Best Guides, Charts and Maps for the Whitsundays

by Christopher O'Keeffe June 30, 2026

The Whitsundays may offer some of Australia’s most inviting cruising waters, but their beauty should never be mistaken for simplicity. Reefs, shoals, strong tidal streams, exposed passages, rapidly changing weather and dozens of possible anchorages make the right combination of charts and guides essential.

The Whitsunday Islands are one of Australia’s great maritime destinations.

Scattered between the Queensland mainland and the outer Great Barrier Reef, the region contains:

• more than 70 islands

• protected anchorages

• coral reefs

• narrow passages

• resort islands

• national parks

• remote beaches

• public moorings

• island campsites

• walking trails

• marinas and mainland ports

For many sailors, the Whitsundays provide the perfect introduction to island cruising.

Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island offer established departure points, while destinations such as Hook Island, N and Hamilton Island offer established departure points, while destinations such as Hook Island, Nara Inlet, Stonehaven, Whitehaven Beach and the Lindeman group create almost endless itinerary possibilities.

Yet no single map or book should be expected to do everything.

A cruising guide provides local knowledge.

An official nautical chart provides hydrographic information for navigation.

A passage planner helps organise a longer coastal voyage.

A topographic map explains the land, terrain and mainland hinterland.

A regional road map helps travellers reach the Whitsundays and explore North Queensland by land.

The strongest Whitsunday mapping kit combines several of these products.

Browse all of Mapworld’s current Whitsunday maps, charts and guides, or explore the wider collections:

• Australian Cruising Guides

• Queensland AUS Nautical Charts

• Navigational Equipment

• Queensland 1:25,000 QTopo Maps

• Queensland 1:50,000 QTopo Maps

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The Best Whitsunday Maps and Guides: Quick Recommendations

Purpose	Best product
Best overall Whitsunday cruising guide	100 Magic Miles
Best official chart for the complete island group	AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group
Best detailed chart for Whitsunday Passage	AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage
Best plans sheet for major island anchorages and passages	AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays
Best chart for Airlie Beach, Bowen and Gloucester Passage	AUS 268
Best chart for approaching from the south	AUS 824 — Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island
Best chart for approaching from the north	AUS 825 — Whitsunday Island to Bowen
Best guide for a longer east-coast voyage	Rob’s Passage Planner
Best comprehensive Queensland coastal pilot	Cruising the Queensland Coast
Best road map for reaching the Whitsundays	Hema North Queensland Regional Map
Best map for detailed mainland terrain	QTopo 1:25,000
Best balance of topographic detail and coverage	QTopo 1:50,000
Best decorative historical chart	Whitsunday Admiralty Chart 1951

For a one-week bareboat charter, the most useful combination is generally:

1. 100 Magic Miles;

2. AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group;

3. AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage;

4. AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays;

5. a corrected electronic chart or chartplotter;

6. current Notices to Mariners, weather, tide and marine-park information.

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Why the Whitsundays Need Several Types of Map

The Whitsundays are compact enough to look simple on a small screen.

The reality is more complex.

Within a relatively short distance, a vessel may encounter:

• fringing reefs

• isolated coral heads

• shoals

• narrow passages

• tidal acceleration

• lee shores

• exposed channels

• changing wind shelter

• restricted anchoring areas

• public and private moorings

• high vessel traffic

• marine-park zoning

A digital chartplotter is extremely useful for monitoring position, but a small screen can conceal the broader pattern of reefs, islands and alternative routes.

A paper chart allows the skipper and crew to see an entire passage at once.

A guide adds information that the chart was never designed to provide, including:

• anchorage character

• shelter in different winds

• practical approach advice

• shore access

• walks

• facilities

• campsite information

• mooring availability

• local considerations

The safest and most useful arrangement is layered:

• official chart for navigation

• cruising guide for local knowledge

• electronic chart for live positioning

• current official information for changes and restrictions

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1. 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef

The Best Overall Guide to the Whitsundays

The 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef: The Whitsunday Islands is the definitive guide to cruising the Whitsundays.

For more than 40 years, successive editions have helped:

• private yacht owners

• bareboat charterers

• delivery skippers

• sea kayakers

• campers

• resort visitors

• local marine operators

The extensively revised 15th edition was published in 2025 and contains 256 pages of Whitsunday-specific information.

