Whitsunday Islands facts for kids
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 20°18′S 148°56′E / 20.300°S 148.933°E |
| Total islands | 74 |
| Major islands | Hamilton Island |
| Area | 282.82 km2 (109.20 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Queensland |
| Largest settlement | Hamilton Island (pop. 1350) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,570 |
| Pop. density | 5.551 /km2 (14.377 /sq mi) |
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands located off the central coast of Queensland, Australia. They are about 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of Brisbane. These islands are known as "continental islands" because they were once part of the mainland. The main island is Whitsunday Island, but Hamilton Island is the busiest spot. The original owners of this land are the Ngaro people and the Gia people.
The islands are part of the Whitsunday Region in Queensland. In 2009, the Whitsunday Islands were named one of Queensland's "Natural attractions." This was part of the Q150 celebrations, marking 150 years of Queensland.
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Why are they called Whitsunday Islands?
The name "Whitsunday" comes from Captain Cook. He sailed past these islands in 1770. He thought he discovered the passage on Whitsunday, a Christian holiday. This holiday is also called Pentecost and happens seven weeks after Easter.
However, Captain Cook made a small mistake. At that time, the International Date Line didn't exist. Because of this, the actual day he saw the passage was Whit Monday, not Whitsunday. Even with this small mix-up, the name stuck!
The Whitsunday Islands are part of a larger group. This bigger group was named the Cumberland Isles by Captain Cook. Today, the Whitsundays are a famous part of these islands.
Fun things to do in the Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Islands are a super popular place for tourists. Many people visit Queensland and the amazing Great Barrier Reef from here. It's one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere for yachting. About 700,000 visitors came to the islands in one year!
You can explore the islands by land and sea. The Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail lets you kayak or sail between islands. You can also enjoy short walks on South Molle Island, Hook Island, and Whitsunday Island. There are eight camping spots on these islands if you want to stay overnight.
Many islands have big resorts with lots of activities. You can also rent a yacht and explore the beautiful beaches and hidden coves. This is called "bareboating" and it's a great adventure!
Meet the Whitsunday Islands
There are 74 islands and small islets in the Whitsundays. They are divided into different groups.
Main Whitsunday Islands
Some of the most famous islands in the main group include:
- Dent Island
- Hamilton Island
- Hayman Island
- Hook Island
- Whitsunday Island, home to the stunning Whitehaven Beach
Lindeman Island Group
The most well-known island in this group is Lindeman Island.
Molle Island Group
Important islands in the Molle group are:
- Daydream Island (which used to be called West Molle Island)
- Long Island
- South Molle Island
Northern Island Group
Some islands in the Northern group are Armit, Gloucester, and Saddleback.
Images for kids
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Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island
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Hill inlet, north of Whitehaven Beach
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Panoramic view of the Whitsunday Islands
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Planton Island
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Sunset over mainland from summit of South Molle Island's Mount Jeffreys
