How to Escape

The Whitsunday Islands are situated at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on the tropical north-east coast of Australia.

The Whitsundays are approximately 1,100 kilometres north of Brisbane and 700 kilometres south of Cairns at Latitude 20 south.

View our Islands and Anchorages page...

To view additional maps, visit our links page.

Escape by air

Whitsunday Escape's charter base is located at Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday mainland coast. The Airport closest to Abel Point Marina is Whitsunday Coast Airport (also known as Proserpine Airport). This is 25 minutes by taxi or bus from Airlie Beach. Alternatively, Hamilton Island also has an Airport.

A ferry from Hamilton Island to Shute Harbour takes about an hour, followed by a 15 minute taxi or bus trip to reach our marina. We can arrange for your boat to meet you at Hamilton Island. Flights into Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and Hamilton Island are available from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with Jet Star and Virgin Blue. Mackay airport could be considered as Tiger Airlines is now providing direct flights from Melbourne; however it is about 2 hours drive by car. Information on Bus transfers, taxi and Ferry costs is on our Info...info.. page

All major bus companies service Airlie Beach. Train service is available to Proserpine with connecting travel to Airlie Beach (20 minutes). There is a public car park at the marina, or under cover, security parking can be arranged.

Starting Your Charter

Your charter commences at noon on the first day and you will need to be off the boat by 1100 AM on your last day. If you return the boat to Hamilton Island or a resort you will need to be off the boat by 10:00 AM. In order to maximize your time on the water, Whitsunday Escape can usually offer an early start. This will allow you to board your vessel and commence your briefing as early as 8 AM.

We recommend that you arrive the day before your charter commences and overnight in Airlie Beach. This will give you time to unwind from your travels and explore the area.

Airlie Beach offers a full range of accommodation and we can assist you with your plans. During the cooler months, from April until October, you may have the option of staying onboard your yacht at the marina night before your charter commences. This will give you more time to load the boat, do your shopping and familiarise yourself with your vessel before your briefing.

A Number of topics of interest are covered on our info... info... page.