Hook Island

The Whitsundays


The 53-sq-km Hook Island, the second-largest island in the Whitsunday group, is predominantly national-park territory, its highest point being Hook Peak (450m). There are a number of good beaches dotted around the island, and some decent diving and snorkelling locations, such as Manta Ray Bay and Butterfly Bay, though visibility is changeable. There are three basic camping grounds at Maureen's Cove, Steen’s Beach, Curlew Beach and Crayfish Beach; Curlew Beach is the prettiest location, but the other three are shadier.

Buy camping permits (adult/family per night $6.55/26) online from Queensland Parks & Wildlife. Scamper carries passengers from Shute Harbour to the camping grounds (return per person $160).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Whitsundays attractions

1. Butterfly Bay

0.77 MILES

On the northern side of Hook Island is this protected bay, which flutters with butterfly song each winter. Popular with discerning bareboat-charter-goers,…

2. Hayman Island

3.53 MILES

The most northerly of the Whitsunday group, little Hayman is just 4 sq km in area and rises to 250m above sea level. It has forested hills, valleys and…

3. Whitsunday Island

13.55 MILES

The largest of the paradisaical group to which it gives its name, Whitsunday Island is ruggedly forested, and surrounded by clear teal waters and coral…

4. Daydream Island

15.17 MILES

The rainforest-cloaked, reef-fringed Daydream Island is only 1km long and 200m wide, and very popular with day visitors due to its accessibility. Much of…

5. South Molle Island

15.32 MILES

The largest of the Molle Islands group, South Molle is virtually joined to its reef-fringed siblings, Mid and North Molle Islands. The island is mostly…

6. Whitehaven Beach

15.65 MILES

One of of Australia's most photogenic and hyped beaches, Whitehaven is a pristine 4.3 mile-long (7km) stretch of blinding sand (at 98% pure silica, some…

7. Conway National Park

17.25 MILES

This serene national park encompasses the Conway Peninsula, once the hunting grounds of the Giru Dala and still home to large swaths of lowland tropical…

8. Armit Island

18.87 MILES

Little-visited Armit, in the northern Whitsundays, boasts fringing reef, secluded anchorage, nesting birds from October to March, and a peaceful, facility…