Park geography

Analyzing the regional location, territorial span, and natural landscape features

Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland

This geographic profile details the physical scope and territorial configuration of Whitsunday Islands National Park in Queensland, Australia. The analysis covers the recorded boundary area of 170 square kilometers, regional positioning, and diverse terrain features including islands, coastal dunes, and elevated peaks located within the park boundary.

Related tags

Island national parkTropical islandsGreat Barrier ReefWhite sand beachesMarine protected area

View park overview

Tropical island archipelago with world-famous white sand beaches and Great Barrier Reef marine ecosystems

Whitsunday Islands National Park

Whitsunday Islands National Park protects a stunning archipelago of 74 islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia, roughly 920 kilometres northwest of Brisbane. The park encompasses Whitsunday Island and 31 additional named islands, set within the waters of the Coral Sea and bordered by the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. These islands represent one of Australia's most iconic tropical island landscapes, featuring dramatic headlands, secluded bays, and some of the nation's most celebrated beaches. The park lies within the traditional sea country of the Ngaro, Gia, and Juru Aboriginal peoples, whose cultural connections to these islands and surrounding waters extend back thousands of years. The archipelago sits midway along the Queensland coast, forming a natural gateway to the Great Barrier Reef marine environment. The islands range from small rocky outcrops to larger landmasses with significant topographic variation, supporting diverse coastal and dry forest ecosystems. Surrounding coral reef systems, seagrass meadows, and deep water channels create a rich marine mosaic that supports abundant marine life. The park's island setting creates a distinctive blend of terrestrial and marine protected values, making it one of Queensland's most visited national park destinations. Whitsunday Islands National Park was established in 1944, making it one of Queensland's older national park designations. The park is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, with access primarily via private or commercial vessel from the mainland townships of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. The park's combination of accessible island landscapes, exceptional beach quality, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef has established it as a cornerstone destination within Australia's protected area network.

Location: Australia
Park type: National park
Established: 1944
Area: 170 km²

Whitsunday Islands National Park Atlas

Location overview

Island and coastal protection status within Queensland, Australia

Geographic Location of Whitsunday Islands National Park

Whitsunday Islands National Park is situated within the state of Queensland in Australia. Registered entirely as a coastal and island park, the protected area maintains no transboundary borders.

Countries: Australia
Regions: Queensland
Primary location: Queensland
Geographic setting: Coastal · Island

Boundary and coordinates

Mapped spatial outline and calculated boundary measurements

Whitsunday Islands National Park Boundary Map and Area Geography

Interactive boundary geometry provides spatial context for the protected area and its surroundings. Derived measurements outline the total recorded extent, geographic span, and coordinate limits across the terrain.

Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Boundary area: 174.2 km²
Boundary perimeter: 356.1 km
Northernmost point: 20.0582° S
Southernmost point: 20.3608° S
Easternmost point: 149.1846° E
Westernmost point: 148.8707° E
Geographic centre: 20.2164° S, 148.9699° E
North–south span: 33.5 km
East–west span: 32.8 km

Whitsunday Islands National Park

Terrain and natural features

Twenty capes, viewpoints, peaks, beaches, and wetlands within

Whitsunday Islands National Park terrain and coastal features

Whitsunday Islands National Park has lowland relief and twenty features, all recorded within. Capes and viewpoints lead the set, joined by peaks, beaches, and wetland; Butterfly Creek is stored as a viewpoint and Hayman Island Reef as a wetland.

Selected named natural features

Capes

Ian Point

Capes

Craig Point

Peaks

Hook Peak

459 m

Viewpoints

Whitsunday Craig Lookout

Viewpoints

Solway Passage

Viewpoints

South Whitehaven Beach Lookout

Whitsunday Islands National Park Features

Environmental setting

Subtropical coastal relief, marine water dominance, and seasonal island terrain

Whitsunday Islands National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting

Recorded classifications group islands, coastal beaches, and marine water features into complementary environmental settings. Each category links physical terrain records directly to broader atlas destinations.

Relief: Lowland
Climate: Subtropical
Water: Water-dominated
Seasonality: Seasonal

Landscape features

Islands · Beach · Coast · Dunes · Reefs

Habitat types

Coastal habitat · Marine habitat

Park atlas

Compare coastal, island, and marine protected landscapes across the Queensland region

Discover National Parks and Protected Areas Near Whitsunday Islands National Park

After exploring Whitsunday Islands National Park, browse other protected areas, island national parks, and marine reserves found throughout coastal Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef region. This regional view offers geographic context, allowing you to trace connected protected landscapes and compare diverse conservation efforts across similar tropical island and marine environments.

A wide watercolor illustration showing green hills in the distance, a body of shallow water with pink and green patches, and foreground vegetation including green grasses and pink coral-like structures.

Marine protected areaQueensland

Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

North

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Atlas and Geographic Context for Queensland Protected Waters

Exploring the reef system and marine conservation zones in northeastern Australia

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park stands as an internationally significant marine protected area. By spanning a massive stretch of the Queensland coast, this protected landscape provides a critical framework for marine governance and reef conservation. Users can examine the unique zoning and distribution of coral reef habitats that define this extensive tropical ecosystem.

Area: 343,966 km²
Established: 1975
Climate: Tropical
Scope: Marine

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Atlas

National parkQueensland

4.2 km away#2 closest

Southeast

Lindeman Islands National Park: Queensland National Park Atlas and Protected Landscape

Explore mapped boundaries and regional geography within Queensland.

Lindeman Islands National Park is a designated national park offering insights into Queensland's protected natural landscapes. This page provides an atlas-style exploration of its geographic scope, mapped terrain, and role as a protected area within the northeastern Australian region. Understand its setting and unique landscape character for informed geographic discovery.

Area: 33.1 km²
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Tropical

Lindeman Islands National Park protected area atlas

National parkQueensland

5.4 km away#3 closest

South

Molle Islands National Park: Queensland National Park Atlas and Protected Landscape Identity

Mapped boundaries and regional geographic context within northeastern Australia.

Molle Islands National Park is a designated national park located in Queensland, Australia. This dedicated atlas entry provides an understanding of its protected landscape character, focusing on its mapped geographic boundaries and its position within the regional context of northeastern Australia. Explore how this protected area contributes to the broader understanding of Queensland's natural geography and conservation lands.

Area: 18 km²
IUCN: II
Climate: Tropical
Access: Moderate access

Molle Islands National Park Protected Area

National parkQueensland

9.4 km away#4 closest

Southwest

Conway National Park: Queensland National Park Geographic Exploration and Protected Landscape

Mapped boundaries and regional natural terrain of this Australian national park.

Delve into Conway National Park, a key protected area situated in Queensland, Australia. This national park offers rich geographic discovery, allowing for detailed exploration of its mapped landscape and protected boundaries. Understand its role within the broader atlas of Australian natural regions, appreciating its specific landscape characteristics and its contribution to the regional geography of northeastern Australia.

Area: 225 km²
Established: 1938
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Conway National Park National Park Details

National parkQueensland

15 km away#5 closest

West

Gloucester Island National Park: A National Park within Queensland's Diverse Geography

Mapped protected area and natural landscape context.

Gloucester Island National Park represents a distinct protected landscape in Queensland, Australia. This entry focuses on its identity as a national park, providing atlas-level detail on its geographic scope and mapped boundaries. Understand how this protected area fits within the broader natural terrain and regional geography of northeastern Australia, offering a unique lens for map-based exploration and discovery.

Area: 29.6 km²
Established: 1994
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Gloucester Island National Park Atlas Entry

National parkQueensland

22 km away#6 closest

Southwest

Dryander National Park: Queensland's Protected Landscape and Geographic Identity

Mapped boundaries and natural terrain context in Queensland.

Delve into the protected landscape of Dryander National Park, a significant national park located in Queensland, Australia. This entry provides essential geographic context, detailing the park's boundaries and its representation within the broader regional atlas of protected areas. Understand its role as a mapped natural landscape contributing to the unique geography of Queensland, ideal for detailed exploration without travel logistics.

Area: 118.82 km²
Established: 1938
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Dryander National Park Atlas

National parkQueensland

27 km away#7 closest

Southeast

Smith Islands National Park: Queensland Coastal Protected Area Map

Discover the mapped geography and island landscapes of North Queensland.

Smith Islands National Park represents a significant protected island landscape off the coast of Queensland, Australia. This page allows for detailed exploration of its geographic features, mapped boundaries, and role as a national park within the North Queensland region's atlas of natural areas. Understand the unique character of these tropical islands and their place within Australia's network of preserved coastal environments.

Area: 18.7 km²
IUCN: II
Scope: Terrestrial

Smith Islands National Park Protected Landscape

National parkQueensland

28 km away#8 closest

South

Repulse Island National Park: Queensland's Coastal Protected Area and Mapped Geography

Explore this key national park's mapped boundaries and island landscape.

Repulse Island National Park is an important protected natural area offering unique insights into coastal island geography within Queensland's expansive conservation network. Established as a national park, it signifies a commitment to preserving representative natural landscapes. This page focuses on the mapped boundaries, regional geographic context, and the protected landscape identity of Repulse Island National Park, providing a detailed entry point for atlas-driven discovery of Australia's protected areas.

Area: 1.51 km²
Established: 1994
IUCN: II
Scope: Terrestrial

Repulse Island National Park Protected Area

MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue exploring the geographic complexity of Whitsunday Islands National Park

Delve deeper into the unique island topography, mapped terrain, and protected marine geography of Whitsunday Islands National Park. Understand its place within Queensland's broader coastal atlas and discover the intricate landscape features that define this celebrated Australian national park.

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Whitsunday Islands National Park Atlas

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