Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsundays

You'll have uninterrupted views over the fringing reef and Coral Sea from Maureen's Cove camping area. Photo credit: © 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

Maureen's Cove, Hook Island

Set up camp in this picturesque coral cove and wake to uninterrupted views stretching out over the Coral Sea.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Mooring points
  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Snorkelling and diving
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Boating

Queensland National Parks Booking System Update

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Nestled beneath the rugged hills of Hook Island, this camping area sits on top of a steep coral rubble beach.

Pitch your tent among pandanus palms and beach gardenias and enjoy the shady, spacious surrounds, perfect for large groups camping together. In the cooler months, marvel at a kaleidoscope of butterflies, such as blue tiger and common crow, fluttering about the forest.

Grab your snorkel or diving gear and explore fringing reefs along both the eastern and western edges of Maureen's Cove.

Venture to the surrounding bays of Hook Island by canoe or kayak, then return to camp to relax and gaze out at the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea.

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

Maureen's Cove camping area is on Hook Island in Whitsunday Islands National Park, located offshore from the Queensland central coast, 25km east of Airlie Beach.

  • Maureen's Cove is located at northern Hook Island, approximately 21.5nm (40km) from Shute Harbour (travelling in an anti-clockwise direction).
  • Access is possible at mid to high tide. Seven public moorings are available. If moorings are unavailable, anchoring is permitted outside of the reef protection buoys.
  • The cove is sheltered from south-easterly winds but exposed to strong northerlies.
  • 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, or continue a further 10km to Shute Harbour.
  • 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 Coral Sea Marina and Port of Airlie Marina at Airlie Beach and from Shute Harbour Marina.

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 Coral Sea 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.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Maureen's Cove camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check in to your camp after 2pm and check out by 11am on the day of departure.

Camping area features

The bays of Hook Island offer some of the most beautiful fringing reefs with good diving and snorkelling opportunities. Maureen's Cove is a coral rubble beach on the north of Hook Island. It provides uninterrupted views over the fringing reef out to the Coral Sea. A small creek meanders behind the campground to the bay, and beach vegetation such as pandanus and beach gardenias provide shelter.

Location: Northern Hook Island; approximately 35km north-east of Airlie Beach.

Access: The camping area can be reached by boat (only) at mid to high tide.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 24 people.

Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping.

Camp site surface: Coral rubble.

Facilities: Composting toilet, picnic tables.

Open fires: Prohibited.

Generators: Not permitted.

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent. Read more about before you visit.

Mobile phone coverage: Not available.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are recommended for holiday periods.

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Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Whitsunday Islands safely and camp with care.