It combines practical sailing knowledge with:

• aerial photography

• sketch charts

• anchorage diagrams

• approach instructions

• GPS positions

• mooring information

• reef-protection information

• island facilities

• walking and camping information

The guide covers major areas including:

• Hook Island

• Whitsunday Island

• Hamilton Island

• Dent Island

• Lindeman Island

• South Molle Island

• Brampton Island

• Keswick Island

• Shute Harbour

• Airlie Beach

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What Makes 100 Magic Miles So Useful?

An official nautical chart shows:

• depths

• reefs

• shoals

• navigation marks

• coastlines

• channels

• hazards

It does not tell the full story of an anchorage.

A cruising guide can help explain:

• which wind directions offer the best shelter

• whether an anchorage is comfortable in a particular swell

• how to identify the entrance visually

• where public moorings may be located

• whether access ashore is practical

• where coral restricts anchoring

• which bays suit a lunch stop rather than an overnight stay

• where walks, campsites and facilities can be found

The 15th edition contains 122 pages of detailed anchorage navigation, together with full-colour aerial photographs and approach diagrams.

This makes it particularly useful for visual recognition.

A photograph showing the shape of a headland, beach and reef can help a crew connect what appears on the chart with what they see from the cockpit.

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Who Should Carry 100 Magic Miles?

This guide is especially valuable for:

• first-time bareboat charterers

• visiting sailors

• skippers planning a multi-island itinerary

• powerboat owners

• catamaran crews

• kayakers

• island campers

• people researching a future Whitsunday holiday

It is also useful ashore.

The book includes information on:

• island walks

• snorkelling

• diving

• camping

• marine parks

• island resorts

• shore facilities

Important Limitation

100 Magic Miles is a cruising guide, not an official nautical chart.

It should complement—not replace:

• corrected AUS charts

• approved electronic charts

• current Notices to Mariners

• weather forecasts

• tide information

• local navigation advice

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2. AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group Nautical Chart

The Best Official Overview of the Island Group

The AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group Nautical Chart is the principal official chart for the broader Whitsunday Islands.

Its main chart is produced at 1:75,000, providing a strong balance between:

• broad island-group coverage

• useful coastal detail

• passage planning

• anchorage context

• reef awareness

It covers the central Whitsunday group and the surrounding waters used by recreational, charter and commercial vessels.

The chart also contains a detailed Laguna Quays inset at 1:12,500.

Why AUS 252 Matters

AUS 252 is the chart that helps bring the whole island group into view.

It is useful for planning routes between:

• Airlie Beach and the islands

• Whitsunday Island

• Hook Island

• Hamilton Island

• the Molle group

• southern anchorages

• northern approaches

It allows a skipper to:

• compare possible routes

• identify reefs and shoals

• select safe offings

• establish landfall bearings

• brief the crew

• understand the relationship between anchorages

For many Whitsunday trips, AUS 252 should be considered the foundation chart.

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3. AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage Nautical Chart

Best Detailed Chart for the Central Passage

The AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage Nautical Chart focuses on the waterway between the mainland and the central islands.

It is produced at 1:37,500, a substantially larger scale than AUS 252.

That increased scale provides closer detail for:

• Whitsunday Passage

• route shaping

• reef clearances

• landfall bearings

• tidal planning

• passages between the mainland and island anchorages

Whitsunday Passage is central to many charter and private-vessel itineraries.

It may be crossed when travelling between:

• Airlie Beach

• Shute Harbour

• Hook Island

• Whitsunday Island

• Hamilton Island

• the southern island group

AUS 252 vs AUS 253

AUS 252 gives the wider view.

AUS 253 gives the closer view of Whitsunday Passage.

Use AUS 252 to understand the complete island group.

Use AUS 253 when detailed planning within the main passage becomes important.

The two charts are complementary rather than interchangeable.

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4. AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays

Best Chart for Detailed Anchorages and Pilotage

The AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays Nautical Chart brings five detailed plans together on one chart.

These cover:

• Stonehaven Anchorage

• Lindeman Island

• Hook Reef

• Fitzalan Passage

• Hamilton and Dent Islands

This is an especially useful chart because each area presents a different pilotage problem.

