Whitsundays Showcased In Bestselling Book

Monique van Tulder’s bestselling book may have started at her kitchen bench in Shute Harbour, but today, it’s putting the Whitsundays on the national stage.

“I wrote the first draft at the kitchen bench in Shute Harbour,” said Monique.

“And now I’m on TV talking about Grown Up’s Gap Years, travel, and the region that opens my book’s first chapter.”

Monique’s tourism roots in the region stretch back to 1988, when she began her career as Marketing Assistant at Whitsunday Rent A Yacht, following in the footsteps of her mother, Connie, who brought Ray White to the area a year earlier. Her career since has spanned major hotel groups, airlines, destination marketing campaigns, and international events, including program delivery for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and brand strategy for Air New Zealand and InterContinental Hotels.

Through her current venture, Grown Up Guidebooks, Monique has built a national platform combining podcasting, travel editorial, and storytelling.

“These aren’t just trends – they’re transforming how we travel, age, and connect,” she added.

“Working with Monique to edit her book and bring it to life was a fantastic experience,” said Melinda Louise Hutchings, professional editor and owner of FIT HIIT Pilates.

“Monique has that rare blend of warmth, grounded wit, and sharp strategic insight. She’s deeply researched, genuinely connected to the region, and knows how to translate trends into action.”

For Monique, it’s a full-circle moment. “I came here as a young woman starting my career. To return now, with national visibility and a platform I’ve built, and to offer that back to the region – it feels purposeful.”

‍

Monique van Tulder’s bestselling book is now putting the Whitsundays on the national stage (Photo Supplied)

‍