Conway National Park I tend to be very thrifty which can get difficult while on vacation.

There is nothing worse than not completely enjoying a scenic helicopter ride because you’re still gritting your teeth about the cost. The Whitsunday Islands are definitely not a cheap place to vacation but also not a place you want to miss out on.

If you are like me, I have some great advice for you: Go to Conway National Park!

My family and I planned on spending 10 days/9 nights in the Whitsundays. This is more than enough time to see the beauty of the islands and relax. I got the idea to spend the last 3 days camping at Conway, which is worth a trip in its own right.

Not only did this really save us a lot of money (which got spent splurging on great meals, tours, etc), I actually enjoyed camping more than staying in a hotel. Conway National Park surrounds the Whitsunday Passage and you get these amazing views right across the water.

There are beautiful tropical plants in the lowland rainforest. We even saw quite a few wallabies.

Even if you aren’t camping there, you should go on a walk through one of the many trails and have a picnic at one of the sites.

Before you can camp at Conway, you need to get a permit and pay the fees. You can do this online or by calling 13 13 04. They recommend that you book at least 6 weeks in advance and up to a year for holidays.

The park's vegetation is very similar to that on the Whitsunday Islands because thousands of years ago the sea level rose, drowning coastal valleys and creating the islands. For thousands of years, the Ngaro and Gia people roamed these forests, harvesting the riches of the forests and the adjoining sea country. Today the adjacent waters are protected in marine parks.

This 22,500ha park includes the rainforest-clad Conway Peninsula and protects the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Queensland outside Tropical North Queensland. Hoop pines grow on coastal ridges and in damp gullies, emerging above the rainforest canopy. Rugged, steep, rocky cliffs provide a spectacular 35km-long backdrop to the Whitsunday Passage and islands.

Camping

Bush camp beside a secluded, pebbly beach overlooking Daydream (West Molle) Island at the Swamp Bay camping area. This walk-in camping area is a 2.1km walk from the Swamp Bay/Mount Rooper carpark. You cannot access the camping area by car. A pit toilet, picnic tables and a shelter shed are provided. Take a fuel stove for cooking, as open fires are not permitted.

Bins are not provided so remember to pack a sealable container to take your rubbish with you when you leave.

No drinking water is available, so ensure you take at least five litres per person per day and extra for emergencies.

Other accommodation