Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsundays

Follow the Chance Bay track to the peaceful beach at Chance Bay. Photo credit: Justin Heitman © Queensland Government

Ngaro track under construction

The Ngaro track will provide a new and exciting opportunity to hike in the Whitsundays. For safety reasons, the Ngaro track is closed to the public while the track and campsites are being constructed. Photo credit: Nah Turnbull © Queensland Government

The iconic Hill Inlet is not to be missed on a visit to Whitsunday Islands National Park. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Chance Bay track

Escape the heat and wander through some of the Whitsunday Island’s more-secluded tropical forests to beautiful Chance Bay.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
7.2km return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 3hrs walking time.
Grade
Moderate (walk)

Accessible by

  • Boat
  • Canoe or kayak

Journey facilities

  • Walking

Branching off the Solway circuit track, this track forms part of the magical Whitsunday Ngaro sea trail and explores giant hills covered in hoop pines and tropical rainforest before reaching the crystal-clear waters of Chance Bay.

Be enchanted by unspoilt beauty as you take in spectacular views of pristine sandy beaches and the Whitsunday Islands.

Take your boat for a cruise through the protected waters of Chance Bay and explore vibrant reefs by snorkel.

Experience the magic of the Whitsundays after dusk, spending a night or two camping under the stars at Whitehaven Beach or Chance Bay camping areas.

Whitsunday Islands National Park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

The Chance Bay track is on Whitsunday Island in Whitsunday Islands National Park, located offshore from the Queensland central coast, 25km east of Airlie Beach.

  • The Chance Bay track branches off the Solway circuit.
  • The Solway circuit begins near Whitehaven Beach camping area on Whitsunday Island. Whitehaven Beach is about 21.6nm (40km) from Shute Harbour (travelling in an anti-clockwise direction).
  • Alternatively you can access the track from Chance Bay, about 17.3nm (32km) from Shute Harbour. You can anchor in Chance Bay. Access to this site is possible from mid to high tide.
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Getting to the Whitsundays

  • Travel on the Bruce Highway to Proserpine, 125km north of Mackay.
  • From Proserpine, drive 25km east along Shute Harbour Road to Airlie Beach, and continue a further 10km to Shute Harbour. Book your tour or charter boat or launch your vessel from here.
  • All roads to the boat launch sites are suitable for conventional 2WDs.

The islands' national park is easily accessible by commercial tours and transfers, charter boat and private vessel from the coastal towns of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Hamilton Island (20km south-east of Shute Harbour) is also accessible by aircraft.

Commercial tours

  • Commercial operators offer day trips, camping tours and boat, camper and kayak transfers departing from Abell Point Marina at Airlie Beach and from Shute Harbour.

Charter boat

  • Bare boats or private charters are available from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island.

Private vessel

  • There are public boat ramps at Port of Airlie and Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Cannonvale (4km east of Airlie Beach), Dingo Beach (50km north-west of Airlie Beach), Conway Beach (38km south of Airlie Beach) and Midge Point (60km south of Airlie Beach).
  • Always take the weather and tidal influences into account when boating in the Whitsundays.

Aircraft

  • Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach have airstrips and commercial operators offer sightseeing tours.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Chance Bay track is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Whitsunday Islands safely and Walk with care.