It's time to dust the crumbs off your sweatpants, pack your bags and embrace everything our backyard has to offer. While international borders remain restricted Australian bans are cautiously lifting, so there's never been a better time to embrace domestic travel.

Being the sixth largest country in the world Australia is full of surprises - including world-class beaches that tourists flock here to see! Did you know that if you visited one new beach in Australia each day, it would take over 27 years to see them all? Time to get exploring and discover some of the world's BEST beaches laying right here on our doorstep.

The islands...

Made up of 74 immaculate islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays is one of the most photogenic places on earth. Daydream, Hayman, Hook, South Molle, Whitsunday, Hamilton, Long and Lindeman Island are the only occupied ones, meaning over 60 are completely untouched! Time to whip out your camera and dig your feet into some of the softest sand on earth.

The Wildlife

The immaculate islands of the Whitsundays are smack bang in the middle of the World Heritage-Listed Marine Reserve that is the Great Barrier Reef, so you're guaranteed to spot abundant marine life while out at sea. Instead of watching Finding Nemo on Disney+, seek him out yourself! If you're lucky between the months of July and September you can even spot pods of whales. Calm waters make this the perfect place for humpback whales to give birth to their calves, and seeing them frolic in the endless blue ocean is an unmissable sight. Imagine sipping on a glass of wine while watching the biggest animals on earth play around you… tough life, isn't it?

Getting there...

We're sold, how do we get there? The easiest way to reach the Whitsundays is by air. The largest inhabited island of the Whitsundays - Hamilton Island - has its own airport (Great Barrier Reef Airport), to which you can fly direct from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney or Melbourne. A lot of people also base themselves in the popular seaside town of Airlie Beach on the mainland. From Airlie, you can do an inclusive day or overnight boat trips to see the best of the islands. If you're looking for a spot of luxury, chill time, or drinks on the deck, boat trips have it all. From party evenings on the Atlantic Clipper to luxurious escapes on the Getaway, there's a boat to suit every taste. You can spend days sliding down inflatable slides into the sea, and the evenings eating bbq'd seafood under the stars. The great thing about these trips is that you can make new friends onboard, perfect if you're travelling solo!

Weather Watch

The best thing about The Whitsundays is the weather. There isn’t a bad time to visit Whitsundays, the weather is almost always pleasant. But if we had to pick one month... September boasts 25-degree water, cloudless skies and the least amount of rain.

The wonderful Whitehaven

Boat trips are fun, the weather is perfect, so let’s talk about the greatest beach of all -  Whitehaven. The bright sand of Whitehaven Beach has given it a listing as one of the top five beaches in the WORLD. The near-pure silica is so fine and clear that it doesn't retain heat and reflects the sun, making it the perfect place to lay down and enjoy the tropical heat. Just remember your SPF! The fine sand is so perfect that it even squeaks under your feet, so you can make sweet music wherever you walk. What more could you want from a beach?

Where the jungle meets the coast

As well as being home to amazing reefs and beaches, the Whitsundays is home to great hikes, waterfalls, and viewpoints. As mentioned before, Airlie Beach is a great place to base yourself when checking out the Whitsundays, so if you want to check out some hiking trails, this is the place to be. From moderate walks like Cedar Creek to more challenging treks up Mt Rooper, there's a hike for every type. If you find yourself overwhelmed by options you can even hire a hiking guide or go on a guided tour. You're on holiday, why stress?

Love is in the air.... or shall we say the sea

While in the Whitsundays why not check out the infamous Heart Reef? Lying romantically in the Great Barrier Reef, the best way to see this coral formation is via a scenic flight which you can arrange from one of the (habited) islands.

Time to refuel

All this talk about swimming and hiking has us thinking about food. Thankfully there's no chance of going hungry in the Whitsundays. Think juicy local fruit and fresh seafood. Airlie beach especially is full of cute brunch spots, chic restaurants, and cheeky bars that hug the seafront.

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Picture this - you're on a boat, drink in hand, surrounded by an infinite sky and turquoise waters. Nothing on the agenda but swimming, snorkelling and working on your tan. What a life. If this sounds good, why not check out our Whitsundays packages? We've done the work, sorted the boring stuff, and put together a getaway to get you travelling - minus the stress! The Whitsundays await...

For more information about Australia, including tips on where to go, when to go, how much money to save, and what to bring, check out our Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Oz here!