Whitsunday Islands, Australia: Conway Beach And National Park
Conway beach can be reached by taking the Shute Harbour Road from Proserpine. Visitors travel east for about 5 km, and then turn left at Mt Julian, followed by a right turn at Allen’s Road, and this will lead down to this ideal spot which is just north of the mouth of the Proserpine River in Repulse Bay. There is a caravan park and a store here for travellers who want to stay, and each year Conway holds a Christmas Craft Fair on the last Sunday in November. This market attracts large crowds, about 10,000 people each year and is well worth a visit.The other main attraction of the area is the 22,500 ha Conway Nation Park. This Park stretches between Mackay and Bowen, taking in 35km of coastline which offer views out across the Whitsunday Passage. Also included in the park is a large peninsula which is made up of the Conway Range. The Park can not be reached from Conway Township. When coming from Airlie Beach it is wise to follow the Shute Harbour Road south east for 6 km (past the Whitsunday Information Centre). This leads to the Conway picnic ground. Limited Camping facilities are available but a permit must be obtained in advance.
Conway National Park has many walking tracks ranging in length from 1km to 16km. They can take you through lowland rainforest, mangroves or open forest and many have spectacular views of the ocean and its islands. Some walks reveal the Proserpine Rock Wallabies (particularly early or late in the day) or disclose some of the beautiful orchids which are found in the park. For many years the Ngaro and Gia people roamed the forests and lived amongst these beautiful things which are now protected, along with the adjacent waters. Walks start from the picnic area, or Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach.
Conway Beach and National Park are both wonderful places to visit, if it happens to be the last weekend in November, it may be a little more crowded, but the Christmas market would defiantly be an added bonus.