Stonehaven Anchorage

Stonehaven is one of the best-known western Hook Island anchorages.

Detailed mapping helps skippers examine:

• the shape of the bay

• reefs and shoals

• anchoring areas

• approaches

• surrounding topography

Lindeman Island

The Lindeman group forms an important part of the southern Whitsunday cruising area.

A detailed plan assists with:

• approach planning

• reef clearance

• anchorage selection

• understanding the surrounding islands

Hook Reef

Hook Reef sits farther offshore and requires careful passage planning.

The plan supports:

• reef awareness

• route preparation

• position monitoring

• understanding surrounding depths

Fitzalan Passage

Fitzalan Passage lies between Hamilton and Whitsunday islands.

Its confined waters, reefs and tidal considerations make larger-scale planning valuable.

Hamilton and Dent Islands

This plan supports approaches around:

• Hamilton Island

• Dent Island

• marina and resort waters

• nearby channels and reefs

AUS 254 should be considered alongside 100 Magic Miles, which adds anchorage descriptions, aerial imagery and practical local context.

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5. AUS 268 — Plans of Airlie Beach and Bowen

Best Chart for the Mainland Ports

The AUS 268 — Plans of Airlie Beach and Bowen Nautical Chart contains four detailed plans:

• Approaches to Bowen at 1:25,000

• Bowen at 1:10,000

• Airlie Beach at 1:15,000

• Gloucester Passage at 1:25,000

This is the most useful plans sheet for cruisers working between the Whitsunday mainland ports and the islands.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is the principal mainland base for much of the Whitsunday charter and tourism industry.

A detailed plan assists with:

• marina approaches

• pilotage

• harbour orientation

• departure planning

• returning after a multi-island passage

Bowen

Bowen is an important port and service centre north of the central Whitsundays.

The chart provides both approach and harbour detail.

Gloucester Passage

Gloucester Passage lies between Gloucester Island and the mainland.

It requires careful attention to:

• depth

• tide

• shoals

• route selection

A dedicated plan is valuable when incorporating this area into a coastal passage.

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6. AUS 824 — Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island

Best Chart for Arriving from the South

The AUS 824 — Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island Nautical Chart is a broader coastal chart at 1:150,000.

It is useful for vessels approaching the Whitsundays from:

• Mackay

• the southern Cumberland Islands

• Penrith Island

• southern Queensland coastal routes

Its purpose is not detailed anchorage pilotage.

It provides broader coastal context for:

• passage shaping

• offshore route selection

• landfall preparation

• waypoint checking

• identifying major reefs and islands

A vessel arriving from the south would normally move from AUS 824 onto the more detailed Whitsunday charts as it enters the island group.

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7. AUS 825 — Whitsunday Island to Bowen

Best Chart for the Northern Approach

The AUS 825 — Whitsunday Island to Bowen Nautical Chart covers the coast and waters extending north from Whitsunday Island towards Bowen.

Like AUS 824, it is produced at 1:150,000.

It is appropriate for:

• coastal passages north of the island group

• approaches towards Bowen

• planning between the Whitsundays and Gloucester Island

• identifying broader reefs and offshore hazards

• vessels arriving from the north

Use AUS 825 for the broader coastal passage.

Move to AUS 252, AUS 253, AUS 254 or AUS 268 as the route enters areas requiring closer detail.

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The Recommended Whitsunday Nautical Chart Set

A well-prepared skipper should select charts according to the complete voyage rather than buying only the chart covering the final destination.

Central Whitsunday Cruising

Carry:

• AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group

• AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage

• AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays

Mainland Ports and Island Cruising

Add:

• AUS 268 — Plans of Airlie Beach and Bowen

Approaching from the South

Add:

• AUS 824 — Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island

Approaching from the North

Add:

• AUS 825 — Whitsunday Island to Bowen

Browse the complete Queensland AUS Chart collection.

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Paper or Laminated Nautical Charts?

Mapworld supplies Whitsunday AUS charts in paper and laminated formats.

Paper Charts

Mapworld’s paper AUS charts are printed on 120 gsm matte stock.

