Shute Harbour Restoration Project

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Aerial of Completed Terminal - December 2021


The Shute Harbour Marine Terminal reopened to the public in mid December 2021.

From 1 December 2021, tours and ferry services began operating from the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. A range of resort connections, tours and experiences are available at Shute Harbour, including:

  • Cruise Whitsundays
  • SeaLink
  • Reefstar Cruises
  • Explore Hamilton Island
  • Ocean Rafting
  • Pioneer Adventures
  • Island Transfers
  • Whitsunday Island Camping Connection
  • Salty Dog Sea Kayaking


The overall $63.5 million restoration project has seen a complete rebuild of the seawall, terminal, pontoons and carpark at the Shute Harbour marine facility. The new seawall has raised the level of the entire facility and carpark by an extra metre for greater resilience to storm surge in the future.

Eligible works received joint funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).


Community Consultation 2017

In 2017, Council asked what the community feels is important for the future of Shute Harbour. View the Consultation Summary here.

By getting input from the community, Council could future-proof the area and budget appropriately for any upcoming developments at Shute Harbour.





The Shute Harbour Marine Terminal reopened to the public in mid December 2021.

From 1 December 2021, tours and ferry services began operating from the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. A range of resort connections, tours and experiences are available at Shute Harbour, including:

  • Cruise Whitsundays
  • SeaLink
  • Reefstar Cruises
  • Explore Hamilton Island
  • Ocean Rafting
  • Pioneer Adventures
  • Island Transfers
  • Whitsunday Island Camping Connection
  • Salty Dog Sea Kayaking


The overall $63.5 million restoration project has seen a complete rebuild of the seawall, terminal, pontoons and carpark at the Shute Harbour marine facility. The new seawall has raised the level of the entire facility and carpark by an extra metre for greater resilience to storm surge in the future.

Eligible works received joint funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).


Community Consultation 2017

In 2017, Council asked what the community feels is important for the future of Shute Harbour. View the Consultation Summary here.

By getting input from the community, Council could future-proof the area and budget appropriately for any upcoming developments at Shute Harbour.




Do you have a question for the project team? You can ask it here and we will get back to you. What you write can be viewed by everyone.

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    When will the public boat ramp at Shute harbour reopen

    Jim asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Jim,

    The public boat ramp at Shute Harbour will reopen in early December 2021. From 1 December 2021, tours and ferry services will be operating from the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. The Terminal will be officially open to the public from 15 December 2021. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    How many free trailer parking spots are in the lower car park area?

    Allan asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Allan,

    Boat trailer parking is available in the upper carpark and along Shute Harbour Road, as it was before the cyclone.

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Will the bee boat ramp be open by Christmas 2021 ? Thank you

    Pedley asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Pedley,

    Yes, the boat ramp should be open by Christmas 2021. The new terminal is expected to be operational from 1 December, including ferry services and tourism operators. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Hi, any update on the expected opening date and increased ferry/tour services?

    AngelaO asked over 2 years ago

    Hi AngelaO,

    Thanks for your query. The new terminal is expected to be operational from 1 December, including ferry services and tourism operators. A new website will be launched soon which will have links to timetables, reservation bookings and other key information for passengers and guests.  

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Hi,I am wondering if the ramp I can see from the Shute harbour lookout is the finished article. A pontoon that doesn't float restricts the area to one boat launched at a time unless you walk into the water to tie your boat up while you park car and trailer. I find this unsafe, especially for those boaties with young families. Looking at the other great upgrades of this development, the boat ramp detracts from this area.

    Ross asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Ross,

    Thanks for your query. Yes, the Queensland Government recently finished an upgrade to this ramp to improve the recreational boat launching facilities in the Whitsundays. Any queries about the boat ramp design should be directed to Maritime Safety Queensland. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Hi In the past it has been possible to launch up to three vessels at once tide depending but certainly three vessel have been able to be in the holding bay and two cars on the ramp. Can you please advise where in Queensland an identical ramp is successfully being used in a similar environment? Will a demonstration be done to clarify the use of the ramp with multiple vessels. Thanks

    Shute Harbour Resident000 asked over 2 years ago

    Hi, thanks for your query.

    The public boat ramp at Shute Harbour is currently closed to the public and will reopen once construction of the new marine terminal is completed later this year. The Queensland Government recently completed an upgrade to this ramp to improve the recreational boat launching facilities in the Whitsundays. Any queries about the boat ramp should be directed to Maritime Safety Queensland. Find out more on their website.

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Hi would you know what date the shute harbour boat ramp opens to the public

    Micheal asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Micheal,

    The public boat ramp at Shute Harbour is currently closed to the public and will reopen once construction of the new marine terminal is completed later this year. We can't confirm a date at this stage. 

    The public boat ramps at the Port of Airlie, Coral Sea Marina and Whisper Bay in Cannonvale remain open. A temporary access ramp is available at Muddy Bay, Shute Harbour, for those who need to access their moorings throughout the duration of the project. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    Is this project still finishing in mid September, when will we be able to use the fishing jetty, will the carparking be available near the fishing jetty as my son is disabled and he cannot walk far to go fishing. will the carparking be free or will the council charge like at the foreshore

    Adele asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Adele,

    Thank you for your query. The Shute Harbour Marine Terminal is expected to reopen to the public by the end of 2021, weather permitting. Once the site is reopened the fishing jetty will also reopen to the public. 

    Part of the upgrade includes a carpark along the lower level near the terminal building and fishing jetty. Council has not made a decision yet about the parking however it is expected that any fees and charges for the new carpark will be in line with other council carparks.

    Thanks, WRC Team 

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    Hi where planning a trip up north and hoping that ramp is finished or part use is available. I'll be there 20 August to 27th August. Thank you for your reply.

    Adrian asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Adrian,

    The public boat ramp at Shute Harbour is currently closed to the public and will reopen once construction of the new marine terminal is completed later this year. The Department of Transport and Main Roads recently completed an upgrade to this ramp to improve the recreational boat launching facilities in the Whitsundays. Find out more on the Maritime Safety website. 

    The public boat ramps at the Port of Airlie, Coral Sea Marina and Whisper Bay in Cannonvale remain open. A temporary access ramp is available at Muddy Bay, Shute Harbour, for those who need to access their moorings throughout the duration of the project. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

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    I can't find a map that shows where the temporary boat ramp is to launch a boat at Shute harbour. Shute Harbour is the closest & safest ramp with access to the islands for smaller boats in windy weather. It is a long way to tow a boat for a holiday only to find you can't launch from a sheltered harbour with a short hop from island to island.

    Dennis asked almost 3 years ago

    Hi Dennis,

    Thanks for your enquiry. The Muddy Bay temporary boat ramp is located near the Hamilton Island logistics terminal, and has been established for access to yachts moored in the bay at Shute Harbour. It is only accessible via 4WD and at the higher end of the tide. The public boat ramp will reopen once the State Government upgrade of the ramp has been completed. 

    Thanks, WRC Team