Long Island - Culture and History

The first European to explore the area was Captain James Cook who travelled through the area on his journey up the eastern coast of Australia in 1770. He passed through Whitsunday passage, a narrow channel which lies between the mainland coast, South Molle and Daydream Islands to the west and Dent, Whitsunday, Hook and Hayman Islands to the east, on Sunday 4 June which happened to be Whit Sunday (the seventh Sunday after easter) - hence the name of the area.

Long Island, with the exception of Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge, is regarded as a budget destination. It has a number of resorts which promote themselves as 'getting away from it all' locations. For example the Palm Bay Resort proudly announces 'you won't find loud bands, large groups of people or discotheques.' Located in a tropical wilderness it promotes its smallness and its secluded location as its major attractions. Equally Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge boasts that it is the most secluded resort in the Whitsundays.

The Crocodile Club (previously known as Whitsunday 100 and Contiki Resort) is a far cry from the old (and wild) 18-35 year olds resorts which were famous for their all night dance parties.

There is a nice myth (maybe it is fact) about a sunken Spanish galleon off the coast of Long Island. The sternpost and prow of an old timber ship has reputedly been sighted off the coast of the island and this has given rise to speculation. The legend has been further fuelled by stories of an Aboriginal tale about the crew of a ship being wrecked near the island and a local farmer claiming that he had found coins washed up on a beach.