Hill Inlet

The Basics

The views over Hill Inlet are best from up high, so you can see the meeting of sand and sea from a distance. Some travelers opt for airplane or helicopter rides over the inlet, but great views are also available from a lookout on Tongue Point, a short and fairly easy uphill walk through rain forest. You can also swim and paddle in the waters of Whitehaven Beach (but heed warnings about stinging jellyfish).

Things to Know Before You Go

• The seas of tropical northern Queensland aren’t safe to swim in year-round. Deadly jellyfish can be present at any time, but October through May are especially dangerous. Stick to net-protected areas, and follow local advice and signs.

• The only way to stay overnight at Whitehaven Beach is to sleep on a boat moored offshore or camp at a basic national park site. Campers must be totally self-sufficient and take waste out with them.

• Whitehaven Beach has no commercial facilities, so take your own lunch (or find out whether your tour operator provides it).

How to Get There

Unless you have your own boat, a yacht, ferry, or motorboat tour of the Whitsunday Islands is the best way to reach Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach. Not all tours stop at Whitehaven Beach or include time at the Tongue Point lookout, though, so verify before booking.

When to Get There

For ideal views, visit Hill Inlet when the tide is low, or on its way out. The timing of tides changes daily, so check local conditions, or confirm with your tour company that you’ll be going during low tide.

View Heart Reef

Another nearby attraction best seen from the air is Heart Reef—which, as the name suggests, is indeed shaped like a heart. Scenic flights over the reef often include Hill Inlet, too. Note that you can’t snorkel or dive on the reef, as it’s in a protected area.