Many chefs and restaurateurs are working hard to put Whitsundays on the map for high-quality culinary experiences. I can attest that they are succeeding. The islands have a strong boating and fishing culture and that often shines through in the dishes they serve. The freshest fish you’ve ever had awaits you in Whitsunday, Australia.

Unassuming snack shacks hidden off the beaten path will surprise you with simple, delicious meals. Fancy restaurants aim to impress as they transform local ingredients into tasty expressions of hospitality. Whitsundays is also full of high-class resorts and hotels that serve top-notch food and drinks.

The local fishermen take care to respect the waters and the life inside them. They also do their best to get the best fish on your plate every time.

Best Restaurants to Try at Whitsunday Islands

Northerlies

This place is also connected to a lovely resort that you can stay at while on Airlie Beach. The menu has great variety but isn’t too big. Everything they do, they do it well. Everything from southern fried chicken burgers to octopus salad. And you won’t have to worry about picky eaters as their kids’ menu is available at all times. You’ll have to make a reservation to enjoy Northerlies cuisine.

Meraki Cafe

With a great view of the water from the restaurant, you can enjoy original creations at this beachfront cafe. Go for brunch and get a croissant sandwich and a blended coffee drink. For lunch try a platter of sliders and crispy spring rolls. This place is great for feeding a group of hungry beach bums.

Birds Fish Bar

While you can go out and catch your own dinner if you’d like, let the pros show you how it’s done first. Located at Bowen Fisherman Seafood company, this fish bar is a takeaway fish and chips joint you must try. All the fish they serve is local, wild-caught, and cooked fresh to order. Order online or call ahead to make sure you get some of the best fish and chips you’ve had.

Le Sorelle the Sisters Coffee House

This business is a family affair, and you can definitely taste the love and hard work that goes into the delicious food. They serve breakfast all day so you can enjoy croissants, French toast, and bacon and egg wrap any time. Don’t miss out on their burger bar for lunch where they serve fresh, local beef burgers on toasted buns. Their wide selection of fresh fruit smoothies is the perfect way to finish a meal here.

Whitsunday Gold Coffee

Coffee lovers rejoice! This cafe and restaurant is the perfect place for those of us who can’t function without a few cups of coffee in the morning. They roast and ground their coffee fresh in the store. Imagine that deep aroma filling the entire cafe as you sip away at one of the most flavourful cups of coffee in your life. Coffee isn’t the only thing they do. There is also a breakfast and lunch menu where eggs benedict, avocado toast, Thai beef salad, and reef fish and chips are the star of the show.

Qualia

This restaurant is the most upscale option on the list. Get dressed to the nines and treat yourself to a luxurious experience. Qualia is located on Hamilton Island on the eastern edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The chefs take their job seriously and bring you the very best Australia has to offer. The ingredients are sourced from the best local and international ingredients. Enjoy Qualia’s offerings at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or at a tasting.

Those are just a few of the restaurants you are sure to have a good experience at. If you’re a foodie who loves to take pictures of interesting plates or just someone who loves to eat, Whitsunday Islands has you covered.

If you have a big appetite and are ready to book a trip to the Whitsundays for your next food tour, here are a few more options:

• Fat Frog Beach Cafe
• The Deck Restaurant
• Elysian Retreat
• KC’s Bar and Grill
• Fish D’vine and Rum Bar
• One Tree Hill Bar
• Bob’s Bakery
• Manta Ray
• Morano’s Italian
• Barcelona Tapas
• Mr. Bones

These restaurants are all over the Whitsunday Islands, so you’ll have to scope them out to plan your eating accordingly. Check ahead to see if a reservation is needed and always show up early. Make your way through every island and beach to take in amazing views as you feast on great food.

One thing most of these restaurants have in common is a stellar drink menu. Make sure to save room for signature cocktails, quality wine, and craft beer. You deserve to have a good time so take full advantage of pubs and bars on your food tour.

Conclusion

Often overshadowed by the incredible nature of the Whitsundays, which includes world heritage sites and serine sand beaches, the food scene is something you must explore. The seafood is as fresh as can be, usually going from the ocean to the kitchen, and on your fork. Chefs are coming up with new creations to draw the eye and put Whitsundays on the map as a destination for great food.

Queensland Australia is overflowing with beauty and intrigue. One of the best attractions in the area is the Whitsunday Islands. There are 74 islands in total and each has its unique characteristics. You can explore the islands that are inhabited.

On the islands, there are amazing hotels and resorts as well as cosier rental options. Not to mention restaurants that serve the freshest seafood you’ll ever have. People come from all over to enjoy the holiday on the beach.

Whitsundays has something for everyone. It is a UNESCO-protected site, so the land and water are kept clean and safe for the animals. This makes the Whitsundays an especially good destination for nature lovers and crystal blue water lovers alike.

You can’t leave the Whitsundays without doing these

Great Barrier Reef

Teeming with life and beautiful colours, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Truly a wonder of the modern world. You can go by boat and simply observe the reef, or you can snorkel or scuba dive near the reef to get a closer look at all the fish. You won’t be disappointed.

Day Cruise

A great way to see lots of the Whitsundays in a short amount of time is to book a day cruise. Board the boat in the morning and go around seeing different beaches all day. The cruise will take you to secluded swimming areas you can only get to by boat. Be sure to bring your snorkelling gear. Also, enjoy a freshly cooked meal for lunch while you enjoy the sunshine.

