My family with two teenagers is planning a trip to Australia for summer 2002. We're considering staying on a Whitsunday Island for maybe two nights, but are totally confused about which one. We don't want to spend a fortune but we'd like a nice tropical island feel. (we're afraid Hamilton would be too "man made") We'd also like good snorkeling, hopefully a lot of wildlife, and water sports. Can anyone recommed a good island for all this? Or would we be better off staying on the mainland? Please help!

Joan, <BR> <BR>Have a look at: <BR> <BR>http://www.queensland-holidays.com.a...01128/main.htm <BR> <BR>Just keep scrolling down this site until you see the islands listed. Lots of linked sites here also. <BR> <BR>One island I would like to go with my kids (15&16) is Heron Island. If you'd like a small quiet island without resort style nightlife this may be worth looking at. Great for wildlife as it is a National Park. Friends have been and they had a great time. I don't know about the tropical island feel, especially as your trip will be in our winter. Sept-Oct would be better weather wise. Also need to consider when turtle hatching occurs (if interested). See: <BR> <BR>http://www.uq.edu.au/hirs/parks.htm <BR> <BR>Happy planning. <BR> <BR>

Hi Joan, <BR> <BR>Just found another site: <BR> <BR>http://www.heronisland-australia.com/

The turtles hatch in Dec (maybe Jan). I know of people who have seen it and say that it is a wonderful experience. Having said that, Heron is quite small and quieter. With teenagers, I would recommend island hopping, or if you are proficient sailors, you can hire a yacht. Hamilton is the most commercial, but nowhere near the scale of, say, Honolulu. Plenty to do here. Most islands should have a package that includes water sports. The best snorkeling is on the reef, day trips should be available no matter which resort you go to.

Joan, <BR>We stayed in June at South Molle Island and loved it. Ferry takes about 20 mins from Shute Harbour and it has a real island feel about it. If you can, get a beachfront room overlooking the bay - bliss! There was only one place open for meals when we were there and all our meals were included which made it easy. All buffet style and lots of choice. There is golf, tennis, bushwalks, catamarans, jetskis, tennis, bird feeding (loads of birds) etc and a nightly activity posted each morning, such as a movie, karaoke, games etc. We saw a snake on a bushwalk and lots of butterflies, also fruit bats but no other wildlife. <BR>I wouldn't recommend staying at Airlie Beach, it's OK but not much there. <BR>Kay

I just got back from Australia and stayed at Airlie beach for 5 days as I didn't want to be on one island. It is a party town for backpackers but very well supervised. I have two teenages and they loved the town and the internet shops. We went to Hamilton and snorkeled off the Jetcat, a fast type of boat, and went to Whitehaven beach. We also took the ferry over to Mole island for a few hours. I loved the area and the views from our villa...