Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Great Barrier Reef island beaches and resorts

This selection spans the Great Barrier Reef coastline from Cairns to the Whitsundays and Mackay. Highlights include Green Island, a coral cay within a national park, and the Whitsunday Islands’ Hook Island, featuring Stonehaven Bay and Blue Pearl Bay. The list also includes mainland beach resorts and holiday parks near Mackay, such as Dolphin Heads and Blacks Beach. These locations offer access to fringing reefs, marine life, and coastal landscapes ranging from secluded wilderness bays to established holiday facilities.

Island Beaches and Resorts — Map

User:John Hill / Public domain

A

Green Island

Green Island is a marine island and locality in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia.

B

Dolphin Heads Resort

Located on the northern beaches of Mackay, this resort features views of the Whitsunday Islands and the Coral Sea.

C

Ko Huna Beach Resort

Beachfront accommodation located at Dolphin Heads, north of Mackay.

D

Hook Island Wilderness Resort

Located on the second-largest island in the Whitsunday group, this site has historically provided access to Nara Inlet and local snorkeling spots.

E

Blue Pearl Bay 1

Snorkeling and diving site on the western side of Hayman Island, known for its coral gardens and diverse fish populations.

F

Arthur Point (West)

Remote coastal area located within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area north of Yeppoon.

G

Stonehaven Bay

Large bay on the western side of Hook Island, frequently used as an overnight anchorage for vessels in the Whitsundays.

H

BIG 4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park

Beachfront caravan park situated on Mackay's longest continuous beach, offering views of the Cumberland Islands.

Other Lists

Great Barrier Reef Unmissables Coral Reef Diving & Snorkeling Viewpoints and Lighthouses