Rotary Lookout

This excursion will especially appeal to those who love a good hike. It does require a bit of exercise to get to the top, but it’s totally worth it. Enjoy a view of the Whitsundays like no other. From this lookout, you can watch the sunset over the islands and marvel at the breathtaking beauty around you. Your new Instagram profile picture awaits.

Jet Boating

For some adrenaline-pumping fun, you can give jet bloating a try. Single-person jet skis are available to rent all over the islands as well. Zip around the pristine waters making waves and splashing your friends. With a group of friends, you can all hop on a jet boat and take a wild ride around the islands.

Sailing

Take sailing lessons while on Whitsundays and learn the basics of sailing the open seas. You can also get on a sailboat and take a tour of the islands if you’d like. There is nothing like sailing on calm water, letting the wind take you along. For a different type of sailing, you can come to Whitsundays to watch the yearly sailboat races.

Kayaking

When you’re in a place like the Whitsunday Islands, you have to take every opportunity to get in the water and be close to nature. The waters are generally calm and easy to manage in a kayak. Rent it for a day, or several days, and use it as your main transportation. A great way to enjoy the water and get close to some sea turtles.

Island Hop

As we said, there are 74 islands. Out of those islands, 8 are inhabited and developed and 32 make up the Whitsunday Islands National Park. But each island has so much to offer, it won’t be easy to visit all of them. Take a few days to jump from island to island and take in the unique views from each place. At some islands you’ll want to swim, at some you’ll want to walk the beach, and at some, you’ll want to experience the nightlife. Do it all on Whitsundays.

The must-see islands and inlets:

• Thomas Island
• Nara Inlet, Hook Island
• South Mile Island
• Hayman Island
• Hamilton Island
• Hill Inlet, Whitehaven
• Shaw Island
• Lindeman Island
• Molle Island

Each one of those spots has something special to show you. Your favourite island experience will be entirely different from someone else’s. That’s the best part about visiting the Whitsundays. It has something for everyone, and each person leaves with their own unforgettable moment from the trip.

We’ll Be Waiting for You

All these must-see and must-do activities should be at the top of your to-do list when you visit. There is so much to do and see on Whitsunday Islands. You’ll just have to decide how long you want to stay and enjoy it all. One trip may not be enough to see all the things you want to see while you are here. We would be happy to welcome you again and again.

This is just the beginning. We want to welcome you to some of the most gorgeous natural beauty in the world through this blog. Maybe you’ve been before and now you’re hooked, or you are exploring the Whitsundays for the first time. Either way, we’ve got the information you need to make the most of your vacation.

This travel blog is your ultimate preview of what you can expect when traveling through Whitsundays’ 70+ islands. Don’t worry, we believe in spoiler-free previews. The best of your trip will be experienced by you and only you, we just prepare you for that magical moment.

Weekly Updates

Every week I post an article highlighting the glory of this part of Australia. There is an unending amount of beauty to explore, and I share my discoveries as they happen. The weekly blog is also a great place to learn about featured restaurants, excursions, and wildlife in the area.

The goal of weekly posts is to help you feel connected to the Whitsundays all year round. Even after your vacation is over you can keep up with the locals. Learn how they live during the rainy season, see how they protect the nature around them, and take in the unique culture of Australia.

Highlights and Shoutouts

When new hotels and swanky bars open in the Whitsundays, be the first to know. We keep an eye on all the developing land in the area and love to send vacationers to fresh spots for a good time. These posts will also unearth some secret excursions that most people don’t find. Some are hard to get to, but always worth the effort.

We also never let a good deed or outstanding service go unrecognized. When local businesses go above and beyond to preserve nature, we give them a shoutout. And when local guides and experts take their time to explain to tourists how to stay safe and respect wildlife, we let you know about it.

Monthly Chats

Every month we host a live online chat where you can ask locals any questions you have about visiting the Whitsunday Islands. Many have used this opportunity to speak directly to business owners in the area. Some have even made rental and restaurant reservations directly with the homeowner or chef.

You can also talk to me, the author of the blog. Tell me what you loved reading about, topics you want to see more of, and share your favourite experiences from the Whitsundays. You may get featured in a future post.

Who Will Enjoy Reading this Blog

Anyone who has a passion for travel and exploration. The world has so much to offer and if you’re one of those people who wants to see as much as you can, this blog is for you.

Tourists

The scariest thing about travel is the unknown. How will you get from point A to point B, what will everything cost, will everyone enjoy the trip? This blog eliminates those fears and gives you the inside scoop before you even land in Australia. Those traveling as a family will appreciate the practical advice for finding easy transportation and reasonably priced entertainment. Couples will enjoy learning the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway in the Whitsundays. No matter how you like to vacation, we have the information you need.

Locals

If you live in or near the Whitsunday Islands or are a frequent visitor, you’ll enjoy this guide as well. When you spend a lot of time in a place, you want to keep things fresh and exciting. Use this blog to help you find things you didn’t know were right around the corner. Get away from the crowds and find a secret hideaway that only locals know about. Make your home new again.

Enthusiasts

Whether you’ve been to the Whitsundays or not, you will love this blog if learning about new places is your thing. Add this blog to your reading list each week and learn about the rich culture in Australia. Find out how the Whitsunday Islands stay so clean. Discover the sea life that thrives in the great barrier reef.

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Whitsundays Best is a blog meant to share meaningful insights about a place I am in love with. Through the years, some of the best moments of my life have been on these islands. Let me help you experience the same joy and wonder as you take your next adventure in the Whitsunday Islands.