SeaLink Whitsundays becomes Island Connections

What is Island Connections?

Journey Beyond's new national brand for the former SeaLink ferry and coastal services, covering six destinations including the Whitsundays.

Journey Beyond bought Kelsian Group's tourism business, SeaLink included, and launched Island Connections to put those boats under one name. Travel Monitor and Travel Agent Central list the six destinations: Bruny Island, the Whitsundays, K'gari, the Tiwi Islands, Groote Eylandt and the Darwin to Mandorah route. Together they carry more than 400,000 passengers a year.

The new website is islandconnections.com.au. Jennifer Vandekreeke, who runs Journey Beyond's Experiences and Attractions division, oversees the business.

What changes for the Hill Inlet and Whitehaven cruise?

Mostly the names. The route, the boat, the 9:00 am start and the up to 2 hours on Whitehaven stay as they were.

On the Island Connections tour page the trip is now the Purely Whitehaven Day Tour, previously called the Big Island Day Tour. On GetYourGuide, the Hill Inlet and Whitehaven cruise still says "Proudly operated by SeaLink Whitsundays". Three names, one boat.

The day itself: the Molle islands, Cid Harbour, past Nara Inlet and through Hook Passage, then anchor off Tongue Point for the guided walk to the Hill Inlet lookout. After that, up to 2 hours on Whitehaven Beach, and a loop around Whitsunday Island on the way home. Morning tea, a buffet lunch and afternoon tea are on board. Drinks are extra from the bar.

A big, calm catamaran from Shute Harbour: the Hill Inlet lookout walk, up to 2 hours on Whitehaven and lunch on board. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.8 · 8 hours · from $184

Explore the Hill Inlet and Whitehaven cruise → Tour details

Where does the Island Connections boat leave from?

Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, about 10 km from Airlie Beach. Arrive 30 minutes before the 9:00 am departure, or take the free bus.

This is the trap for first-timers. Most Whitsundays day boats leave from the Port of Airlie or Coral Sea Marina in town. This one does not. Shute Harbour is a separate terminal, rebuilt after Cyclone Debbie and reopened in December 2021.

The complimentary bus runs from 13 pickup points along Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale, Airlie Beach and Jubilee Pocket. Driving yourself? The terminal has lower and upper car parks with different fees, and the ticket machines take cards. The vessel on the route is Reef Quest, an air-conditioned catamaran with a rooftop deck and four toilets.

Does my SeaLink booking still work?

No announcement mentions any change to existing bookings, and the tour runs from the same terminal at the same time. Island Connections answers on 1300 317 445.

A GetYourGuide booking sits with GetYourGuide and the operator, and the operator is the same team under a new name. If your voucher says SeaLink Whitsundays, you are on the same 9:00 am departure from Shute Harbour. The listing keeps free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

If you booked direct on the old SeaLink site and want peace of mind, call Island Connections on 1300 317 445 with your booking number a few days before you travel.

Who else in the Whitsundays belongs to Journey Beyond?

Cruise Whitsundays and Red Cat Adventures. With Island Connections, that puts three of the big day-trip brands under one owner.

Travel Monitor lists Cruise Whitsundays and Red Cat Adventures in Journey Beyond's marine portfolio, next to Rottnest Express and Captain Cook Cruises. The brands keep their own boats and their own trips, and they compete for the same Hill Inlet slot.

Is the Island Connections cruise still the right Whitehaven day?

Yes, if you want Hill Inlet and Whitehaven on a big, steady boat and you do not care about snorkelling. No, if the reef is half the point.

The listing is blunt: no snorkelling or diving, "sightseeing and beach experience only". That makes it the calmest way to the northern lookout, good for families, older travellers and anyone who hates bouncing around. Guests report the walk is the highlight. One wrote: "The short walk up to Hill Inlet is more than worth it for the most spectacular views I've ever seen".

Want two snorkel stops as well? The Thundercat does that with hotel pickup, and an Ocean Rafting day does it faster. Our Whitehaven and Hill Inlet guide explains which boats reach the north end.

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