As the gateway to the world renowned Great Barrier Reef and the magnificent 74 Whitsunday Islands, the Whitsunday Region has one of the fastest growing populations in Queensland.

Boasting a strong and diverse economy driven by the tourism, agriculture and mining industries, the Whitsunday Region has the potential to become the economic powerhouse of North Queensland.

Due to the strength of the local economy, the region’s population is expected to exceed the State’s annual growth rate, resulting in a resident population of 50,000 by 2037, and a visitor population of just under 5 million people each year.

Whitsunday Regional Council is creating a new economy, which will see massive capital investment into our Whitsunday Coast Airport, the redevelopment of Shute Harbour, Bowen’s Marine Centre of Excellence, water security for the entire region, connection with international markets and investment opportunities.

The Bruce Highway is the major transport corridor running from Mackay in the South to Townsville in the North, and the region is less than two hours by air from the Queensland state capital of Brisbane.

The Whitsunday Region Economic Profile details a wide range of statistical information about our region, using the latest available data. The user-friendly tool allows users to drill down to specific segments, compare benchmarks and identify trends over time – all of which can be downloaded for your convenience.