The Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival wrapped its activity-packed three-day program on August 3, leaving attendees with a renewed appreciation for the Whitsundays' natural wonders.
From August 1–3, Airlie Beach came alive with thousands of locals and visitors embracing a program that continues to cement the festival as a cornerstone event for the region.
Despite a cold and soggy start on Friday night, fireworks lit up the sky just moments before rain set in. But the weather couldn’t dampen spirits, with thousands gathering on the Airlie Beach Foreshore to celebrate.
A major focus of the festival is community inclusivity, with involvement from arts organisations, environmental groups, schools, and local businesses. Reef education also featured strongly, with tourism operators and Master Reef Guides sharing their knowledge.
The Immerse art installation transformed the foreshore into an underwater wonderland, featuring recycled artworks from local and visiting artists. Indigenous language and marine life stories added further depth to the display.
Saturday’s Revvin' the Reef Car Show lined the Main Street with vintage and modern vehicles, while the Rotary Street Parade brought the community out in full force, all celebrating this year’s theme, Coral Kingdom.
The Ark Energy Family Fun Day provided hands-on reef education and entertainment for families, reinforcing the importance of protecting the reef.
Festival Chair Margie Murphy said the 2025 event marked a welcome revival after a tough 2024.
“The energy from both our community and visitors was amazing,” she said. “This festival truly embodies the spirit of our region.”
The Street Parade was an extremely popular event. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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