Paper is best for:

• traditional pencil plotting

• use under chart-table glass

• folding and storage

• carrying a complete chart folio

• skippers who prefer conventional chart handling

Paper charts are flexible and easy to annotate, although they need protection from moisture.

Laminated Charts

Mapworld’s laminated AUS charts have:

• a soft-matte writeable front

• a gloss reverse

• sealed edges

The soft-matte surface can be used with appropriate chart-correction, grease or whiteboard pencils.

Lamination is particularly useful in the Whitsundays, where charts may be exposed to:

• spray

• humidity

• wet hands

• frequent handling

• cockpit use

Laminated charts are durable, but they take more storage space and are less convenient for carrying as a large folio.

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8. Rob’s Passage Planner

Best for Cruising to or from the Whitsundays

The Rob’s Passage Planner is designed for sailors travelling along Australia’s east coast rather than remaining entirely within the Whitsundays.

The expanded third edition covers the coast from:

• Lizard Island in Queensland

• to Hobart in Tasmania

Its 124 spiral-bound pages bring together practical passage-planning material, including:

• rhumb-line distances

• passage-time calculations

• coastal lights

• light characteristics

• visibility ranges

• VHF repeater coverage

• marina information

• safety requirements

• weather resources

• communications

• seamanship

• incident management

Why It Is Useful for Whitsunday Cruisers

A yacht owner may be planning to sail:

• from Brisbane to Airlie Beach

• from the Gold Coast to the Whitsundays

• from the Whitsundays north towards Cairns

• south from Bowen or Hamilton Island

• between major east-coast cruising regions

100 Magic Miles becomes most valuable within the Whitsundays.

Rob’s Passage Planner helps organise the longer voyage that leads to and from them.

Its marina plans can assist with:

• fuel planning

• water

• berthing

• repairs

• services

• arrival preparation

Important Limitation

Rob’s Passage Planner complements pilot books and official charts.

It does not replace them.

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9. Cruising the Queensland Coast

Best Comprehensive Guide to the Queensland Seaboard

Cruising the Queensland Coast is the strongest broad cruising reference for sailors exploring several Queensland regions.

The current publication contains 649 pages and covers the coast from the Gold Coast to Cooktown.

It divides the Queensland coast into 13 cruising regions, including:

• Gold Coast

• Brisbane

• Fraser Coast

• Capricorn Coast

• Whitsundays

• Townsville

• Cairns

• Cooktown

The guide contains:

• anchorage information

• marina details

• chartlets

• aerial images

• passage advice

• seabed information

• wind shelter

• tide considerations

• marine-park zoning

• communications information

100 Magic Miles vs Cruising the Queensland Coast

Choose 100 Magic Miles when the Whitsundays are the main destination.

Choose Cruising the Queensland Coast when the Whitsundays form one part of a longer Queensland voyage.

The differences are primarily in geographic focus.

100 Magic Miles

• highly detailed Whitsunday coverage

• anchorage-by-anchorage guidance

• island walks and camping

• extensive aerial photography

• specialised local knowledge

Cruising the Queensland Coast

• broad Queensland coastal coverage

• multiple cruising regions

• passage planning between regions

• marina and anchorage information throughout the coast

• useful for extended voyages

Many long-distance cruisers will benefit from carrying both.

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Comparing the Three Main Cruising Guides

Guide	Principal coverage	Best use
100 Magic Miles	Whitsunday Islands	Detailed local cruising and anchorages
Rob’s Passage Planner	Lizard Island to Hobart	Passage distances, lights, VHF and marina planning
Cruising the Queensland Coast	Gold Coast to Cooktown	Complete Queensland coastal pilotage reference

A practical division is:

• 100 Magic Miles tells you where to go within the Whitsundays.

• Rob’s Passage Planner helps organise the voyage between coastal regions.

• Cruising the Queensland Coast provides a comprehensive pilot for the entire Queensland coast.

Explore the full Mapworld Cruising Guides collection.

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10. Hema North Queensland Regional Map

Best Land Map for Reaching the Whitsundays

The Hema North Queensland Regional Map is the most useful general road and touring map for travellers approaching the Whitsundays by land.

The 11th edition covers North Queensland from:

• Mackay in the south

• to the Tip of Cape York in the north

It includes:

• the Whitsundays

• Townsville

• Cairns

• Cooktown

• Cape York

• inland roads and national parks

The principal scale is 1:750,000.

