Check out all the latest news from the Whitsundays, as well as some story ideas. There's always plenty happening here in the Whitsundays and the team at Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited are always happy to help develop your story ideas, or help with new ideas.

Here are our latest top ten story ideas for July/August 2014 to get the creative juices flowing.

WHAT'S NEW

New Qantas flights to the Whitsundays
Qantas has returned to the Whitsundays, operating three weekly flights between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef Airport at Hamilton Island during peak season. After almost 10 years, the Whitsundays is excited to welcome back the premium flight alternative. Consumer demand, the re-opening of the refurbished One&Only Hayman Island and a positive trend in tourism numbers for the Whitsundays have contributed to the growth in air access for the Whitsundays. Find out more…

Introducing One&Only Hayman Island
One&Only Hayman Island, Australia's iconic private island resort in the Whitsundays is now open and ready to welcome guests. The resort officially re-opened on 1 July after an $80 million dollar refurbishment. One&Only Hayman Island provides an exclusive experience set amongst the stunning backdrop of the natural beauty of the Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Find out more…

New transport option - Heli Taxis
North Queensland Heli Taxis has recently opened up a new base at Whitsunday Airport in Airlie Beach. The team specialises in helicopter taxi services between the Whitsunday Islands, Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and other locations around the region, also offering tours to Whitehaven Beach and scenic flights over the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The bright red helicopters are a great addition to unique transport options in the Whitsundays. Find out more…

New luxury accommodation option in Airlie Beach
One Oceanview is a private residence offering luxury accommodation at its finest. Step into the luxurious home, unwind and relax whilst overlooking the beautiful Coral Sea and tropical garden. One Oceanview features four luxury suites and spacious, open-plan living and dining areas spread over 2,000 square metres on two levels. An infinity pool, formal and casual al-fresco dining areas and a big-screen cinema make this your perfect holiday home from where to explore the best of the Whitsundays. Find out more…

New chef cooks up changes on Daydream Island
Daydream Island Resort and Spa's new Executive Chef Ashley Duff is cooking up some changes at the tropical Whitsundays getaway. After spending almost a decade working on cruise ships around the world, Ashley brings a wealth of international experience to Daydream where he will be delivering a menu predominantly seafood-based complemented by tapas-style dining options.

STORY ANGLES

Whales have arrived in the Whitsundays
It's time to spot a whale whilst cruising through the waters of the Whitsundays or taking a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. From June – September, whales are a common sight frolicking amongst the Whitsunday Islands. Whether you are out on the water, the islands, or sitting in a café by the beach, keep an eye out. Even though there are no formal whale watching tours in the Whitsundays, visitors on day tours are regularly indulged by excited young calves and their mothers breaching out of the water, playing with boats and each other, or majestically gliding through the waters of the Whitsundays. Find out more…

Get your sea legs on for the Whitsundays Season of Sailing
Australia's aquatic playground is gearing up for its annual 'Sailing Season', where sails and spinnakers dominate the horizon by day, and champagne corks and good times dominate the night. The Whitsundays Season of Sailing kicks off with Vision Surveys Airlie Beach Race Week (8-15 August 2014) and the Great Whitsunday Fun Race (16 August), followed by the region's premier event, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (19 -27 August 2014), showcasing some of Australia's finest racing yachts. The season continues with the famous Shag Islet Rendezvous (28-31 August). Thousands of competitors and spectators flock to the Whitsundays each year to celebrate the events and Australia's premier sailing grounds. Find out more…

WHAT'S ON

AIRLIE BEACH RUNNING FESTIVAL – 20 JULY
It's time to lace up your running shoes for the 2014 Cruise Whitsundays Airlie Beach Running Festival. Registrations are flowing in from local, interstate and overseas competitors eager to race at this year's event. Following the huge success of the inaugural Airlie Beach Running Festival last year, event organisers are expecting record numbers. The event includes a Half Marathon, 10km and 5km challenges. Find out more…

AIRLIE BEACH RACE WEEK 8-15 AUGUST
Get your tropical shirt and sailor hat on and join into the fun and celebrations as part of the 25th Airlie Beach Race Week. Thousands of spectators cheer on the yachties as they race along the Airlie Beach foreshore during six days of competitive sailing and tropical fun. With lots of on-land entertainment and social activities, live music, family fun and a great atmosphere, the Airlie Beach Race Week will see Airlie Beach come to life. Find out more…

AUDI HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK 16-23 AUGUST
Renown as one of Australia's favourite yachting events and a firm favourite on the international sailing calendar, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week will see competitors, family and friends come together on Hamilton Island to enjoy the event. Characterised by a convivial atmosphere and unique camaraderie, the event includes fun on-water and off-water activities. Find out more…

TID BITS OF NEWS

ARRIVE IN STYLE
Airlie Limos is a new operation offering a wide range of luxurious transport services around Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. The chauffeured services are excellent for weddings, corporate tours, airport transfers and other special occasions.

DAYDREAM ISLAND'S LIVING REEF UNVEILS AMAZING HIDDEN CREATURES
New, fascinating creatures have been uncovered at Daydream Island's Living Reef. The creatures, including the Redheaded Goby, Brittle Star, Snapping Shrimp and Squat Lobster are rarely seen without close investigation and show the diversity of life in the resort's iconic lagoon system.

ABELL POINT YACHT CLUB LAUNCH NEW SUNSET SERIES
With the cruising season in the Whitsundays in full swing, prime sailing conditions will kick start the weekly sunset series at Abell Point Marina which will include a number of great social events and a range of prizes for keen sailors.

ABOUT THE WHITSUNDAYS
The 74 islands of the Whitsundays lay in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, cradled by the tropical waters of the Coral Sea, a truly remarkable icon of beauty. The Whitsundays is an invitation into a world of tropical wonder. The vibrant colours of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest provide plenty of scope for activity and adventure. Easily accessible by air or road, the Whitsundays are located on the central eastern coast of Queensland in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The area is characterised by world class resort facilities blending harmoniously with the pristine natural attributes of the area. Sail, Explore, Dive, Dine, Play, Relax, Enjoy. The opportunities are endless… which is why there is no better place to take a well-deserved holiday than the Whitsundays.

ABOUT AIRLIE BEACH RACE WEEK
The Whitsunday Sailing Club is the proud host of Airlie Beach Race Week, a yachting extravaganza in the spectacular sailing paradise of the Whitsundays. Airlie Beach Race Week is a colourful sailing regatta which attracts competitors, supporters and spectators from around Australia and overseas to the sailing Mecca of the Whitsundays. The event has grown in the past 24 years to become the largest keelboat sailing regatta held on the Queensland mainland coast. With over 100 yachts competing in daily races, the event creates a spectacular sight on Pioneer Bay and assists in creating a passion for the sport of sailing for many young Australians. www.abrw.com.au 

Images: Click here to see a range of suitable images to complement the story.

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Chelsea Hauschka
Marketing Executive (Communications)
Ph: 07 4948 5917 or 0417 765 736
Email: communications@wmdl.com.au 
W: www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au 

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