The wonders of the Whitsundays are readymade for soft adventure. From my fabulous holiday roost on Hamilton Island, a myriad of alluring activity and excursion options jostled for attention. But after arriving to this blissed-out haven of tropical joy on afternoon flight, I was particularly eager to catch the sun. Tootling around to the glamourous and glossy marina, edged by enticing eateries like Manta Ray and Romano’s, I joined Explore Group’s Sunset Sail aboard a sleek and spacious catamaran. Sailing in the sheltered waters surrounding Hamilton Island, it was a very leisurely, libation-sipping affair, soaking up the gentle sea breeze as dolphins frolicked and whales breached.  

Yes, what was billed as a sunset cruise spontaneously doubled as a whale watching cruise, as an extroverted pod of humpbacks turned on an enthralling aquatic display, just 200 metres off the shoreline. Humpback Whales migrate from Antarctica to the protected, warm waters of the Whitsundays to give birth to their calves and nurse them, and hang about in this playground, between June and October. After ogling these majestic creatures slapping their fins and tails on the surface of the water, and clearing their blowholes, the solar God had a rather tough act to follow. But as more drinks and nibbles flowed, twilight duly took hold, setting sun’s mandarin glow torched the land and sky in all its gilded glory.  

Explore Group's catamaran sailing off Hamilton Island. Photo / Mike Yardley

After a great night’s sleep and awakening to a mellow yolky sunrise and three chirpy cockatoos on my balcony, I headed back to the marina for an all-day excursion with Cruise Whitsundays, delving into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The scenic cruise on their zipped us through the island chain to the outer reef and four hours of sublime aquatic play time with the magic of the reef. Our destination was Hardy Reef, 40 nautical miles away from Hamilton Island. The Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef is essentially a grand deck to take in the beguiling surroundings.  

Down below is an underwater observatory, which delivers intimate views with some of the 1500 species of fish that call the Great Barrier Reef home, along with 400 different species of living coral. There’s also a semi-submarine for guided tours. But best of all, plunge into the warm, iridescent turquoise water for a first-hand frolic with this World heritage-listed wonder, and the unrivalled carnival of tropical fish colour. The ebullient Cruise Whitsundays crew will happily kit you out with wetsuits, snorkels and tanks, whether its snorkelling or scuba diving that you’re seeking.  You can even take a guided snorkelling safari along the edge of the shelf to learn more about this remarkably precious ecosystem. For added thrill-factor, why not accentuate the entire day out with a 10 minute scenic chopper flight? Hamilton Island Air’s heli-scenic flights will give you a heart-stealing ride over the legendary “Heart Reef,” which takes its name from its unmistakable love heart shape. It’s a sight to behold and a daytrip to remember. 

Heart Reef from above, Hardy Reef. Photo / Tourism Queensland

If you’re wondering about the name Whitsundays, it was bestowed on this island group by Captain James Cook. On Sunday, 3 June 1770 (the day Whit Sunday is celebrated on the Christian calendar) he sailed his ship Endeavour through this broad expanse of islands and water which provided an unimpeded passage to the north. Subsequently, he named it ‘Whitsunday Passage.’ Initially he blanketed the island group with the name ‘Cumberland Isles’, but as time passed, those islands adjacent to the Whitsunday Passage, the archipelago of 74 sand and coral cays, became known as ‘The Whitsundays’. 

I took another watery expedition from Hamilton Island Marina with the sparkling Explore Group crew on their magnificent excursion to Whitsunday Island and the globally acclaimed Whitehaven Beach. Disembarking by tender boat at Tongue Bay, our guided excursion first entailed a bush walk to Hill Inlet lookout, on Whitsunday Island. We were introduced to numerous native plants and trees and given insights on the significant role they played in the lives of the indigenous Ngaro people over 10000 years, here.  We also admired Golden Orb Weaver spiders, spanning the size of a dinner plate. They are the females – while the males are just a tenth of their size. That’s a biological head-spinner!  

Whitehaven Beach. Photo / Supplied

From the feathery fronds of the Australian tea tree to beach hibiscus and macaranga trees, it was fascinating to learn what was brewed into tea -like drinks, used to make spears, firesticks and boomerangs, and what tried provided a resin that could be used as a natural glue. Whitsunday Island boasts some ancient cave rock art, which the oldest etchings have been established as being 8000 years old. A new Ngaro Track is currently being completed on the island, spanning 32km. It will open early next year and will offer a guided overnight camping experience with the Ngaro people. The route will traverse seasonal waterfalls, mangrove boardwalks and areas of outstanding plant diversity, built mostly with natural materials to retain the island’s rugged integrity. I’ll have to come back for that! My engaging guide George remarked that that many Ngaro islanders were recruited by Cook as outriggers to help his Endeavour crew navigate the perilous Barrier Reef.  

Our 40 minute bush walk led us to the Hill Inlet Lookout, a superlative series of viewing platforms from which we feasted our eyes on the dreamscape below. The wide-angled panorama vividly showcases the vast sweep of swirling snowy-white silica sand that makes Whitehaven Beach such a showstopper. Stretching for 7km, with all manner of twists and turns, and edged by that seductive turquoise water, it’s a wondrous beach. Pure, pristine, perfect. I do not think I have seen a white sand dusted coastline, anywhere in the world, quite as spectacular. We made our way down to the beach, kicking about in that squeaky bone-white sand, before taking a dip in the crystal clear lagoon-like water, as inquisitive estuarine sting rays flitted about. 

Mike at Whitehaven Beach. Photo / Mike Yardley

Beach-lovers from around the world swoon over Whitehaven, which is regularly ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. But among the constant procession of global visitors, one A-lister made quite a splash ten years ago. Johnny Depp aka Captain Jack descended on the Whitsundays for an on-location film shoot for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.  

You’ll recall that Depp and Amber Heard fell afoul of the authorities when they jetted into Australia with their two dogs in tow, Pistol and Boo. Shortly afterwards, they jetted off to Hamilton Island for Depp’s film shoot. George remarked that many of the island’s 1500 permanent residents dimly recall his visit, claiming he was Captain Jack on and off set, constantly drunk, dishevelled, disorderly and obnoxious. 

As we gazed down on Whitehaven Beach’s shooting location of Champagne Point, dressed up to look like a Caribbean beach, George commented that the film shoot was a dog’s breakfast. Depp, Heard and the production crew stayed for six weeks, while the actual amount of movie time shot totalled just 30 seconds. Not only did the crew lose over $1 million of camera equipment by mis-judging the incoming tide, but the entire on-location production cost a staggering $40m. Then again, the movie earned over NZ$1 billion at the box office! The Captain Jake tale was just another fun moment to add to the necklace of golden highlights from my adventures in the Whitsundays. 

Jet your way to the great playground of Sunshine State where ‘that holiday feeling’ is second nature. Whether you’re a sun-seeker, adventurer or epicurean, the Whitsundays is the perfect destination for every type of holiday, with direct 90-minute flights from Brisbane to Hamilton Island. For more holiday inspiration on the many marvels of the Sunshine State, head to queensland.com  

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week at 11.20am on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.