi. Whitsunday Transit operates a regular bus service from the airport.
There are no direct international flights to Hamilton Island Airport or Proserpine Airport.
From international destinations this may require first flying into Brisbane Airport (BNE) – or to Cairns, Melbourne or Sydney airport – followed by a connecting flight to Proserpine Airport.
Alternatively, you can fly to Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), also known as Great Barrier Reef Airport, then hop on the ferry to the Port of Airlie, which takes 1 hour 10 minutes, hourly.
By train, the nearby town of Proserpine, about 26km (16mi) from Airlie Beach, is on the main railway line between Brisbane and Cairns, with a frequent service provided by the Spirit of Queensland.
By bus, Greyhound and Premier coaches stop at Airlie Beach on their journey between Brisbane and Cairns.
For more about getting to the Whitsundays…
Latest update: Long Island, Whitsundays: 22 November, 2023
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