Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
With its sun-drenched beaches, gently swaying palms, and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Hamilton Island is widely regarded as one of the crown jewels of the Whitsundays. Nestled in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this tropical sanctuary offers an idyllic escape where barefoot luxury meets outdoor adventure, all set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a famil
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Hamilton Island boasts an exceptional variety of activities and experiences, offering something for every kind of traveller. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, nature, luxury, or culture, this tropical gem in the heart of the Whitsundays delivers unforgettable moments at every turn. Visitors can indulge in over 60 activities and tours, unwind in two luxurious day spas, dine at more than 20 restaurants and cafés, and explore the vibrant 300+ berth marina. For those craving sun-soaked
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For one thunderous afternoon, Melbourne's electrifying AC/DC tribute band, Thunderstruck, will ignite the stage at Airlie Beach Hotel this Anzac Day. Under the guidance of lead vocalist, B.J Vernal, for the last two decades, Thunderstruck has been notorious for delivering high-voltage performances, bursting with raw power and the iconic sound of Australia's legendary rock gods. AC/DC. With the talented Mike Vee also performing his popular Whispering Jack show, Friday, April 25th is shapin
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Sundays have never looked better! The Sundays, a boutique hotel on Hamilton Island, is now open for bookings and will officially welcome guests from 24 April 2025. Nestled at the serene northern end of Catseye Beach, it offers 59 sun-drenched rooms with breathtaking ocean views. A perfect blend of contemporary elegance and island charm, The Sundays invites guests to unwind, reconnect, and embrace the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Joining Hamilton Island’s luxury offerings, The Sunda
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When Melanie and Matthew Harris took over Whitsunday Vogue Interiors 18 months ago, they weren’t just buying a business — they were building on a legacy. With a shared background in the industry and a clear vision in mind, the couple set out to transform the long-standing local brand into a modern, full-service destination for flooring and window coverings. At the heart of their decision was something deeply personal — creating a strong, sustainable future for their three children, right here in
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Meet Raza Syed **General Manager, Beach Club and The Sundays ** With nearly two decades of dedicated service on Hamilton Island, General Manager of The Sundays and Beach Club, Raza Syed, brings a wealth of experience, a passion for people, and a deep love for the Whitsundays to his role. Raza’s journey in hospitality began over 25 years ago, backed by a degree in Business Hotel and Resort Management. “What inspired me to pursue a career in hospitality is my passion for working with people an
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Whitsundays will pause on April 25 to proudly honour our past and present Australian Service People, with a morning of Anzac Day commemorations, including Dawn Services and Community Marches, set to take place across the region. In Bowen, the day begins with a 5:45am Dawn Service at the Herbert Street Cenotaph, followed by a traditional Gunfire Breakfast at the Bowen RSL Sub Branch from 6:30am. Locals will then gather for a march at 8:50am from William Street, leading into the official ceremony
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After Holidaying in Airlie Beach with his wife and kids for over 14 years, Dr. Hasan Helou decided in 2021 that it was time to start living here instead. Relocating with his wife and two kids from Melbourne, where he obtained his degree from RMIT, Helou has since been working with Barefoot Medicine Whitsundays, bringing with him his wealth of experience as a chiropractor. Helou works with a broad range of clients, from young children to older adults. His treatments include dry needling, soft t
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Irrigear Whitsundays has been an integral part of the Whitsunday region for almost a decade, providing innovative irrigation and outdoor power solutions to the residents of our wonderful region. Local business owners, Sean and Lisa Dunn, took the reins of Irrigear into their capable hands in February of 2025 and have been expanding their commitment to the community ever since. With deep roots already established in the Whitsundays through their other business Dunnrite Plumbing Services, Sean an
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Irrigear Whitsundays, under the stewardship of Sean and Lisa Dunn, is the trusted source for premium outdoor power equipment in the Whitsundays, with a strong focus on Husqvarna and Gravely brands. As warranty agents for the aforementioned brands they offer unmatched support ensuring reliable and timely maintenance for their products, making certain their customers invest in tools they can rely on. Serving Whitsunday homeowners, farmers and businesses their inventory includes ride-on mowers, pus
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Irrigear Whitsundays excels in keeping outdoor power equipment in tip-top shape with masterful and swift servicing and repair. Their team of highly experienced, first-rate mechanics, Cody and John, tackle tasks such as repair and service of every model outdoor power equipment. Be it a pump, pressure washer, mower, generator, or sharpening your chainsaw's chain, John and Cody will handle any issue with precision care. From routine maintenance to complex repairs, whether on the land, in the garde
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The Whitsundays' most dazzling night returns on July 26 at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, as the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball raises vital funds for three essential local charities. This black-tie, mask-themed gala will support BMA CQ Rescue, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, and the Bowen Community Centre—organisations that provide life-saving and life-changing services across the region. With live entertainment, a gourmet dinner, open bar, charity auction, and a fireworks finale, it’s a
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Weddings Whitsundays is pleased to announce their merger into the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This strategic move aims to enhance business support services for the Whitsundays wedding industry and further promote the region as Australia’s lead wedding destination. Member-based organisation Weddings Whitsundays has been instrumental in promoting local wedding service providers to couples planning their weddings in the Whitsundays. The organisation has also collaborated with Tou
