Butterfly Bay

The Whitsundays


On the northern side of Hook Island is this protected bay, which flutters with butterfly song each winter. Popular with discerning bareboat-charter-goers, who snorkel in the shallows and lob on the sand like happy beached whales.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Whitsundays attractions

1. Hook Island

0.77 MILES

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 …

2. Hayman Island

3.08 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

13.35 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

14.48 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

14.68 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

15.55 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

16.55 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

18.18 MILES

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