Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsundays

The Solway circuit track has spectacular views over the Solway Passage and surrounding islands. 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

Solway circuit track

Follow this winding, uphill track to a natural rock platform with breathtaking views over Solway Passage and the surrounding islands.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
2.4km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
Time suggested
Allow 40min walking time.
Grade
Moderate (walk)

Accessible by

  • Boat
  • Canoe or kayak

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (natural)
  • Walking

Be amazed by aquamarine ocean views and stunning island landscapes on this one-way circuit track forming part of the Whitsunday Ngaro sea trail.

Located behind world-renowned Whitehaven Beach, this walk climbs through grasstrees, cycads and rock ferns to arrive at a rocky lookout over Solway Passage.

Learn from signs along the way how this land has slowly transformed over thousands of years into this stunning island archipelago.

Stay on after your walk, stretching out on the fine, white silica-sand at nearby Whitehaven Beach camping area to gaze out over the picturesque beach.

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

  • The Solway circuit track begins near Whitehaven Beach camping area on Whitsunday Island.
  • Whitehaven Beach is about 21.6nm (40km) from Shute Harbour (travelling in a anti-clockwise direction).
  • Anchoring is permitted off Whitehaven Beach. There is all tide access at this site.
  • 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

Solway circuit 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.