If you’re looking for something exciting to do in the next week, you can’t afford to miss the Whitsunday Reef Festival! The festival begins 31 July and runs until 9 August and is held in the lively seaside town of Airlie Beach. With a spectacular array of events and activities, there’s something to please everybody at the festival. Happening once annually, the festival has been community-based and supported for 15 years now. This year’s theme is ‘Heart of the Reef’, and celebrates the beauty and power of the Whitsunday area’s number one natural attraction: the Great Barrier Reef.

What’s Happening at the 2015 Whitsunday Reef Festival?

To get things started with a bang, fireworks kick off the Festival on the Airlie Beach Foreshore August 31st, followed by a street party along Main Street. The biggest events (and family favourites) at the festival happen throughout the week, including the Rotary Street Parade, Schweppes Recyclable Regatta, Telstra Family Fun Day, and the Comedy Gala. From fashion to laughs, there’s always something going on at the festival. The Rotary Street Parade is essentially a giant, rocking street party. Festival-goers of all ages gather along Main Street as the parade passes by, filled with unique and inventive floats created by local Whitsunday and Queensland businesses, schools, and community organisations. Join in the festive action and decide which parade float is your favourite. Afterwards, dance to the music as major entertainers take to the stage. Sunday’s Telstra Family Fun Day is not to be missed. Laughter, bright colours, and shouts of joy are what you’ll experience on this vibrant and carefree day of activities. The entire family can join in to a variety of exciting competitions and races, including a sack race and even a selfie contest, for those who are technologically savvy. Circus performers will be roaming about entertaining guests, and children (and adults) can get their faces painted as well. For an aerial view of our gorgeous region, take to the air in a helicopter joy ride. These are happening from 9-5 on Saturday August 1st. Midway through the festival, you can explore the Whitsunday Wanderings Photographic Exhibition, held at the Whitsunday Marine Club in Cannonvale. The photographs here are certain to delight and inspire. Take some time here to appreciate the scenic splendour of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The Recyclable Regatta closes out the Whitsunday Reef Festival on August 9th. This hilarious and creative event sees participants racing through the water on hand-crafted vessels made entirely from recyclable materials. Be sure to attend for a truly unique experience. The Whitsunday Reef Festival is a great reason to make plans to visit the Whitsundays. Before or after your festival experience, why not extend your holiday with a fantastic yacht charter? Contact Queensland Yacht Charters today for more information on creating an unforgettable Whitsunday sailing holiday.