Economy  

Boasting a strong and diverse economy driven by the $1.3B mining, $1.5B tourism and $910M agricultural industries, the Whitsunday Region has the potential to become an economic powerhouse of North Queensland.

Due to the strength of the local economy, the region’s population is expected to exceed the State’s annual growth rate, resulting in a resident population of 50,000 by 2036 with just under 5 million visitor nights each year.

The Whitsunday economy is well connected to major trading centres with the Bruce Highway the major transport corridor running from Mackay in the South to Townsville in the North. The region is also home to 2 major airports with weekly flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  

 Several Priority Projects are currently progressing or are in planning, including:  

  • Abbot Point SDA Development
  • Bowen Marine ‘Centre of Excellence’
  • Bowen Orbital Space Port (BOS) / Gilmore Space Technologies
  • Heart of the Reef Discovery Centre
  • Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
  • Tassal Group Limited Proserpine Prawn Farm
  • Urannah Dam
  • Water for Bowen
  • Whitsunday Skyway Project

For targeted statistical information about our region, using the latest available data, please visit our Economy ID economic profile.

For further information, contact a member of our Economic Development Team at info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au, or on 1300 972 753.