4 BEST Hideaway Bay Beaches: A Complete Guide

A short drive north of Airlie Beach, Hideaway Bay (also spelled Hydeaway Bay) absolutely lives up to its name!

Hydeaway Bay features 4 famous Australian beaches, and although still relatively unknown, these isolated stretches of paradise are easily accessible on foot or by car.

I recommend spending at least two days exploring the area and perhaps even booking a night or two at Montes Reef Resort if you can’t tear yourself away from this peaceful place. 

In this guide, I have put together a list of the 4 Best Hideaway Bay Beaches, including where to find them and what to expect.

WHERE IS HIDEAWAY BAY & HOW TO GET THERE

Hydeaway Bay is approximately a 45 minutes drive north of Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland.

Take the Gregory-Cannon Valley Road to Dingo Beach Hydeaway Bay Road, and then don’t miss the turn to Hydeaway Bay Drive.

Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

It’s best to have your own vehicle to visit all of the Hideaway Bay Beaches as public transportation options are few and far between.

OVERVIEW – HIDEAWAY BAY BEACHES

Upon arriving at Hydeaway Bay, it’s best to visit the beaches in the following order;

1. Nelly Bay Beach
2. Dingo Beach
3. Hideaway Bay Beach
4. Montes Reef Resort & Beach

NELLY BAY BEACH

Nelly Bay Beach is the first stop on this Hideaway Bay Beaches itinerary, located right below Dingo Beach.

This beach features a fascinating coral reef and for those who want to take their chances, a snorkeling encounter with some parrotfishes and turtles is definitely on the cards.

If you explore the area, you’ll soon discover the Nelly Bay settlement. In the 1980s, the government decided to start a major marina project here, which up until this day, is still ongoing.

Nelly Bay Beach is without a doubt the perfect place to unwind during your visit. The aqua-blue waters will blow you out of your socks.

You can go for a snorkel around the magnificent reef or drop your towel in the sand and enjoy the view in front of you, with the magnificent Whitsundays in the background.

DINGO BEACH

Dingo Beach is located just north of Nelly Bay Beach and is the second stop on your Hideaway Bay beach-hopping journey.

Dingo Beach features a 2km long stretch of sand and there is easy 4WD access if you wish to take a drive along the shoreline.

This particular location feels like a world away with its peaceful, quiet ambiance. 

Dingo Beach also features a boat ramp, where you can jump on a boat if you want to discover the Whitsunday area.

What more do you need as Dingo Beach pretty much sums up the definition of paradise!

HIDEAWAY BAY BEACH

Hideaway Bay Beach boasts 1.5 kilometers of long white sand, and it’s the main attraction for the majority of visitors to the area.

This beach offers a great view of Gloucester Island, which is located only a couple of kilometers offshore.

If you’re curious to discover Gloucester Island, no problem! You can easily reach the island by boat from the nearby Dingo Beach.

Without a doubt, Hydeaway Bay Beach gives you a permanent holiday feel. The beach itself is quiet, calm, and scenic, and the colors of the water are really off the chart.

Take your picnic basket by hand, go for a walk on the beach, dip your feet in the cold water, and have a lovely picnic under one of the many shady trees.

After lunch, you can work on your tan or go for a swim in the crystal waters. Just be wary of stingrays and marine stingers during the summer months.

MONTES REEF RESORT & BEACH

Last but not least on this guide to the best Hideaway Bay Beaches is Montes Reef Resort & Beach which is located just 10 minutes drive from Hydeaway Bay Beach.

You may also want to consider booking a stay at Montes Reef Resort where you can enjoy one or two nights in one of their many beautiful suites.

In the morning, you’ll be able to soak in a stunning Whitsunday sunrise from your balcony.

RELATED ARTICLE → 10 THINGS TO DO IN HAMILTON ISLAND

Nearby is the Montes Reef Resort which houses two great restaurants, Montes Beach Front Restaurant and the Oar Restaurant where you can grab something to eat and drink, each offering a wide range of mouthwatering meals and cold beverages.

If you’re eager to go exploring, you’ll soon discover that there’s a little cute coconut tree located on the beach, with some big mountains in the background.

Climb the coconut tree and shoot some Instagram-worthy pictures, which will leave all your followers speechless!

BEST TIME TO VISIT HIDEAWAY BAY

The best time to visit is from July to September. This is the favorite season among locals as the days are sunny but a bit cooler.

Just be aware of the marine stingers that can typically be found in the waters along the east coast of Australia and favor warm, clear water.

The stinger season in Australia runs from November to May, which makes it more difficult to swim in the Whitsunday area waters.

If you wish to go for a snorkel (or just a quick cooling-off swim) during the stinger season, I would advise you to wear a stinger suit.

HIDEAWAY BAY MAP

WHAT TO PACK FOR HIDEAWAY BAY

When visiting Hideaway Bay, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.

FINAL THOUGHTS – HYDEAWAY BAY

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

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