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With the 2025 federal election fast approaching, political parties are in full campaign mode—delivering promises, slogans and soundbites at every turn. For many voters, it can be difficult to make sense of it all. In response, the Whitsunday Conservation Council is hosting a community forum tonight, Thursday April 17, to help locals better understand where the major parties stand on the issues that matter most. The evening aims to be informative, engaging and a bit of fun—offering a relaxed sp
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Driving up and down the coast, candidate signs are hard to miss. Their point is to get voters to remember them come polling day. However, a successful election campaign can’t just rely on name recognition. Candidates need to be out and about sharing their visions and what they can do for the electorate. This week Dawson candidates gathered at a Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce event in a ‘meet the people forum’. Events like this, and there will be more, are important in giving all candidates a vo
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Saturday April 19, 2025 is a special day for St Catherine’s School as it marks one hundred years of Catholic Education in Proserpine. The original school and Convent were built side by side in Marathon Street by Mr J J Riley. The school was a long, single room of timber with verandahs. Electricity was not connected until the early 1930s. Called Our Lady’s Convent School, the school offered tuition in a large range of subjects.The official opening began with a large crowd gathering in the church
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Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. has successfully released Betty, a sub-adult green sea turtle who was rescued while floating near Coral Sea Marina on Friday, 28 February. After several weeks of rehabilitation at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre, Betty has returned to her natural habitat and is now swimming freely through the pristine waters of the Whitsundays. Her return to the ocean was made even more special with a heartfelt farewell, as she swam off into the sunshine to the sound of an original
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One of the Whitsundays’ most iconic events, the White on Whitehaven Long Lunch, is set to return to Whitehaven Beach in 2025 with two exclusive dates: September 12 and 13. Known for its unique blend of elegance, premium dining and live entertainment, the event transforms the world-famous shoreline into an oceanfront pop-up restaurant—complete with white marquees, Champagne, and seafood feasts. Guests begin their day with a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands before stepping onto the s
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As Mayor of the Whitsundays, I see firsthand the vital role local councils play in keeping our communities functioning and thriving, and I also see the mounting pressure we face to deliver more with less. Put simply, the current Federal funding model for local governments is broken. It hasn’t been properly updated since the mid-1970s, and while the Federal Government’s capacity to fund councils has increased through growing taxation revenue, its share of funding to us has continued to shrink.
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Over the last three years the price of everything has gone up. Inflation and interest rates have been high and remained high. People across Dawson have less in their pocket and getting by is harder than ever. Australian’s are experiencing the sharpest decline in living standards in decades, with the current drop in disposable income the worst on record. As the Federal member for Dawson, I know how tough people right across our region are finding things right now. After three years, Labor’s rec
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Hi Everyone, Happy Easter! I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to the long weekend and the chance to relax and catch up with friends. This past weekend was a special one for me. As some of you will know, I’ve been spending my spare time over the past few months helping care for a sea turtle named Betty. She came into the care of Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. after suffering from float syndrome and a boat strike that left a serious wound on her shell. During her time in our care
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Who doesn’t love a Soda? This sweet 3-month-old pup was heartbreakingly found dumped at the Bowen tip, but you’d never guess it from his happy, playful nature. Soda is full of love and can’t wait to share it with his forever family. Soda is a Bull Arab X, medium to large in size, and great with both kids and other dogs. He’s a snuggly soul who adores naps and is doing wonderfully with his toilet training. While he’s mostly a gentle boy, Soda has a little watchdog spirit—he’ll let you know if s
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Despite the challenges of a particularly wet year, there is exciting news for members and visitors alike. The long-awaited cover installation is scheduled for next month, a major step forward for the club. The Airlie Beach Bowls Club are grateful for everyone's patience during this time and look forward to sharing further details soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the club. Saturday saw the Men's A Pairs tournament get underway, with six games played in the morning and
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Last week, the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club presented Tora Delac and Coach Mark with a special national shirt and jacket and wished Tora all the best at the Australian Age Swimming Championships. Over the weekend, Tora completed some pre-race swim sessions to prepare for her races on Monday and Tuesday at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Chandler. Tora will be competing against with the best swimmers in Australia in the 14 years 50m Breaststroke and 14 years 50m Freestyle. Good Luck, Tora! Mean
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There was plenty of great competition played this week, with some exciting results across all events. On Tuesday, Sue Shearing and Robyn Stitt defeated Ron and Maureen Hyde, while Neil Chittenden and Mark Drummond claimed a win over Stumpy Adams and Laurie Land. The elusive jackpot, which continues to grow, once again did not go off. Saturday saw a thrilling semi-final of the Ladies’ Triples, with end-for-end play providing a fantastic spectacle. Teresa Willshire, Denise Wallace and Penny Warr
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