Hayman Island sits at the northern end of the Whitsundays and has long been associated with luxury travel. Most visitors know it through the resort rather than independent exploration, but the surrounding water and island views are undeniably beautiful.
It is worth knowing about even if you are not staying there, because many scenic flights and boat routes use the island as a visual marker. The appeal is polished and expensive rather than adventurous; backpackers will usually be happier using Airlie Beach as their base.