Long Island, is one of the closest islands of the Whitsunday Group of Islands, to the mainland and the scenic beauty of the Conway National Park, that it overlooks. The island is, as it is named ‘long’, being approximately 11 kilometres long, and only 1.5 kilometres wide. Long Island is approximately 5 kilometres off the coast, with access by daily shuttles from Shute Harbour, or water taxi from Hamilton Island, where there is a commercial airfield, and serviced by major airlines.
The islands in the group are all continental islands, formed approximately 10,000 years ago, when the sea level rose due to ice melt from the last ice age. The flooding of the valleys left just the tops of what were large hills, and in Long Islands case, a small ridge, which formed the island. The whole of Long Island is covered in tropical bushland and is all National Park, except the three small areas where the resorts are situated. Within the island are 20 kilometres of graded walking trails, which take you to secluded beaches, through dense rainforest, with some of the best scenic views within the Whitsunday Group. Two worthwhile walks to take are, to Sandy Bay and Humpy Point. The island’s waters are within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a World Heritage Area, and offer fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities. The waters around the Whitsundays are an important calving ground for Humpback Whales, and sightings are a regular occurrence.
In the north of the island are Palm Bay and Happy Bay, which are the nearest safe anchorages to Shute Harbour, for yachts, and the home to two of the islands resorts. The third resort is in the south of the island, at Paradise Bay, which is a small, exclusive, eco-lodge, set amongst the dense rainforest. The lodge was built in 1994, and its aim was to create Australia’s most unique and environmentally sustainable resort.
Wherever you stay on the island, you are in close proximity to enjoy the best water sports available, the best snorkelling, the best diving, the best sailing. The waters are always clear, blue and inviting!!
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