The map also includes a dedicated Mackay and Whitsundays inset.

Why It Is Useful

The Hema map helps travellers understand the relationship between:

• Mackay

• Proserpine

• Airlie Beach

• Shute Harbour

• Bowen

• the Bruce Highway

• the Whitsunday hinterland

• Conway National Park

• Eungella and inland destinations

It shows:

• sealed and unsealed roads

• regional connections

• national parks

• camping

• fuel

• rest areas

• attractions

• relief shading

This is not a nautical chart.

Its role is to support:

• road-trip planning

• caravan travel

• transfers between coastal towns

• exploration before or after a cruise

• understanding the mainland behind the islands

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North Queensland Hema Wall Map

The North Queensland Hema Laminated Wall Map enlarges the regional map to approximately 700 × 1000 mm.

It is valuable for:

• tourism businesses

• charter offices

• schools

• regional operations

• travel planning

• home display

The laminated surface provides a practical way to mark:

• driving routes

• departure points

• accommodation

• marinas

• island connections

• onward travel through North Queensland

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11. Queensland 1:25,000 QTopo Maps

Best for Detailed Mainland and Hinterland Terrain

Mapworld’s Queensland 1:25,000 QTopo collection provides detailed terrestrial mapping for the Whitsunday mainland and hinterland.

At 1:25,000:

• one centimetre represents 250 metres

• one kilometre occupies four centimetres on the map

These maps may show:

• detailed contours

• slopes and ridgelines

• creeks and drainage

• roads

• tracks

• buildings

• vegetation

• cadastral boundaries

• infrastructure

• tidal and coastal landforms

They are designed for land-based use, not navigation at sea.

Relevant Whitsunday QTopo Sheets

Mapworld’s Whitsunday search includes:

• 8657-31 Cannonvale QTopo 1:25,000

• 8657-32 Bonavista QTopo 1:25,000

Cannonvale

The Cannonvale sheet covers the important coastal corridor around:

• Cannonvale

• Airlie Beach approaches

• surrounding hills

• wetlands

• tidal flats

• creek systems

• urban and rural access

It is useful for:

• planning

• environmental studies

• emergency operations

• property management

• land-based navigation

Bonavista

The Bonavista sheet covers part of the Whitsunday hinterland between the coastal plain and inland ridges.

It is useful for:

• rural access

• environmental work

• drainage studies

• property management

• understanding the terrain behind Cannonvale and Proserpine

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QTopo Paper, Waterproof or Laminated

Mapworld offers 1:25,000 QTopo sheets as:

• folded paper

• waterproof Tyvek

• laminated maps

Folded Paper

Best for:

• occasional field use

• note-taking

• carrying several adjoining sheets

• lower-cost project mapping

Waterproof Tyvek

Best for:

• walking

• kayaking support teams

• environmental fieldwork

• wet tropical conditions

• repeated outdoor handling

Laminated

Best for:

• offices

• emergency planning

• property management

• wall display

• repeated write-on and wipe-off use

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12. Queensland 1:50,000 QTopo Maps

Best Balance of Topographic Detail and Regional Coverage

The Queensland 1:50,000 QTopo collection provides twice the geographic coverage of equivalent 1:25,000 mapping while retaining substantial terrain detail.

At 1:50,000:

• one centimetre represents 500 metres

• one kilometre occupies two centimetres on the map

This scale is useful for:

• regional walking

• emergency operations

• environmental studies

• larger properties

• catchment planning

• four-wheel-drive access

• hinterland exploration

1:25,000 vs 1:50,000

Choose 1:25,000 when:

• maximum local detail matters

• the project covers a small area

• individual tracks and drainage lines are important

• the map is for site-based fieldwork

Choose 1:50,000 when:

• a wider region must fit on one sheet

• the route crosses several local areas

• the relationship between ridges, valleys and roads matters

• a balance of detail and coverage is required

Neither scale is a substitute for a nautical chart.

QTopo maps show the land.

AUS charts show navigable water, depths, reefs and marine hazards.

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13. Maps for Bareboat Charterers

A bareboat charterer may begin with less local experience than a resident skipper.

