The heart of the Whitsundays has begun preparing to celebrate the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef once again, with the Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival officially launching its 2025 theme, Coral Kingdom.
With the 2026 dates set for the weekend extending from the 1st to the 3rd of August, the shores of Airlie Beach will transform into a vibrant underwater fantasy, full of colour, culture and community spirit, however, this year, there's more at stake than ever before.
After nearly facing closure in 2024 due to critical funding shortfalls, festival organisers are calling on locals and businesses to help keep this cherished event alive. A new initiative titled the “Your Reef Festival” is now underway, to encourage community involvement and support to secure the future of the Whitsundays’ signature event.
“2024 presented our dedicated committee with unprecedented hurdles, including a lack of crucial government marketing funding and key committee member losses and we're now reaching out to our community to safeguard this iconic event,” explains Committee Chair, Margie Murphy.
“The 2025 festival is truly ‘Your Reef Festival’ as it's about fostering shared ownership, celebrating our unique connection to the reef, and ensuring this 'gift' to the world continues - it’s a gift – not a given – that our little community holds the global title as the world’s only Great Barrier Reef Festival and we need everyone to rally together to protect it.”
Presented by naming sponsor Cruise Whitsundays, the festival is a weekend favourite among locals and visitors alike, featuring family fun, live music, fireworks, a colourful street parade and more.
“The Great Barrier Reef Festival is more than a celebration - it’s a heartfelt tribute to the extraordinary place we call home,” Cruise Whitsundays General Manager Renee Buhagier said.
“The Festival encapsulates the spirit of the Whitsundays and its connection to the Great Barrier Reef, bringing together locals and visitors in a vibrant fusion of culture, community, and natural wonder and at Cruise Whitsundays, we’re proud to support an event that not only showcases the beauty and magic of the reef but also reminds us all of the importance of protecting it for future generations.”
With community support, organisers hope the 2025 festival will be the most magical yet and locals can contribute in many ways from donating, volunteering, or sponsoring key events, to offering in-kind support or specialist skills.
Whether you’re a business interested in becoming a Festival Partner, someone who can donate goods or services, or just keen to lend a helping hand, there’s a role for everyone and volunteers with experience in marketing, social media, logistics, or event coordination are especially encouraged to get involved.
To learn more, visit: greatbarrierreeffestival.com.au, email info@greatbarrierreeffestival.com.au, or follow the festival on social media.
Heather Batrick, Renee Buhagiar, Jessica McDiarmid, and Margie Murphy are gearing up to stage a wonderful 2026 Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival (Photo Supplied)
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