What can you say about Hayman Island that hasn't already been said? The main thing is that it lives up to its reputation. Movie stars and famous musicians (think Billy Joel, Elton John, etc) holiday here. I recently saw three celebs in two days. It's expensive, but you won't want for a thing.

With the best location in Airlie Beach, this resort is the only one with absolute water frontage. Sit on a hammock on your own private veranda and watch yachts on the water just a stone's throw away. The restaurant offers some of the best seafood meals in the whole region.

Lindeman Island has nothing on except Club Med, which means your family's about as safe as they're ever going to be. The resort is now 18 years old so some of the furnishings are a little dated, but for old fashioned family fun in the sun, it's impossible to beat. You won't even need cash — they use beads as "currency".

Reefsleep has to be one of the most isolated "hotels" in the entire world. Set on a pontoon miles out to sea from Airlie Beach on the Great Barrier Reef, you'll be left with just a deck steward and the creatures of the sea all night long. Don't waste it on the family; this experience should be for couples only.

One of the smallest islands in the Whitsundays, you can walk around Daydream Island in the time it takes for your morning cuppa to brew! But this is one cute place to stay — you can see whales at play from your front balcony, and Lover's Cove is very romantic. The spa also has the best outlook of possibly any spa in Australia.

If you want to stay on one of the 74 islands of the Whitsundays but don't have the budget for Hayman Island or Daydream Island, South Molle Island Resort is your answer. It's gone through several owners in the past few years but now it's emerged as an affordable island resort that offers visitors everything you'd expect for far less money (with the emphasis on the 18-35 year-old market). One of the oldest resort islands in the Whitsundays, South Molle is actually made up primarily of National Park, with 16 kilometres of walking tracks offering the best view in the entire Whitsundays. You can also find yourself a deserted private bay to swim at and there's great off-shore reefs to snorkel at. You can also play golf, tennis, go jet skiing, water skiing or try your hand at sailing or windsurfing.

Get out of Airlie Beach and stay on your own beach in the middle of nowhere (just 45 minutes out of Airlie, that is). Stay in a detached cabin that's a 30-second walk from the water, but still in the middle of Aussie bush. It's not five-star, but the isolation it offers is unsurpassed.

Another of the newest places to stay at in Airlie Beach is the four and a half star Summit Apartments — they're in the foothills of the Conway National Park — meaning you'll feel as if you're in the bush, but every apartment has a stunning view over the ocean and you're still just 12 minutes walk from the main street of Airlie Beach so you shouldn't forget where you are. The apartments are self-contained with kitchen and laundry facilities meaning you can save some money by cooking your own food. They even offer long term rentals at reduced rates if you really, really like Airlie Beach!

For a cheap accommodation option that's close to everything, it's hard to go past Beaches. You can reserve a private double room, or you can chance a dorm room for $25 a night. It's one of the few backpacker places where you won't have to sleep on bunk beds.

This is a cheap accommodation option that will keep you satisfied. Set amongst some nice tropical gardens, the accommodation is Fijian-style and is clean and comfortable. You can stay in dorm rooms from $28 a night or get your own room for $72.