Whitsunday Islands, Australia: South Molle Island

South Molle Island is in the heart of the Whitsunday group, it is 8 kilometres north – east of Shute Harbour (20 minutes by launch) or a 30 minute launch ride from Hamilton Island. South Molle is the largest of a small group of ‘Molle Islands’ which are virtually joined; it is possible to walk across to Mid Molle almost all of the time.

South Molle is very pretty, apart from the spectacular sandy white beaches, the 420 hectares of Nation Park has a number of hills which provide beautiful walks with stunning views over the sweeping grasslands and pockets of rainforest below. There are many walking tracks (over 16 kilometres) including those that take you up Mount Jefferies (194 metres), Lamond Hill (133 metres) or The Horn (176 metres).

South Molle Island has a resort which offers a variety of accommodation and facilities for about 6oo guests. There are beachfront cabins or family style units overlooking the golf course, National Park or tropical gardens. There are feasts, banquets and – la – carte meals to choose from. And many activities including golf, squash, cycling, day or night tennis, a gym, dingy hire, sailing, wind surfing, waterskiing, boat trips to the Reef, and scuba diving. At night there are live bands to listen to and a Polynesian show; many activities are free, including a Free Kids Club in the holiday season.

The local Aborigines called the Island Whyrriba, they used to quarry the Island for the hard stone which they used to make their weapons. Captain Cook was the first white man to explore the area in 1770, and record his findings. It was named Molle Island by Lieutenant Jefferies in 1815, after the Governor of New South Wales. Today, the name Molle Island means a wonderful, wonderful holiday destination in the heart of paradise, to many people.