Home › Journeys › Whitehaven, Townsville & Magnetic Island › 6 days
Whitehaven, Townsville & Magnetic Island: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
Last updated:
The 6-day version for August: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
6
days
310 km
distance
22.5 h
in transit
24
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~11.3 hours of daylight in August — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- 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.
- Heavy transit: day 1 (11h15) runs over 6 hours in transit. Around 7 days would keep daily travel comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
- Transit
- 11h15
- Finish
- ~18:50
- Temperature
- 16.9°C–23.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 06:45–18:00Public transportAirlie Beach → Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie BeachCruise Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Chill & Grill return excursion — reserve and reconfirm weatherCheck source
18:00
Whitehaven Beach search
You will see brilliant white sand stretching for kilometers under clear blue skies.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Day 2 Around Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
- Transit
- 0h36
- Finish
- ~10:50
- Temperature
- 16.9°C–23.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
06:45
Whitsunday Island search
You will see the expansive Whitehaven Beach and rugged coastal landscapes from boat trips.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
07:50
Hamilton Islands search
You will see bustling resort life with diverse accommodation options and vibrant amenities.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
08:55
Hook Island search
You will see dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations shaped like fingers jutting from the sea.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
10:00
Hayman Island search
You will see exclusive luxury resort grounds surrounded by pristine private beaches.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Day 3 Townsville
- Transit
- 5h22
- Finish
- ~15:35
- Temperature
- 15.1°C–25.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
Travel connections
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 06:45–06:45TransferWhitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach → Airlie BeachResume the separately arranged mainland car after the excursion has returned to Port of Airlie.Check source
- 06:45–10:45Road estimateAirlie Beach → TownsvilleCheck source
10:45
11:45
Discover artefacts from HMS Pandora and exhibits of tropical Queensland's wildlife at this engaging museum.
50 min · Townsville
13:40
14:45
Village Boulevard search
Stroll along this pedestrian spine that integrates the city with Pioneer Park along the river's edge.
50 min · Townsville
Overnight here
e.g. Holiday Inn Townsville · Aquarius on the Beach
Day 4 Around Townsville
- Transit
- 2h44
- Finish
- ~13:50
- Temperature
- 15.1°C–25.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
06:45
07:50
09:55
12:00
Queens Gardens soe-townsville.org map ↗
Stroll through Townsville's finest park with special collections of Pandanus.
50 min · Townsville · Free
open: daylight hours
12:50
Sea View Hotel Restaurant seaviewhotel.com.au map ↗
Delight in excellent seafood and steak in a scenic restaurant.
60 min · Townsville
open: Mon-Thu 10AM-midnight, Fri-Sun 10AM-1AM
Overnight here
e.g. Holiday Inn Townsville · Aquarius on the Beach
Day 5 Magnetic Island
- Transit
- 1h53
- Finish
- ~14:20
- Temperature
- 19.9°C–23.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 06:45–06:45TransferTownsvilleResume the separately arranged mainland car before parking it for the island crossing.Check source
- 06:45–07:00TransferTownsvillePark the mainland car and check in as a foot passenger for the Magnetic Island ferry.Check source
- 07:00–08:20FerryTownsville → Magnetic IslandSeaLink Magnetic Island passenger ferry — verify ferry status and public-holiday timetableCheck source
- 08:20–08:20TransferMagnetic IslandContinue from Nelly Bay with separately arranged local bus or taxi transport.Check source
08:20
Forts Walk parks.qld.gov.au map ↗
Follow the two-hour Forts Walk to World War II remains and broad island viewpoints.
120 min · Magnetic Island · Free national-park walk; local transport to Forts Junction is separate
open: 24/7
13:20
Overnight here
Day 6 Around Magnetic Island
- Transit
- 0h42
- Finish
- ~13:15
- Temperature
- 19.9°C–23.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
09:00
Providence V providencesailing.com.au
90 min · Magnetic Island · from $65
10:45
Adrenalin Dive adrenalindive.com.au
90 min · Magnetic Island
12:15
🚌 Buses & ferries for this route →
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.