A Week in the Whitsundays by Campervan: Islands, Reef and Rainforest

Quick summary: A week gives you the full Whitsundays on a campervan trip: the islands from the water and the air, a night at sea, and then the mainland’s wildlife highlights to the south. Spend the first five days based in Airlie Beach, with an overnight sail in the middle, then drive the campervan or motorhome to Cape Hillsborough for the sunrise wallabies and up into Eungella’s rainforest to look for platypus.

At a glance
Length	7 days
Base	Airlie Beach for 4 nights, plus a night at sea
Then	Cape Hillsborough and Eungella
Driving	Around 260 km from Airlie Beach to Eungella via Cape Hillsborough
Finish	Back to Airlie Beach, or south one-way
Tours	Multi-day tours, sailing tours

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Days 1 and 2: Airlie Beach and Whitehaven

Settle in on day 1, with a swim in the lagoon and a walk along the boardwalk. On day 2, take a day trip to Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout, with a snorkel stop. See the 3-day itinerary for detail.

Days 3 and 4: An overnight sail

Store the campervan and join a sailing trip for one night, anchoring in a quiet bay and snorkelling the fringing reefs of the northern islands. You’ll be back in Airlie Beach on the afternoon of day 4. See sailing the Whitsundays and browse multi-day tours.

Day 5: From the air, then a waterfall

Take a morning scenic flight over Heart Reef and the islands, then spend the afternoon at Cedar Creek Falls or on a Conway National Park walk. See scenic flights.

Day 6: South to Cape Hillsborough (around 130 km)

Drive south along the Bruce Highway, with a stop in Proserpine, and arrive at Cape Hillsborough in the afternoon. Walk the headland tracks and settle in close to the beach. See Cape Hillsborough.

Day 7: Sunrise wallabies and Eungella (around 130 km)

Walk to the beach at first light to see wallabies and kangaroos on the sand. After breakfast, drive through the Pioneer Valley and climb to Eungella, looking for platypus at Broken River at dusk. See Eungella.

How do you finish a week-long RV trip?

You have two choices. Return to Airlie Beach the next day, around 230 km, to drop off the vehicle; or continue south on a one-way hire towards Brisbane or the Gold Coast. One-way hires may have a longer minimum and a relocation fee. See Brisbane to Airlie Beach.

What should you book ahead?

The overnight sail, vehicle storage, a holiday park in Airlie Beach and a site at Cape Hillsborough. Browse sailing tours.

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Frequently Asked Questions