History

The Whitsundays were originally formed by volcanic action. However, after the last glacial period (30 to 50 000 years ago) the sea level rose, leaving the higher coastal peaks as islands.

The Ngaro were original inhabitants of the Whitsunday Islands and the coast of the adjacent mainland. They are among the earliest recorded Aborigines groups in Australia. Often called the 'Island People' their territory expanded north - south along the island chain. In their occupation as maritime hunters and gatherers, the Ngaro became well known as skilled navigators.

The first documented European to sight the Airlie Beach mainland was Captain James Cook in 1770, as he sailed through the Whitsunday Islands. He named the main waterway among the islands the 'Whitsunday's passage', in honour of the Christian Festival on the day of its discovery. Captain Cook sailed through the Whitsunday Passage past South Molle, Daydream and the Airlie Beach mainland to the west and Dent, Whitsunday, Hayman and Hook Islands to the east. It is only later on that the region took the name of Whitsundays.

During the mid 1800's the Whitsunday Group started to attract the attention of the pioneers of the mainland coast, and in the 1880's, grazing leases were granted for the islands.

On the mainland as well as on the islands, the first settlers encountered some problems and violent confrontations with the indigenous community.

From 1904 a farming community settled on the southern side of Shute Harbour Road and other small communities started arising at Horseshoe Bay and Jubilee Pocket in around 1936.

In 1920s, 'dreamers' built galvanised iron huts for guests, signing the beginning of a long tourism story. Cruise ship passengers rowed ashore for tropical fruits, tea and scones. The first day trippers from the mainland were the Prosperpine residents, arriving on the island aboard the weekly mail boat. And in the 1930’s, the first resort opened.

In January 1936, the first land sales of the mainland, locally known as Airlie Beach, were held. But it is only on the 14th of August, 1959, after heavy protests from the 83 residents, did the town officially become known as ‘Airlie Beach’.

In 1962, the islands became more accessible when the road from Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour and the jetty were completed. Since then, the Whitsundays has become one of the world’s most desirable destinations with its 74 idyllic islands surrounded by the magical Great Barrier Reef. More than 650,000 visitors flock to the region each year, which supports a vibrant tourism industry. Increasingly, people from all over the world are seeking to make their home here – lured by the charms of a tropical lifestyle.

Fortunately, more than half of the Shire is national parkland. The Whitsundays will continue to grow – although it can be hoped that the Whitsundays stay a protected area and resist against over-development.