Fine, vivid white sands, crystal clear turquoise waters and colourful coral and fish abound in the Whitsunday Islands. Visit the 74 tropical islands scattered in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and choose from a variety of ways to encounter pristine nature. In case you are tight on time during your holiday, as is so often the case, we have narrowed the endless list of what to do in the Whitsundays to five of the best activities:
1. Experience the Great Barrier Reef
 You are in the heart of it all, so, above all else, experiencing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do and must-see in any Whitsundays holiday. Whether you snorkel or dive around it or see it on a glass-bottom boat or in an underwater chamber, the vibrant corals and abundant marine life will surely leave a lasting impression. Here are a couple of the best ways to experience the reef:
- Take a catamaran to Reefworld, the largest floating pontoon facility in Australia, situated on Hardy Reef. From Reefworld, you can tour the waters in a semi-submarine, sit in the 50-seat underwater viewing chamber, look into the Groper viewing hole, go snorkelling or go scuba diving; you can even spend the night on board the pontoon!
- Cruise on a wavepiercer to a pontoon on Knuckle Reef to experience the underwater wonderland in a variety of ways; enjoy semi-submersible rides, glass
 bottom boat rides, a giant waterslide, large viewing decks, snorkelling and views from a clear underwater chamber; optional activities such as scuba diving or a helicopter flight are also available.
2. Unwind in paradise on Whitehaven Beach
Relax at Whitehaven Beach, considered one of the world’s top ten most spectacular beaches and an icon of the Whitsundays. You will be in awe at its unspoilt natural beauty as you explore its 7 kilometres of glistening pure white natural silica sand and warm clear waters of Whitehaven Beach. Head to paradise on one of these tours:
3. Have fun on Hamilton Island
There is something for everyone on the cosmopolitan Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays. Spend a day here and choose from shopping in  boutique stores, wining and dining at its fine restaurants, relaxing poolside, or other activities, such as water sports or a round of golf!
4. See the wonders of the Whitsundays from above
Gain a whole new perspective on the stunning Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef in the air. For an unforgettable experience, get a bird’s eye view of the region on one of these flights:
5. Explore the islands’ beaches and bays by sail
Sail around the Whitsunday Islands and unwind while you take in the stunning surroundings and impressive views; choose a cruise that allows you to see many of the iconic sights in one trip, such as these tours:
 Book your Whitsundays experience here!
Experience Oz – October Hot Deals
Can’t see the images? Click here to view online
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Includes: Entry to Sea World, Movie World and Wet n Wild as many times as you like between now and 30 June 2012, plus entry to White Christmas. Hurry! Offer ends 31 October 2011. |
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Includes: Entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary plus a 2-hour Gold Coast waterways Cruise.
100% Exclusive to Experience Oz! |
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WAS $21 per person for single entry NOW $21 for 14 days of unlimited entry.
Valid to 24 December 2011. |
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Includes: Aussie BBQ Buffet including a choice of hot dishes, salads and desserts. Entrance to the Wildnight Adventure including guided walks, wildlife presentations and aboriginal culture.
Valid to 24 December 2011. |
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Includes: Hotel pick up and drop off. Return scenic air flights. Personal guide, 5 hours for you to explore the island and reef, welcome drink, glass bottom boat/snorkel tour, buffet lunch and more!
Valid to 31 March 2012.
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Includes: Entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary including shows and presentations, aboriginal culture and the Green Challenge adventure course. WAS $49 per Adult or $160 per Family NOW $31 and $99.
Valid to 24 December 2011. |
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Includes: Great Ocean Road Day Tour from 8am –7.30pm and Melbourne City from 8am – 11.45am. Melbourne City Tour can be taken within 7 days of the Great Ocean Road Adventure.
Valid to 31 December 2011. |
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Includes: approximately 2 hours snorkelling in a guided tour to see the amazing Sea Dragons, Corals, Crabs and loads more creatures under the sea. Runs most weekends (subject to availability).
Valid to 31 October 2011. |
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Buy a 2 Attraction Combo Pass and get a 3rd Attraction FREE!
Limited time only! |
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Includes: Blue Mountains Tour from 8.15am to 6pm plus a Sydney City and Bondi Beach Sightseeing Tour from 8.15 to 11.45am. WAS $210 NOW $111. Sydney City & Bondi Beach tour can be taken within 7 days of Blue Mountains Tour.
