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Whitehaven, Townsville & Magnetic Island: Route Guide

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Whitehaven Beach Hill Inlet — The Whitsundays & Townsville
Photo: Hikmah Cut Ramadhana · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Start with a booked full-day vessel from Port of Airlie to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, returning to Airlie that evening. Drive north to Townsville, park the mainland car, then cross as a foot passenger to Magnetic Island and arrange local island transport. Marine excursions remain weather-dependent; Yongala diving is optional and qualification-dependent.

Whitehaven, Townsville & Magnetic Island is a 310 km one-way journey (mixed transport). It works best as 4–6 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for August, built from 122 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–6
days
310km
distance
4
Stops
122
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Airlie Beach→Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach→ 310 kmTownsville↳ 20 kmMagnetic Island

What you'll see

Whitehaven Beach
You will see brilliant white sand stretching for kilometers under clear blue skies.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Castle Hill
Take in sweeping views east to Magnetic Island and west to the suburbs from this central city hill.
Townsville
Forts Walk
Follow the two-hour Forts Walk to World War II remains and broad island viewpoints.
Magnetic Island
Whitsunday Island
You will see the expansive Whitehaven Beach and rugged coastal landscapes from boat trips.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Balgal Beach
Relax on clean white sand and visit a patrolled stinger net at this scenic beach community.
Townsville
Hook Island
You will see dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations shaped like fingers jutting from the sea.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Museum of Tropical Queensland
Discover artefacts from HMS Pandora and exhibits of tropical Queensland's wildlife at this engaging museum.
Townsville
Daydream Island
You will see peaceful pathways linking cozy resort areas to family-friendly activity zones.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach

Choose your length

4-day plan15 stops · 21.2 h transit3.8 stops/day · 5.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan20 stops · 21.9 h transit4 stops/day · 4.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan24 stops · 22.5 h transit4 stops/day · 3.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, July, August, September

Supported product window. Reserve the weather-dependent full-day Whitehaven and Hill Inlet excursion from Port of Airlie, then drive north, park in Townsville and continue as a foot passenger to Magnetic Island with separately arranged local transport.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →