Menu
Geography
Whitsundays Geography

Whitsundays Geography

The Whitsunday Shire covers a total of 2686 square kilometres including the Islands. The Shire is situated between Bowen Shire and Mackay City and includes 74 islands located in the Great Barrier Reef.

The Whitsunday Islands are among the most breathtaking and safest cruising grounds in the world. The islands are located within an area of 30 x 40 nautical miles.

Due to their typical trade wind conditions they offer year round sailing. Thirty-five nautical miles to the east of the islands is The Great Barrier Reef. This wonder of the world protects them from huge ocean swells.

During the summer months the minimum temperature on average is 23.5 degrees celcius with a maximum of 32.2 degrees celcius. The winter season averages a minimum of 11.5 degrees celcius and a maximum of 22.6 degrees celcius. The average annual rainfall for the region is 1792.4 mm. The wet season - January to March - accounts for 60% of the total fall.