Whitehaven Beach is the third best beach in the world according to the massed public opinion on Trip Advisor. We took a cruise to check it out. A 7am departure from Airlie Beach meant an early start as we had to vacate our accommodation.

We cruised on the Orca  – a good omen for great day out? This was the name of the vessel in the movie Jaws that did sink when attacked by Bruce the movie shark. As it turned out the Orca was a sturdy, comfortable vessel.

The rocky headlands were clothed in hoop pine.

After a cruise across calm and slightly rough waters, we arrived at Whitehaven. The white sand is incredibly…white!

This is a national park and a walking track passes through a a range of forest types.

The track ascends a rock slab to this magnificent lookout with views back across Whitsunday Island and across to Pentecost Island.

Diamond leaved pittosporum, peanut trees and this wildflower added to the colours in the forest.

Geckos and spiders attracted to sheltered spots.

The lace monitors were common in the forest behind the beach.

The cruise down the eastern side of Whitsunday Island is spectacular.

The Orca left us at Daydream Island to get another connection back to Airlie Beach.

We did find dory and catch up with the socceroos.

Our drive to Mackay late in the day included a visit to Cape Hillsborough and a walk along the beach to Wedge Island which is accessible at low tides.

Bar shouldered doves, scrub fowl, brush turkeys, pretty faced wallabies and another smaller red wallaby were common and active late in the day.

Cape Hillsborough – a great end to a very busy day.