camping
There is a superb variety of choices for campsites on the Whitsunday islands for people who want to get away from all the pre-packaged tourism. The first thing to check out is the basic brochure online (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au...) from the Queensland Government. While it has not been updated since June 2002, it gives a good outline of the different campsites and a map of where everything is. To stay on a campsite you need to phone up Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/) on 07 4946 7022, or visit their office in Airlie. It costs $4 per person per night and offers a brilliant way to to see the scenery unhindered during the day, and stars when night falls when no one is left in sight. You just need a pack for some food, some water and a tent and you are away. Or you can see more at Camping Whitsundays (http://campingwhitsundays.com/).
The national parks of the Whitsundays also fall under the regulatory oversight of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/) or GBRMPA for "short". As detailed in the online brochure, campers are required to have sufficient water. The recommendation is five litres per person per day, and three days more for emergencies. In practice three or four litres a day will last people who are careful. So as not to be overcharged purchase the water or big containers to carry some at a petrol station or supermarket in Airlie. Another regulation, from the collective wisdom of the two authorities, is that boat companies need special permits in order to drop campers off on an island even though someone with their own boat would need no permission!.
