How much does it cost to travel to Whitsundays?
You should plan to spend around $132 (AU$203) per day on your vacation in Whitsundays. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $30 (AU$46) on meals
- $55 (AU$84) on local transportation
- $137 (AU$211) on hotels
A one week trip to Whitsundays for two people costs, on average, $1,845 (AU$2,844). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Whitsundays has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Whitsundays expensive to visit?
Prices in Whitsundays are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Whitsundays is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Brisbane or Canberra.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Whitsundays Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Whitsundays?
The average Whitsundays trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Whitsundays travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
AU$211
($137)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
AU$84
($55)
|
|
Food 2
|
AU$46
($30)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
AU$38
($25)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
AU$9 -
28
($6 - 18)
|
Accommodation Budget in Whitsundays
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Whitsundays is $69 (AU$106). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Whitsundays is $137 (AU$211). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Whitsundays? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Whitsundays
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Whitsundays is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $55 (AU$84) per person, per day, on local transportation in Whitsundays.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$55
AU$84
How much does it cost to go to Whitsundays? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Whitsundays will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Whitsundays
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Whitsundays can vary, the average cost of food in Whitsundays is $30 (AU$46) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Whitsundays should cost around $12 (AU$18) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Whitsundays is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$30
AU$46
Entertainment Budget in Whitsundays
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Whitsundays typically cost an average of $25 (AU$38) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$25
AU$38
Alcohol Budget in Whitsundays
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 (AU$19) on alcoholic beverages in Whitsundays per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
AU$19
Whitsundays On a Budget
Kayaking at Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Islands (Tourism Whitsundays)
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the
Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the
Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
Sights
Naturally, you're most likely on the Whitsunday Islands to explore the Great Barrier Reef. However, don't miss out on the other things these islands have to offer.
Of all the above ground spots on the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach is the most iconic, of all the landmarks. The view along the 4.5-kilometer stretch of pristine beaches is absolutely magnificent. And if you think the sand here feels a little different between your toes, you're right. This sand is 98% pure silica and the combination with the crashing waves creates the perfect swimming situation.
For a chance to really feel like a local, take a walk along the
Ngaro Sea Trail and travel in the footsteps of the traditional people of the Whitsunday area. This region is full of magnificent, natural beauty and a rich cultural history. These self-guided walks take you through campsites and waterways that are easily navigable by kayak or boat. As you wander along this trail you'll see Aboriginal cave paintings, the perfect view from Hill Inlet and the amazing sands of Whitehaven Beach.
And to catch a glimpse of land animals, take a leisurely cruise thought the Proserpine River wetlands. As you coast along you'll encounter the frightening saltwater crocodiles. These "salties," are extremely dangerous, but with an experienced tour guide leading you, gives you the chance to see the dinosaur relics up close and personal.
For more information about things to see and do in the area, check out this
great itinerary for spending 4 days in the Whitsundays.
Activities
Arguably the most popular of the Whitsunday Islands is Hamilton Island. It serves as a play palace for the rich and famous with golf buggies on every paved road and white beaches full of water sports action. If you can afford it, there's plenty to do here. The high-end accommodations, restaurants and bars are may be out of your budget, but many amenities like tennis courts and minigolf are available to people visiting for the day. In front is Catseye Beach where stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, windsurfers, and catamarans are all for rent. If you'd rather stick to a little more rugged activity, take a hike on one of the many trails around the island. Passage Peak is one of the more challenging ones, for example. If you can make the final steep climb to the Hill Top Viewing Area, you won't be disappointed. The awe-inspiring view of the islands will certainly take your breath away.
It's likely that every activity you'll find in the Whitsunday Islands will revolve around the water. Snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, catamaran cruising - even plane rides tend to be seaplanes. While the Whitsunday Islands and beaches are lovely on their own, they're nothing compared to the magnificent world waiting under the sea.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World,
the Great Barrier Reef, lies just beneath the surface of these islands. You can literally spend days exploring the vibrant colors and spectacular marine life swimming among the coral. If two days just isn't enough for you, many tour guides offer "liveaborads." Your stay can last anywhere from three to seven days - maybe more if you can handle it and are willing to pay.
Food and Dining
Because the Whitsunday Islands are such a popular tourist destination, resorts offer five-star flavors with influences from all over the world. Not only do restaurants typically provide you with a filling meal, but you'll also have live music, entertainment and many feature wine bars. All of the resorts on the Whitsunday Island provide different dining experiences, so feel free to try a new one each night.
Transportation
Getting around islands is simple enough with buses and free shuttles to most destinations. Getting between the islands, however, requires the use of boats. There are several companies for hire ranging from the use of motorboats, catamarans, speedboats and sailboats.
Related
Looking for a party? Find a
hostel in Sydney,
Melbourne,
Cairns, or along the
Gold Coast.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.