The hang
Whitehaven's sand is 98 per cent silica, which Time Out says makes it whiter and softer than pretty much anywhere in the world. It runs along Whitsunday Island, reached only by boat, seaplane or helicopter from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island; the boat takes 30 to 60 minutes, and most day trips also stop at Hill Inlet. There are toilets at the Hill Inlet Lookout and near the South Whitehaven campground. Yachts anchor, seaplanes land and the crowds come ashore together. Queensland Parks lists warnings for crocodiles, marine stingers and sharks across the national park. Lonely Planet and Wikipedia give it as 7 km; the stretch we measured is 5,517 metres.
