This is the Whitsunday Coast chapter from Lonely Planet's East Coast Australia guidebook.

Opal-jade waters and white sandy beaches fringe the stunning sub-tropical archipelago of the Whitsunday Islands. Sailing through the calm waters of the Coral Sea is simply magical, but there are so many other ways to savour the island's natural beauty.

• dive and snorkel the fringing reefs or the outer Great Barrier Reef
• maps
• sip cocktails by the pool at the luxurious tropical island resort of Hayman Island
• transport
• camp under the stars, hike nature trails and make like an island castaway in the Whitsunday Islands National Park
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Mackay & around, Pioneer Valley, Eungella, Eungella National Park, Cumberland Islands, Cape Hillsborough National Park, The Whitsundays, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Conway National Park, Long Island, Hook Island, Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island and Lindeman Island.