The 2024 Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival is back! We have detailed the Itinerary below to help you get the most out of your Reef Festival. Don’t forget to hashtag your social posts so we can see what a fun-filled festival you had!
THURSDAY
Get into the ‘reef’ frame of mind with Immersive Reef Trivia hosted by James Unsworth, Master Reef Guide and Coral Sea Marina. A fun, fact filled evening full of marina trivia and some awesome underwater footage of marine wildlife and their unique behaviours. Experience the reef through the eyes of a super-fan.
Immersive Reef Journey – 6 pm – 8 pm at Lure, Coral Sea Marina. Food truck will be available from 5:00pm so grab some good before it starts and enjoy the sunset over the water.
The Reef Experience with Master Reef Guides Reef Cruise Day arrives. Head to Cruise Whitsundays’ terminal for a 07.30 am check in, and by 8am, you’ll be cruising through the Whitsunday Islands on your way to Reefworld at Hardy Reef. Your immersive reef experience starts on the boat, where hopefully you will encounter whales on your travels, with the Whitsundays a well-known whale nursery and birthing ground – you’ll be blown away by the things you’ll learn about The Whitsundays marine area on your experience. Tickets to the Master Reef Guided Day are limited.
Friday night is the long awaited Fireworks on the Foreshore, but the festival doesn’t just fire off fireworks and call it a night; tonight’s itinerary is fun, and we can’t wait to start.
Starting at the Garden Bar the Coral Sea Marina Lantern Parade commences at 6 pm, a parade of homemade lanterns will journey along the Bicentennial Boardwalk to join the fun at Airlie Beach Foreshore, where parklands transform into the biggest party of the year!
The main stage will host headline act Conrad Sewell an australian singer, song writer preceded by DJ Charly Templar and local rock band Gleezus, to help you dance the night away. While away some time at the market stalls and grab some dinner at the food trucks followed by a drink at the foreshore bar with front-row seat to the fireworks at 8.30 pm.
There is more fun off-shore If you’d rather view your fireworks from the water, on Cruise Whitsundays Camira Twilight Firework Cruise, chill and take in the sunset, cruise past Airlie Beach sampling charcuterie and a cold drink, you’ll feel as if its a firework display for one. Get in quick as tickets are booking up.
Back on land we have a new event, come check out ‘A taste for Treason‘ Cocktail Party at the Bali Hut, enjoy Margaritas and sensory canapes to the sounds of DJ Bad Girl, one of many spots from which to enjoy the fireworks.
Saturday
The Main Street Fun starts at 10am and will run all day with various events happening in the main street and at the Main Stage area in the evening. What’s on today?
- 10 am – Enzed Whitsundays Revvin the Reef Car Show
- Roving Street Performers, Body and Street Art, Gym and Cheer Leader demo’s, Kids got talent
- Beach Plaza Art Exhibition
- 2 pm Judging – Junior Art Competition – Brigitte Peel Art Studio
- 3 pm – Wilmar Sugar Wearable Arts Parade
- 4 pm – Coral Fire Magic Mile
- 5 pm – Rotary Street Parade
- 6 pm – Beats on the Beach with live music
Get in early to claim your spot on the main street for the iconic reef themed Rotary Street parade as great seats go early, the parade starts at 5pm from the top of the main street. Everyone gets involved in this parade; including school kids, local newspapers, local businesses and festival sponsors. The most anticipated event for two decades!
After a full day of partying, you’ll be pleased to know there’s more on tonight! Head through to the Main Stage area where the entertainment will be dialled up with great bands and the food plentiful. You can party it up as tomorrow doesnt start until 9.30 am.
SUNDAY
The Whitsunday Escape Recyclable Regatta is the first event of the day at 9.30 am, with vessels built entirely from recyclable materials and paddled by the finest kids, yachtsmen and women. This event could double as a comedy show, come and watch the many yachting disasters on these homemade crafts – capsizes, vessels falling apart, and team members jumping ship!
The Ark Energy Family Fun Day will start at 10am at the Main Stage area; an exciting morning for families – as the kid’s get involved with the many Reef Education stalls and participate in the games – an interactive fun reef learning experience with a Treasure Hunt and prizes for the winner. There will plenty of fun activities to keep the kids amused, Juggling, and a variety of workshops including Circus and DJ workshops with DJ Charly Templar. The food trucks will also open from 10am, with the bar and music from 12 noon.
Take a closer look around the Immerse Art Installation, the highlight is the large whale and calf around the decades-old fig tree amongst the underwater world.
Listen to live music and chill over a beer or wine and laze the afternoon away, then it’s time to head home for a quick relax before kicking on at the afterparty.
Itinerary Recap
This year’s Great Barrier Reef Festival is jam-packed with activities and attractions too keep even the most energetic person entertained! Here’s a brief run down of everything that’s on: