You&rsquo;ve conjured a sprawling panoramic image of the Great Barrier Reef, haven&rsquo;t you? It&rsquo;s one of the world&rsquo;s 7 natural wonders! Of course it&rsquo;s the first thing that comes to mind, it&rsquo;s simply magical.<br />
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What you may not know is the Great Barrier Reef shines so brightly it casts a shadow over some other precious gems hidden in the Whitsundays. But we&rsquo;ve got our torches out and are ready to show you what else there is to explore! Read on to discover them.<br />
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	1. Chasing Waterfalls</h2>
Surrounded by two national parks there is a plethora of rainforest wonders to explore, one such wonder is Cedar Creek Falls. Aside from the name (it seems like nearly every national park has a &lsquo;cedar creek&rsquo;!) &nbsp;this waterfall is uniquely beautiful.<br />
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Multiple cascades end in a picturesque waterhole with crystal clear waters. You can either self drive to the national park and walk or if you do not have a car you can jump on a tour.<br />
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<a href="https://www.absoluteairlie.com.au/cedar-creek-falls">Absolute Airlie</a> provide an incredible experience with door to door transfers in air conditioned comfort with a knowledgeable local guide, inflatable pool toys to enjoy at the swimming hole, an esky with ice (BYO drinks) and wetsuit booties to protect your feet on the rocks if you would like.<br />
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For the waterfall without the hike, <a href="https://www.whitsundaysegwaytours.com.au/segwayrainforestdiscoverytour">Whitsunday Segway tours</a> do an amazing Rainforest Discovery Tour that includes a free courtesy pick up and drop off, morning tea with coffee and tea, an experienced tour guide and your Segway for the tour!<br />
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	2. Dining like a Foodie</h2>
Whether you are a foodie at heart or just appreciate a lovely meal, good dining is an important element of every holiday and a great way to experience the local culture. Boathouse Fish Bar is set on the Port of Airlie waterfront and boasts award winning fresh seafood sustainably sourced through local suppliers.<br />
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The signature seafood platter is the perfect way to indulge in a taste of everything on offer and the panna cotta finishes the meal off with a fresh sweetness sure to leave to satiated and oh so happy!<br />
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	3. Airlie Beach Lagoon</h2>
Nestled in the heart of town, not only are you surrounded by dining and shopping galore, but you have a giant lagoon perfect for a day in the water!<br />
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This man-made mega pool is the focal point of Airlie Beach, and once you arrive, you will see why. Not only is it entirely free it is peppered with grassy knolls overlooking the ocean, boast a sandy beach that allows stinger free swimming year around and even has a children&rsquo;s pool.&nbsp;[img2042]<br />
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	4. Whitsunday Crocodile Safari</h2>
For an adventure like no other jump on a <a href="http://crocodilesafari.com.au/">Whitsunday Crocodile Safari</a>&nbsp;to marvel at these incredible prehistoric animals in their natural habitat. You are guaranteed to see plenty of salties from the safety of the tour boat, as Proserpine River has the densest population in the state! As well as crocs, you&rsquo;ll also likely encounter wallabies and plenty of birds.<br />
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The tour includes a barbeque lunch with traditional billy tea and damper, your boat ride, and a tractor-drawn wagon ride to explore the Goorganga Plains. &nbsp;&nbsp;[img2045]<br />
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	5. Beachcome The Whitsundays</h2>
<strong>Hydeaway Bay</strong><br />
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Head north by approximately 50 kilometres from Airlie Beach to discover the tiny coastal hamlet of Hydeaway Bay. You will be rewarded with secluded white sandy beaches, powder blue waters and a slice of paradise that you won&rsquo;t have to share!<br />
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Dingo Beach is just around the corner and also promises a stunning and secluded beach heavy on the charm light on the population!<br />
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Both beaches are nearby the Dingo beach pub as well as two restaurants at Cape Gloucester so you can make a day of it!<br />
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<em>Getting There: Take Gregory-Cannon Valley Road to Dingo Beach Road and then keep your eyes peeled for the turn to Hydeaway Bay Drive no through road. &nbsp;</em><br />
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<strong>Horseshoe Bay</strong><br />
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This stunning beachfront regularly tops &lsquo;best beach&rsquo; lists and lies just an hours&rsquo; drive north of Airlie Beach in the township of Bowen. This beach is popular among tourists and locals and is a beautiful spot for swimming, sun bathing, family fun, and snorkelling. The beach is also home to a Bywa, a inter-tidal sculpture installed as part of an art project for the Whitsunday Reef Recovery.<br />
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If you still have some energy left after your beach fun, check out the Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail, it takes approximately an hour return and links the fringing reef beaches of Horseshoe, Murray and Rose Bays.<br />
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With so much more to do in the Whitsundays than just visiting the Great Barrier Reef, is it time you booked your Whitsundays getaway?&nbsp; Call our Queensland holiday experts on 1300 788 553 to book a holiday to look forward to when it is safe to travel.<br />
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