Introduction

This page contains information on getting to the Whitsundays and includes links to Australian domestic airline timetables, coach timetables, train timetables and Whitsunday Ferry service timetables. Remember, if you are coming to Airlie Beach via Hamilton Island Airport, you will have to connect with a ferry from Hamilton Island to Shute Harbour. Scuba diving in Australia is best in the Whitsunday Islands region of the Great Barrier Reef

Location of Whitsunday Islands

Central Queensland - approximately 1100km north of Brisbane and 600km south of Cairns

Airports

1. Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI)

2. Whitsunday Coast Airport located at Proserpine.

• Virgin Blue and Jetstar (a subsidiary of Qantas),operate regular flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Whitsunday Coast Airport (also referred to as Proserpine airport). You can travel to Airlie Beach and Cannonvale by bus or taxi, a distance of about 30 kilometres. Check the airline nks below for flight schedules

• Qantas operates a service from Cairns and Jetstar from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Hamilton Island Airport. Fantasea Cruises Ferry Service co-ordinate with these flights for transfer to Shute Harbour. From there the local bus service or taxi will be available to take you to Airlie Beach (about 7 kilometres).

• A third option is to fly into Mackay airport and connect with the bus (approximately 0930) to Airlie Beach.

Qantas Domestic Flight Schedule

Jetstar Domestic Flight Schedule

Virgin Blue Domestic Flight Schedule

Queensland Railways

• Proserpine (26km inland of Airlie Beach) is the rail link to the Whitsundays and Queensland Rail operate regular services.
  Ph: (13 22 32)

Tilt Train

• The new high-speed train will services the Whitsunday region three times a week in a north and south-bound direction
  Ph: (13 22 32)

Click on the links shown below to access timetables and information about Queensland rail travel:

Queensland Rail Schedules

Coach

Leading coach companies operate multiple daily services between most major cities and Airlie Beach. Shute Harbour is the port for the Whitsunday Islands which are accessed by Fantasea Cruises ferries.

Use the links provided below to access coach timetables:

Greyhound Australia Coaches Schedule

Premier Motor Service Coaches Schedule

Road

The Bruce Hwy passes through the Whitsundays at Proserpine (26km from Airlie Beach). Follow the signs.

Arrivals

Via Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island:
Fantasea Cruises (07 4946 5111) meet all flights for ferry services to Shute Harbour on the Whitsunday mainland. Buses meet the ferry to transfer you to Airlie Beach (about 10 minutes - 11 kilometers). Taxis are also available.

Use the link below to access Fantasea Cruises' Ferry timetable:

Fantasea Ferry Timetable

Via Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine – 40km from Airlie Beach (approx. 30mins):

Coaches & taxi’s meet all flights -
Whitsunday Transit (Buses)Ph: 07 49461800.
Whitsunday Taxi’s Ph: 131 008........
Whitsunday Shuttle Service Ph: 07 49461515.
Airlie Beach Limousines Ph: 07 49467743

Scuba Diving in Australia

When planning your scuba diving in australia holiday, we can be of assistance wherever you decide to dive.