Top things to do in The Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach is worth a visit just to see its dazzling bright white silica sand. Photo / Thinkstock

Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland's beaches. Today we hear from writer Lee Mylne.

SEE

Best beach? Whitehaven Beach - you'll need to take a boat or a seaplane to get there, but it's worth it for the dazzling bright white silica sand.

Best walk? For serious trampers, the 27km circuit through Conway National Park on the Whitsunday Coast can provide a different perspective, away from the beaches and islands. Shorter bushwalks are available on almost all the islands.

Best adventure? Go outrigger sailing to explore the islands of Shute Harbour.

Best view? Hill Inlet lookout over Whitehaven Beach and the world-famous swirling sands of Hill Inlet.

When Kiwis visit, they love ... island life and bareboat sailing around the islands.

Best kept secret? Locals love to head to Hydeaway Bay, a stunning secluded beach on the Whitsunday Coast, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon with family or friends.

Famous for? The 74 islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Most of them are uninhabited but if you're sailing, you can go ashore at many of them.

Best water activity? Snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Best place to swim? In summer, definitely in the lagoon at Airlie Beach or your hotel pool.

TASTE

Best coffee spot? The plantation café at Whitsunday Gold Coffee, on the Bruce Highway just north of Proserpine. It's a good stop on the way to Airlie Beach from the airport.

Best spot to get an ice cream? The ice cream parlour on Hamilton Island's shopping strip.

Best picnic spot? There are lots of picnic areas along the Bicentennial Boardwalk, which winds 3.7km from the Port of Airlie to Cannonvale Beach.

What's the best local produce? Fresh seafood from the surrounding reefs and Bowen mangoes (in summer).

Where should we eat? Capers restaurant, in the Airlie Beach Hotel on the esplanade, is a favourite with locals.

Looking for something special for dinner? Barcelona is Airlie Beach's hottest new dining spot, at Abell Point Marina. It has a Spanish-style tapas bar and great cocktail list.

Where to hang out when the sun goes down? The Whitsunday Sailing Club is right on the water, so you can watch the sunset. Very relaxed and laid-back.

PLAY

Best shop? Lea's Book Exchange on the foreshore at Airlie Beach. A huge range of holiday reading at very good prices.

It's worth paying for ... a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef to see the extent of it and every shade of blue/green you can imagine.

Be one of the first to ... jump on a Segway tour through the rainforest of Conway National Park.

Best sporting event to catch? Hamilton Island Race Week (August 15-22) is Australia's largest offshore keelboat regatta and the party atmosphere keeps the island buzzing all week.

STAY

Best place to rest your head? Reefsleep, the chance to be among only nine guests who stay overnight on the Hardy Reef platform after the day-trippers go home. Sleep on the upper deck in swags (there's one cabin, but then you could be anywhere) and gaze up at the stars. It's not cheap but you'll never forget it.

Highly recommended accommodation? If price is no object, luxuriate on an island at the newly-relaunched One & Only Hayman Island or at the six-star qualia on Hamilton Island.

Favourite hotel near by? Hamilton Island can't be beaten for its range of accommodation, whether you're looking for a family apartment, a couples-only retreat, or a bure near the beach.

RELAX

Best sunset view? One Tree Hill, Hamilton Island, where the resort staff set up a mobile cocktail bar in time for sunset.

Best place to be pampered? Daydream Island Rejuvenation Spa has 16 treatment rooms (some with views to die for).

Favourite spa? qualia on Hamilton Island has the best spa, but you have to be a guest (and it's not cheap).