Quick Details
The Ultimate Whitsunday Escape
The Whitsunday Islands are located in the protected Whitsunday Islands National Park. They are home to some absolutely fantastic walking tracks, including the Ngaro Sea Trail. Being that they aren’t connected to the mainland, the only way to access the island tracks is by boat.
The Explore Whitsundays team has combined the best of a popular Whitsundays sailing cruise with the added opportunity to explore these beautiful and remote walks.
Walk the Whitsundays is longer than a usual charter in the Whitsundays, meaning you can cover a larger area and spend plenty of time exploring the walking tracks to enjoy the views.
You will have an extra crew member with you acting as your knowledgeable walking guide and with limited passenger numbers, the tour is more personal and flexible.
The majority of our walkers are 40+, active and share a passion for adventure and the outdoors.
You will still get to visit all the places that make the Whitsunday Islands famous – Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout. No Whitsundays tour is complete without seeing these unbelievable places! You will also have plenty of opportunities to snorkel on the fringing coral formations of the Great Barrier Reef which are located in a safe anchorage around the islands.
We have limited availability for 2023, with only a few charters planned. This is because we can only do this tour during the winter months when weather conditions are most favourable. The tours are also dependent on the right tidal conditions for access to the walks.
We are very proud to offer our guests the only Walk the Whitsundays package in the region and is exclusive to Explore Whitsundays.
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DAY 1
Welcome to the Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP). Your complimentary Airport Transfers will take you to your accommodation (if arriving earlier) or direct to the marina if arriving the day of departure.
3.30 pm Cruise check-in, Please meet our team at Coral Sea Marina South, at Meeting Point ‘C’ at 3.30 pm where you will be checked in for your cruise.
4 pm depart on Solway Lass for your Sunset and Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a welcome platter and complimentary drinks during your sunset cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, before dining under the stars on the top deck. A great way to meet your fellow walkers and crew. Your first night’s anchorage will be at Cid Harbour, which is positioned perfectly in front of your first-morning walk.
DAY 2
Wake up in your cosy cabin, before making your way up to the top deck where you will enjoy breakfast surrounded by inquisitive marine life and breathtaking island scenery. After a hearty breakfast to fuel your day, we transfer over to Whitsunday Island for the Whitsunday Peak walk. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands.
After taking in the stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands we start making our way down to explore some of the surrounding beaches. Back on board to enjoy a hearty lunch as you cruise south down through Fitzalan Passage sailing past Hamilton Island Catseye Bay. We then sail around the bottom of Whitsunday Island around Turtle Bay in search of your very own private beach for sunset drinks on a beach. Back onboard for dinner under the stars and anchor in Chance Bay for the night.
DAY 3
The next day, enjoy breakfast on board with your morning coffee before being transferred to the beach. We start the day by walking the Chance Bay track which meets up with the Solway Circuit walk. They then lead to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach (you will most likely have the beach to yourselves before the day-trippers arrive). Here you will have plenty of time for beach activities including standup paddleboarding, swimming in the aqua blue waters.
Back onboard to refuel with a hearty lunch before we set sail over to Chalkies Beach on Haselwood Island for a snorkel, standup paddleboarding or enjoy a short walk to a quant lookout. Up anchor to set sail North to Tongue Bay for a short bushwalk up to world-famous Hill Inlet lookout for your Instagram worthy shots of the swirling sands. Back on board as we sail further north for overnight anchorage in Hook Passage, the perfect position for the Cairn walk in the morning.
DAY 4
Wake up and enjoy breakfast on the top deck surrounded by the Whitsunday Islands and prepare for The Whitsunday Cairn walk, a five-hour walk rewarded with stunning views of the 74 islands that the Whitsundays is famous for. Back on board for lunch before sailing over to Hook Island to a magical inlet called Nara Inlet, home to leisurely walk up to the Narago ancient sea caves where to this day you can view ancient cave paintings. Anchoring in Nara Inlet for the evening.
DAY 5
After an early breakfast, we set sail to the top of Hook Island arriving at Luncheon Bay heading over to meet George the Māori wrasse at Mantaray Bay. We arrive early before the day-trippers which allow you to have the beautiful bays to yourself. Back on board for a hot cuppa as we continue around to Langford Island for the short walk up to Langford lookout with a walk down the sandspit to look for the shovelnosed rays and big bull rays that live around there. After enjoying your last sunset with drinks and nibbles on Bali High at the northern end of Hook Island, we set off for a night sailing south to Bauer Bay on South Molle Island for overnight anchorage.
DAY 6
Wake up to your last day and enjoy breakfast on the top deck surrounded by islands. Then head ashore to South Molle Island, where you will have your last walk up to Spion Kop. This stunning track also passes an ancient Ngaro stone quarry, an area of shattered rock high on the hillside and spilling toward the sea. Before finishing at a stunning lookout that looks back at the Molle group of islands and the mainland.
The time has come to set the sails for the final time and as we head back to mainland Australia arriving back at 11 am.
The above is an example of what your trip may entail. To ensure your comfort and safety, the itinerary will change according to the tides, wind and weather conditions. Your skipper will decide the best route and places to stop, to ensure you can make the most of your time in the Whitsunday Islands.
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Your trip includes all meals and snacks throughout the duration of the trip. We use locally sourced, seasonal fruits and vegetables and our crew freshly prepare each meal for you to enjoy.
Usually served as a buffet-style, you can eat anywhere onboard. Meals are a great communal time to get to know your fellow travellers. Continental breakfasts; healthy, fresh, and hearty lunches; BBQ dinners in true ‘Aussie’ fashion, and even dessert!
