Budget — Whitsundays

Whitsundays is premium budget — Hamilton Island and Hayman are among Australia's most expensive destinations. Reference budget €220/day/person for a comfort stay.

Accommodation (50-60%): Airlie Beach dorm hostel AUD 15-50/night, Airlie Beach 3* hotel AUD 100-200, Airlie Beach 4* hotel AUD 200-400. Hamilton Island: Palm Bungalows AUD 250-450/night, Reef View Hotel AUD 350-700, Beach Club (adults) AUD 600-1,200, Qualia (ultra-premium adults only) AUD 800-2,500. Hayman Island One&Only Hayman AUD 1,500-3,500 all-inclusive. Daydream Island Resort AUD 250-500/night.

Food (15-20%): Airlie Beach restaurants AUD 25-50/person, Hamilton Island restaurants AUD 50-100/person (Bommie Yacht Club restaurant AUD 80-120/person, Coca Chu AUD 60-90), Qualia gourmet AUD 150-300/person. Breakfast included in most resort packages.

Cruises and excursions (25-35%, the biggest post): shared 2-3 day sailing cruise AUD 400-800/person, Whitehaven Beach day excursion AUD 200-300, Outer Reef Hardy Reef excursion AUD 230-300, Heart Reef panoramic flight AUD 200-400, bottle diving AUD 200-300 for 2 dives with lunch, whale watching AUD 200-300.

Transport: Sydney-Hamilton Island flight AUD 200-400 return, Melbourne-Hamilton AUD 250-450, Brisbane-Hamilton AUD 180-300, Cairns-Hamilton AUD 150-300. Sydney-Whitsunday Coast (PPP) flight AUD 180-350 return (continental alternative). Hamilton-Airlie ferry 30 min AUD 50-90 return. Whitsunday Coast (PPP)-Airlie Beach bus AUD 20 return.

3-night couple estimate in shared sailing cruise + 1 night Airlie: €1,800-2,800/couple. 4-night Hamilton Island in Reef View Hotel + excursions estimate: €3,500-5,500/couple. Hayman Island ultra-premium: €8,000-15,000/couple for 4 nights.