Are you planning a trip to North Queensland in Australia, but you aren’t quite sure where to dedicate your time? If that’s the case, then you aren’t alone! With so many amazing things to see and do in this beautiful part of the world, it can be difficult to decide which destination is best for you.
In this article, we’ll aim to help you along with making your decision, though ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.
Which is better Whitsundays or Port Douglas?
Many people ask the question: “Which is better, Whitsundays or Port Douglas?” – Unfortunately, that’s a very difficult question to answer. Both destinations are spectacular in their own right so the real question is: which of the two locations are best suited to you, your tastes, and the type of experience you are looking for.
For example, The Whitsundays has some amazing beaches, beautiful accommodation, and exciting water activities. However, if you are hoping for some unique rainforest and wildlife experiences, then Port Douglas is the place to be!
In order to make life a little easier for you, we’ll give you an outline of what both destinations have to offer. That way, you can decide for yourself which of the two is best!
The Whitsunday Islands
Here are the 15 best things to do at The Whitsunday Islands:
- Catseye Beach
- Hamilton Island Marina
- Passage Peak
- Whitehaven Beach
- Whitsunday Passage
- Hamilton Island Go Kart Track
- Hamilton Island Art Gallery
- Hamilton Island Wildlife
- Hill Inlet
- Hamilton Island Race Week
- Whitsunday Islands National Park
- Daydream Island Living Reef
- Molle Islands National Park
- Basil Bay
- Hamilton Island Jet Ski Tours
- Airlie Beach
Port Douglas
Here are the 15 best things to do at Port Douglas (excluding the obvious World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef of course):
- Four Mile Beach
- Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
- Sunday Market Port Douglas
- Agincourt Reef
- St Mary’s by The Sea Chapel
- Opal Reef
- Flagstaff Hill Lookout
- Trinity Bay Lookout
- Rex Smeal Park
- Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail
- Marina Markets
- Ngarru Gallery
- Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina
- Port Douglas Court House Museum
- Mowbray National Park
Please note that these are just a handful of the experiences that you can seek out in both Port Douglas and the Whitsunday Islands. In truth, both destinations are packed full of world-class excursions.
Is Port Douglas part of the Whitsundays?
Is Port Douglas part of the Whitsundays? The short answer is no. The Whitsundays is an archipelago of 74 gorgeous tropical islands located approximately 55km off the coast of Queensland.
Port Douglas on the other hand is in the far north of Queensland some 516km away from the Whitsundays.
The good news is that getting from Port Douglas to Whitsundays is easy enough and there are plenty of different transportation options for you.
So, if you can’t decide between the two, you can divide your time between both locations instead! Starting off in Port Douglas, you then have the following options to travel to Whitsundays when you’re ready:
- Shuttle Bus
- Ferry
- Train
- Private Transfer
If you are flying into Cairns (CNS) airport (which is the most convenient and popular means of entering the region), you can enjoy a nice and easy Port Douglas Airport Shuttle service. This journey will take about an hour – and if you travel using a reputable Airport Shuttle service, you can enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned shuttle bus while you soak in some of the most wonderful views of Queensland’s surrounding countryside.
What is the best island to visit in the Whitsundays?
Should you decide to check out The Whitsunday islands – what is the best island to visit? One of the best-known destinations in the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island and is frequently voted as being the best place to visit. This is the largest island resort in the southern hemisphere and has so many amazing things to see and do – including an extensive range of high-quality facilities.
Hamilton Island is the ideal location for both families and couples alike. If you are hoping for world-class tropical beaches with the perfect blend of local amenities, then this is the place to be.
However, if you are looking to get away and enjoy some peace & quiet then there are other more laid-back islands that you may wish to check out, such as Long Island.
In truth, all of the Whitsunday islands are stunning in their own unique ways! We’d advise having a little read-up on each of them so that you can figure out which is best suited to you and yours.
Conclusion
If you were hoping for a definitive answer to which is best between Port Douglas and The Whitsunday Islands, then you are likely feeling a little frustrated right about now. In truth, both locations are just so darn amazing and it’s difficult to pick a favourite. That is entirely up to you!
As mentioned above, it is possible to visit both. There are plenty of transportation solutions available to you which will make travelling between the two relatively painless. Just make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to see, taste, and try all of the things that you would like to experience!
If you are looking for the ultimate “bucket-list” adventure, then you are in for a treat.
We hope that this article has been helpful and wish you all of the best with your vacation!