Never go hungry with big servings and plenty of snacks in between. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day.
DAY 1
Afternoon Tea: Welcome Drinks, Sunset Platter – Dips and Crackers, Vegetable Crudités, Kabana, Olives, Onions, Gherkins
Dinner: Baked Parmesan Fish, Potato Bake, and Garden Salad (Vegetarian Option: Vegetarian “Fish”)
Dessert: Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)
DAY 2
Breakfast: Croissants, Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea, and Coffee
Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)
Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats & Salads and Coleslaw (Vegetarian Option: Kofta/ Falafel)
Afternoon Tea: Nachos (Vegetarian)
Dinner: Chicken Sundried Tomato Pasta (Vegetarian Option:Tofu )
Dessert: Sticky Date Pudding
DAY 3
Breakfast: Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Tea, and Coffee
Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)
Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats, Salads and Potato Salad (Vegetarian Option: Falafel/Kofta)
Afternoon Tea: Mini Quiches and Corn Fritters (Vegetarian)
Dinner: Shepherd’s Pie with Salad (Vegetarian Option: TVP Shepherds Pie)
Dessert: Cheesecake
DAY 4
Breakfast: Croissants, Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea, and Coffee
Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)
Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats & Salads, Pesto Pasta Salad (Vegetarian Option: Kofta/ Falafel)
Afternoon Tea: Bruschetta (Vegetarian)
Dinner: Green Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice (Vegetarian Option: Green Tofu Curry with Jasmine Rice)
Dessert: Chocolate Cake
DAY 5
Breakfast: Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast, Spreads, Tea, and Coffee
Morning Tea: Walking snacks provided (Fruit, Muesli Bars, Nut mix)
Lunch: Build your own wraps, rolls or sandwiches With a Selection of Cooked Meats & Salads (Vegetarian Option: Falafel/Kofta)
Afternoon Tea: Sunset platter – Dips and Crackers, Vegetable Crudités, Kabana, Olives, Onions, Gherkins
Dinner: BBQ Chicken with Mash Potato and Vegetables (Vegetarian Options: Teriyaki Tofu)
Dessert: Apple Pie with Custard
DAY 6
Breakfast: Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast and Spreads, Scrambled Eggs, Tea and Coffee
Morning Tea: Selection of Cakes, Biscuits, Tea and Coffee
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Pre & Post Tour
- Complimentary return Airport Transfers (PPP)
On Tour
- Sailing onboard a beautiful history-rich 120yr old Tall Ship Solway Lass
- 5 Nights accommodation in your airconditioned cosy cabin
- Services of local skipper and crews
- Walking guide with interpretations
- All meals and snacks onboard, filtered and chilled tap water, tea and coffee
- Linen including bath towels
- Snorkelling equipment and basic tuition
- Stinger suit
- Standup paddleboards
- National Park, Marine Park and marina levies
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Solway Lass has a fully licensed bar with alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and soft drinks sold at reasonable prices. Accounts can be paid at the end of the trip, using Cash, Visa, Mastercard, or EFTPOS. Complimentary chilled tap water, tea, and coffee are available at all times.
Please pack only what you will need for your trip in a soft-sided bag, no bigger than carry-on baggage limits for an aircraft.
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Watch our amazing live testimonial videos recorded from our guests onboard their tour:
Watch Robin’s testimonial – WATCH NOW | Watch Deb’s testimonial – WATCH NOW | Watch Pam’s testimonial – WATCH NOW
“A most fabulous adventure from beginning to end! Actually, didn’t want it to end, that’s how good it was. My husband and I are bushwalking fans and each of the walks provided was amazing and all levels of fitness were catered for. The best views are always at the top and we all fully enjoyed the perfect views on offer. We also enjoyed the snorkelling opportunities provided & we felt safe & well looked after at all times. The six crew were professional and friendly and we loved Skipper Dan’s welcome on board where he provided a detailed history of the 119-year-old star of the trip, Solway Lass. It was a privilege to have spent time on this beautiful ship. The meals, including morning & afternoon snacks, were hearty & plentiful and the service at all times was perfect. The Whitsundays are a precious part of Australia and I don’t think there is a better way to experience it. We absolutely loved our trip and highly recommend it. – Thanks again for creating a Trip of a Lifetime”
– Tina (Christine), Gold Coast
“It was all incredible. The crew were awesome – really easy to get along with and super helpful and kind and they were amazing. Kudos to them! The hiking and snorkelling was my favourite part of the trip”
– Adam, Sydney, Australia
“I loved every minute of the trip, it was totally fantastic – the crew, the food, snorkelling and the walks. It was a trip of a lifetime”
– Maria, Auckland, NZ
“It passed all my expectations. It was unbelievable. The crew were amazing. I hadn’t sailed before but found it thrilling in the high winds. LOVED IT. Stewart was such an amazing skipper I felt safe the whole time. Overall it was an amazing experience and am hoping to book again next September”
– Lynda, Brisbane, Australia
“Your ” Walk the Whitsundays” was fabulous right from the beginning to the end. The little details you thought of, like having a stroll down to Solway Lass in the sunset, meeting the owner, and the lovely welcome dinner which gave us the opportunity to talk to each other before the sailing trip was a great beginning. The trip itself was a wonderful mix of sailing, walking, snorkelling, and enjoying the ride on the boat. The crew was extremely skilled, funny, very friendly, and great support when needed. The food was delicious and always there when we were hungry. It was one of the best trips I ever have done.
A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL! “
– Barbara, Brisbane, Australia
This tour is available to do as a private charter. If you are interested in organising a private Walk the Whitsundays tour, please email: [email protected]