The most useful kit is:

• 100 Magic Miles

• AUS 252

• AUS 253

• AUS 254

• corrected electronic charts

• charter-company briefing materials

• current weather and tide information

100 Magic Miles is especially useful for deciding where to go.

The charts remain essential for deciding how to navigate there.

Charter-company restrictions, vessel limits and briefing instructions must always take priority over a general itinerary found in a book.

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14. Maps for Private Yacht Owners

A private yacht approaching the Whitsundays needs broader coastal coverage than a vessel collected from an Airlie Beach charter base.

Approaching from the South

Carry:

• AUS 824

• AUS 252

• AUS 253

• AUS 254

• Rob’s Passage Planner

• Cruising the Queensland Coast

Approaching from the North

Carry:

• AUS 825

• AUS 268

• the central Whitsunday charts

• the relevant cruising guides

The chart folio should cover the entire voyage, not simply the intended marina or anchorage.

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15. Maps and Guides for Kayakers and Island Campers

The Whitsundays can also be explored by:

• sea kayak

• commercial transfer

• small boat

• island camping trip

For this kind of journey, useful resources include:

• 100 Magic Miles

• AUS 252

• detailed official park maps

• marine-park mooring and no-anchoring maps

• weather and tide information

• camping permits

• suitable topographic mapping

100 Magic Miles contains information on:

• sea-kayaking routes

• island campsites

• shore access

• walks

• protected bays

However, small-craft users must pay particular attention to:

• wind against tide

• exposed crossings

• vessel traffic

• limited landing points

• marine stingers

• lack of fresh water

• changes in weather

Camping permits are required at national-park campsites and should be booked before departure.

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16. Marine-Park Zoning, Moorings and Anchoring

The Whitsundays lie within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Queensland’s state marine parks.

Navigation and anchoring decisions must account for:

• marine-park zones

• public moorings

• private moorings

• no-anchoring areas

• reef-protection markers

• fishing restrictions

• vessel-size limits

• mooring time limits

Public moorings are colour coded according to the size of vessel and permitted wind conditions.

Only one vessel should use a public mooring at a time, and posted time limits must be observed.

Reef-protection markers are not moorings.

They identify areas where anchoring is prohibited to protect coral.

Most are white, pyramid-shaped buoys with blue labels, although some no-anchoring areas are unmarked.

Current official mooring and no-anchoring maps should always be checked before visiting a reef or bay.

A printed cruising guide provides excellent context, but marine-park arrangements can change.

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17. Weather, Tides and Local Conditions

The Whitsundays are strongly influenced by:

• south-east trade winds

• tidal streams

• tropical weather

• summer thunderstorms

• cyclones

• wind acceleration around headlands

• wind-against-tide conditions

A well-sheltered anchorage in one wind direction may become uncomfortable or unsafe after a change.

Before departure, check:

• Bureau of Meteorology marine forecasts

• current marine warnings

• tide predictions

• Maritime Safety Queensland notices

• local marina and charter information

• current Notices to Mariners

Continue monitoring conditions throughout the voyage.

A forecast checked the previous evening is not sufficient for an entire day of island cruising.

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18. Correcting and Maintaining Nautical Charts

Australian paper nautical charts must be maintained using current Australian Notices to Mariners.

These notices provide safety-critical changes involving:

• navigation aids

• lights

• depths

• obstructions

• restricted areas

• chart notes

• maritime boundaries

A chart’s printed edition date does not mean it can be used indefinitely without correction.

Before relying on a chart:

1. confirm it is the current edition;

2. check the applicable Notices to Mariners;

3. apply all required permanent, temporary and preliminary corrections;

4. confirm that electronic charts are updated;

5. obtain current local notices and warnings.

Mapworld supplies current chart editions available through the Australian Hydrographic Office system, but responsibility for maintaining the chart ultimately remains with the vessel’s master.

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19. Historical Whitsunday Charts

The Whitsunday Admiralty Chart 1951 offers a very different view of the island group.

This historical reproduction shows:

• soundings

• reefs

• shoals

• island outlines

• anchorages

• navigation aids

• period hydrographic drafting

It is available in:

• paper

• laminated

• laminated with timber hang rails

• archival canvas

• canvas with timber hang rails

The chart makes an excellent wall piece for:

• yacht clubs

• coastal homes

• charter offices

• marinas

• sailors

• Whitsunday residents

• people commemorating a voyage

It must not be used for current navigation.