Valid to 31 December 2011. |
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Includes: Choose either a 3hr Hands on Sightseeing Sail or Twilight Sailing Friday Evenings and buy one ticket get one half price! 3hr Hands on Sail – WAS $150 per person or $300 for 2 Adults NOW $225 for 2 Adults Twilight Sailing Friday Evenings – WAS $75 per person or $150 for 2 Adults NOW $112.50. |
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Buy 2 Adults get 1 child free (various activities and options available) Starting from $220 for 2 Adults + 1 Child NOW only $160.
Valid to 31 March 2013.
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Includes: Seaplane scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands.
Valid to 16 December 2011. |
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 Two of Australia’s icons, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, are in the running to be placed among the world’s new seven natural wonders and they need votes!
New7Wonders of Nature is an initiative to compile a new list of natural wonders determined through a global poll (rather than by one person as it was done in ancient times).
In 2007, the preliminary global vote nominated over 440 locations in over 220 countries, before narrowing it the top 77. At this stage, 13 of Oz’s sites were in the running, including Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, the Twelve Apostles, Kakadu National Park, Fraser Island, Pinnacles Desert, the Australian Alps, the Blue Mountains, the Green Cauldron, the Flinders Ranges, Cradle Mountain and the Bungle Bungles.
 In 2009, based on selected criteria, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts narrowed this further to the top 28. Now for Australia, only Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef remain in the running. It is now up to the public around the world to vote for the new wonders of the world. The seven with the most votes will be announced on November 11, 2011.
While extremely beautiful, Australia’s leading sites face stiff competition such as New Zealand’s Milford Sound, the Maldives, Brazil’s Iguazu Falls, America’s Grand Canyon, South Africa’s Table Mountain and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.
The fierce competition from around the world only makes us more proud to have two of our sites in the final stage! Regardless of the results, one thing is for sure—a visit to Uluru and to the Great Barrier Reef is a must do. Add a tour around Uluru and a reef adventure to your bucket list!
Book a tour of Ayers Rock or the Reef here!
Whitsunday Tourism have just announced a 74hr sale in a bid to get southerners heading north for the winter. There are some awesome specials out there for every type of budget. Even Airfares with Virgin Blue are down to $74 departing from and accommodation from $174 per night. Book your flights and accommodation and then head to www.ExperienceOz.com.au for all the best things to do while you’re there. From Cruising the Whitsunday Islands, to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, we have it all!
With no booking fees or credit card charges, there is no better reason to book with us today. Let us help you plan your perfect Whitsunday’s escape!
In a bid to boost tourism in Queensland after recent poor weather and natural disasters, Queensland’s tourism operators are being encouraged to sign a new pledge. By agreeing to the pledge, operators promise “to give visitors the best holiday experience possible” as part of a new Tourism Queensland campaign.
The pledge encourages tourism operators, individuals and other businesses involving tourists that they will “dial up service levels, surprise visitors with unexpected thrills and smiles, and never underestimate the power of a shining Queensland moment”. With so many awesome reasons to visit Queensland, let us help you plan your next trip. Search for Great Barrier Reef Cruises, Helicopter Flights over the Gold Coast, Visit the Seals at Underwater World, Climb the Story Bridge in Brisbane, Visit the natural wonders of Fraser Island, White Water Rafting in Cairns……..the list goes on! Visit Experience Oz before your next Queensland holiday and save valuable holiday time and MONEY! We do not charge booking fees, or additional charges.
Experience Oz’s pledge:
We, the members if the tourism industry, are united in our determination to show that Nothing Beats Queensland.
Our plan is simple.
* We bill pull out all the stop to thank visitors for their support, by giving them the best holiday experieces possible.
* We will surprise and delight with random acts of joyful appreciation.
* We will turn our service level up to 11.
We will do out utmost to crate unexpected moments that give our vistas a thrill, a smile or even, blow their minds.
* We will not underestimate the power of these moments.
* As individuals, companies and organisations, we are committed to being the best ambassadors for Queensland.
* Together, we will unite to bring visitors back, and give them a reason to keep coming back.
* Our actions will be evidence that Queensland is the place where Australia – and the Australian spirit – shines.
Signed,
Experience Oz.
Go Queensland!
There is no doubt that life is tough out there at the moment. Natural disasters, poor economies, overseas disasters and unrest. It’s causing a lot of people to reconsider their normal plans such as ‘should I take that holiday or save my money for a rainy day?’
In fact, now is one of the best times to take your Australian holiday with hotels dropping their rates and attractions, theme parks, day tours and activities offering heavy discounts on their products. Which means you get more bang for your buck!
We’ve been working hard to bring you the very best deals from around Australia. Visit Experience Oz, select your region, and then select HOT DEALS. There is plenty on offer and here are a few samples to get you going.
If you’re travelling to the Gold Coast, attractions such as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, The Wheel Of Surfers Paradise & Australian Outback Spectacular are offering Adults for Children’s prices, plus for the Currumbin Wildnight Adventure purchase your full price tickets and get a FREE crocodile handling experience and souvenir photo valued at $16.95! What about the Gold Coast Hinterland? If you have never seen this hidden gem on your visit then there is no better time than now with Tamborine Mountain Tours offering free transfers to Tamborine Mountain which is a saving of 50%!
If you’re thinking more on the tropical side of things for your holiday or short break, Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays in North Queensland are sure to satisfy. Savings on reef trips, and Cruise Whitsundays‘ “Give Us A Break Sale” with savings of up to $85 per Adult (book for 2 and you’re saving over $160!) The amazing Daintree Station in Port Douglas will entrain and delight you with their Giddy Up Horse Rides & Jungle Rumble Quad Adventures PLUS book in March and receive a free Jungle Balls (Downhill Fun) ticket worth $50! Also in Port Douglas you can get below the surface for less with savings up to 20% off Outer Reef Cruises including dive gear!
Purchase tickets for the famous Australia Zoo and get FREE ‘Zoo-pons’! (In park coupons to save you some money on merchandise). Underwater World are also offering free discount coupons with their tickets. Exclusive to Experience Oz!
Sydneysiders, get out and about with the Explore4 Pass or the Unlimited Adventure Pass! The passes include single entry or unlimited entry to Oceanworld Manly, Sydney Tower, Sydney Wildlife World and Sydney Aquarium – WOW! Or cruise the Sydney Harbour on a Tall Ship midweek and save 25% per person!
With so much on offer at the moment, it’s hard not to reach for you wallet and start purchasing some amazing experiences for you and your family.
Check out the HOT DEALS section on Experience Oz today and see how much you can save!
Click below to start searching our Hot Deals!
Sydney HOT DEALS
Byron Bay HOT DEALS
Port Douglas HOT DEALS
Whitsunday HOT DEALS
Gold Coast HOT DEALS
Sunshine Coast HOT DEALS
Brisbane HOT DEALS
That’s right….we’re giving away a digital camera! After such a busy silly season, we’re sure you have plenty of funny, weird and crazy holiday photos lying around! Share it with us on our ExperienceOz Facebook wall for your chance to win a Digital Camera. Simply go to our facebook page and upload it to our wall – make sure you ‘Like’ us first.
As a BONUS, you’ll also get 5% off your next purchase. Enter Now
As you may be aware, the Great Barrier Reef has been greatly affected due to Cyclone Yasi, with moderate to sever damage to the Coral Reef and many communities around Cairns and the Whitsunday’s.
However….
The Southern Great Barrier Reef south of Gladstone (Lady Musgrave Island area) has been totally untouched and unaffected by these conditions. Those tourists who have had their plans disrupted due to the problems faced up north can still visit the SOUTHERN – Great Barrier Reef. Tourists who wish to visit the Great Barrier Reef can do so and enjoy the full benefits of the Great Barrier Reef with the following companies:
* Australian Sunset Safaris – departing from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
* Lady Musgrave Cruises – Departing the Town of 1770.
FRASER ISLAND
Fraser Island has also been untouched by the cyclone, and is business as usual. Conditions on Fraser Island are described as “Beautiful.”
Afer suffering minimal damage from the dual Cyclones Anthony an Yasi last week, and no flooding during Decemeber/January, the Whitsundays continue to operate as normal in all respects bar one – there aren’t many people here soaking up all the wonders!
Flights into Hamilton island and the Whitsundays Coast (Proserpine) Airport are operating as normal and Virgin Blue and Jetstar both have great deals available at the moment. Major local roads are open and the Bruce Highway to the south of the region is open all the way to Brisbane. Ferry services between the islands and Whitsunday coast are also operating as normal.
Tours to the Great barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and around the Whitsunday islands are all operating. There is no reason for travellers to cancel their holidays and no better reason to book a holiday than to support the region through these hard times.
This is important information for those customers travelling to Tropical North Queensland – please reconfirm all travel movements with airlines and/or tour operators before travelling to the region from Wednesday the 2nd Feb through to the 7th of Feb. Many airlines are being used to evacuate residents of the region and many tour operators have cancelled tours over the next 72 hours. Couple of sites to monitor for up to date information
http://www.couriermail.com.au/
http://www.cairns.com.au/
For any tour related updates, feel free to phone customer support on (07)55 922233.
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snorkel in the sparkling waters, take a leisurely stroll, have a game of beach volleyball or laze under the sun shelters!