Its value is historical, decorative and cartographic.

Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery of hang-railed maps, as each one is professionally mounted by Mapworld’s framer.

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Building the Ideal Whitsunday Map Kit

One-Week Bareboat Charter

• 100 Magic Miles

• AUS 252

• AUS 253

• AUS 254

• corrected electronic charts

• current weather, tide and marine-park information

Private Yacht Arriving from Brisbane or Mackay

• Cruising the Queensland Coast

• Rob’s Passage Planner

• AUS 824

• AUS 252

• AUS 253

• AUS 254

• AUS 268 where Airlie Beach or Bowen is included

Vessel Arriving from Townsville or the North

• Cruising the Queensland Coast

• Rob’s Passage Planner

• AUS 825

• AUS 268

• AUS 252

• AUS 253

• AUS 254

Land-Based Whitsunday Holiday

• Hema North Queensland Regional Map

• Cannonvale QTopo 1:25,000

• Bonavista QTopo 1:25,000

• relevant QTopo 1:50,000 sheets

• park walking maps

• digital road navigation

Sea-Kayaking and Island-Camping Trip

• 100 Magic Miles

• AUS 252

• official park and campsite maps

• marine-park zoning and mooring maps

• waterproof topographic mapping where relevant

• tide and weather information

Charter Office or Yacht Club

• laminated AUS charts

• 100 Magic Miles

• Rob’s Passage Planner

• Cruising the Queensland Coast

• Hema North Queensland wall map

• current marine-park maps

• historical Whitsunday Admiralty Chart for display

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Why Buy Whitsunday Maps and Charts from Mapworld?

Mapworld developed from Australia’s largest physical chain of specialist map shops into Australia’s largest online map shop.

Nautical charts, cruising guides and navigational equipment remain core parts of the business.

Mapworld’s Whitsunday range includes:

• official AUS nautical charts

• cruising guides

• passage-planning references

• paper charts

• laminated charts

• Hema touring maps

• QTopo topographic maps

• waterproof maps

• historical charts

• compasses and navigation equipment

Mapworld can help customers identify:

• which chart covers a passage

• which detailed plans are required

• whether adjoining charts are needed

• which guide best suits the voyage

• whether paper or laminated format is more appropriate

• which QTopo sheet covers a mainland location

Browse:

• All Whitsunday Products

• 100 Magic Miles

• Rob’s Passage Planner

• Cruising the Queensland Coast

• AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group

• AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage

• AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays

• AUS 268 — Airlie Beach and Bowen

• AUS 824 — Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island

• AUS 825 — Whitsunday Island to Bowen

• Hema North Queensland Regional Map

• North Queensland Hema Wall Map

• Queensland 1:25,000 QTopo Maps

• Queensland 1:50,000 QTopo Maps

• Whitsunday Admiralty Chart 1951

• Navigational Equipment

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Final Verdict

The best Whitsunday cruising resource is not one book or chart.

It is a carefully selected combination.

Best Overall Guide

100 Magic Miles is the strongest local guide to the Whitsundays, combining detailed anchorage information, aerial photography, practical advice and island information.

Best General Nautical Chart

AUS 252 — Whitsunday Group provides the essential official overview of the islands.

Best Detailed Passage Chart

AUS 253 — Whitsunday Passage gives the closer scale needed for the principal waterway between the mainland and the islands.

Best Detailed Plans Sheet

AUS 254 — Plans in Whitsundays provides larger-scale coverage of Stonehaven, Lindeman Island, Hook Reef, Fitzalan Passage and Hamilton and Dent islands.

Best Mainland Ports Chart

AUS 268 covers detailed approaches and plans for Airlie Beach, Bowen and Gloucester Passage.

Best Long-Distance Guides

Use Rob’s Passage Planner and Cruising the Queensland Coast when the Whitsundays form part of a longer east-coast voyage.

Best Land Map

The Hema North Queensland Regional Map is the most useful touring map for reaching the region by road and exploring the mainland.

Best Topographic Maps

Use QTopo 1:25,000 for maximum mainland detail and QTopo 1:50,000 for wider terrain coverage.

The Whitsundays reward careful preparation.

A cruising guide helps select the destination.

A nautical chart explains the route.

A chartplotter monitors the vessel’s position.

A topographic map reveals the land.

Current official information confirms what has changed.

Together, they provide the depth of knowledge needed to explore one of Australia’s finest cruising grounds with greater confidence, safety and understanding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best guide to the Whitsundays?

100 Magic Miles is the most detailed guide devoted specifically to the Whitsunday Islands. It covers anchorages, approaches, moorings, reefs, walks, campsites and island facilities.

What is the best nautical chart for the Whitsundays?

AUS 252 is the principal general chart for the Whitsunday Group. Most skippers should also consider AUS 253 and AUS 254 for closer passage and pilotage detail.

What does AUS 253 cover?

AUS 253 covers Whitsunday Passage at 1:37,500, providing greater detail between the mainland and the central islands.

What does AUS 254 cover?

AUS 254 contains detailed plans of Stonehaven Anchorage, Lindeman Island, Hook Reef, Fitzalan Passage and Hamilton and Dent islands.

Which chart covers Airlie Beach?

AUS 268 contains an Airlie Beach plan at 1:15,000, together with plans of Bowen, the approaches to Bowen and Gloucester Passage.

Which chart should I carry when approaching from the south?

AUS 824 covers Penrith Island to Whitsunday Island. It should be paired with the more detailed Whitsunday charts.

Which chart should I carry when approaching from the north?

AUS 825 covers Whitsunday Island to Bowen.

Do I need both 100 Magic Miles and nautical charts?

Yes. The guide provides local cruising knowledge, while official charts provide hydrographic information for navigation. One should not replace the other.

Is Rob’s Passage Planner only for the Whitsundays?

No. It covers the Australian east coast from Lizard Island to Hobart and is best for planning longer coastal passages.

What area does Cruising the Queensland Coast cover?

It covers Queensland’s coast from the Gold Coast to Cooktown, including a dedicated Whitsunday section.

Are laminated charts better for boats?

Laminated charts provide greater moisture resistance and a writeable surface. Paper charts remain easier to fold, store and plot on conventionally.

Do nautical charts need to be corrected?

Yes. Paper nautical charts must be checked and maintained using current Australian Notices to Mariners.

Can I rely only on a chartplotter?

Electronic navigation is valuable but should not be relied upon as the sole source of navigational information. Paper charts provide an independent overview and backup.

What is the best road map for the Whitsundays?

The Hema North Queensland Regional Map provides broad road and touring coverage from Mackay through the Whitsundays and farther north.

What QTopo map covers Cannonvale and Airlie Beach?

The 8657-31 Cannonvale QTopo 1:25,000 map covers Cannonvale and the surrounding Airlie Beach coastal corridor.

What is the Bonavista QTopo map used for?

The 8657-32 Bonavista sheet covers part of the Whitsunday hinterland and is useful for terrain, property, drainage and environmental information.

Should I choose QTopo 1:25,000 or 1:50,000?

Choose 1:25,000 for maximum local detail. Choose 1:50,000 when broader regional coverage is more important.

Can QTopo maps be used for marine navigation?

No. QTopo maps are terrestrial topographic maps. Use official AUS nautical charts for navigating Whitsunday waters.

Are camping permits required in the Whitsundays?

Camping permits are required for national-park island campsites and should be booked before departure.

Can I anchor anywhere in the Whitsundays?

No. Reef-protection and no-anchoring areas apply in many locations. Check current official mooring and no-anchoring maps.

Are public moorings free to use?

Public moorings are generally available for public use, but vessel-size, wind-condition and time restrictions apply.

Is the 1951 Whitsunday Admiralty Chart suitable for navigation?

No. It is a historical reproduction intended for research and decorative display, not modern navigation.

Where can I buy Whitsunday maps and charts online?

Mapworld offers Whitsunday cruising guides, official AUS charts, Hema touring maps, QTopo maps and historical charts with Australia-wide delivery.

Written by Christopher O’Keeffe
Managing Director of Mapworld and specialist in maps, navigation and cartographic products.

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