Whitsundays
Safety test found upgrade used in army helicopter crash ‘unacceptable’
Concerns were flagged about a helmet used by MRH-90 Taipan pilots the night of a fatal crash after a test found a software upgrade posed an “unacceptable” risk, an inquiry has been told.
- by Tess Ikonomou
Latest
Cyclone crews race north as authorities caution on long-weekend plans
The low has now been declared a cyclone that’s expected to start battering tourist hotspots within hours, with SEQ in for a lashing.
- by Matt Dennien
Human remains found after army helicopter crash
Lieutenant-General Greg Bilton said a “further debris field” had been found in the sea near Hamilton Island that was consistent with a catastrophic, high-impact crash.
- by Matthew Knott
‘Catastrophic impact’: Opposition wants Taipans retired sooner after four deaths
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the search-and-rescue mission off the Queensland coast has become a recovery operation.
- by Matthew Knott and Ben Cubby
Troubled Taipans expected to fly again after crash: army chief
Simon Stuart says he expects the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter to remain in use until its scheduled retirement next year despite Friday’s crash.
- by Matthew Knott
Updated
Defence
‘Willing to do anything for anyone’: Friend’s tribute to crash victim
The four Defence Force aircrew missing after Friday night’s MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crash near Lindeman Island have been identified.
- by Julie Power and Sarah McPhee
Does Australia’s ‘mind-blowingly beautiful’ beach live up to the hype?
Blue water fizzes onto white sand so soft it feels like icing sugar, but the real appeal of Whitehaven Beach isn’t the beach at all.
- by Brian Johnston
Airlie Beach, Whitsundays: How COVID transformed this former backpacker party town for the better
"COVID might be the best thing that ever happened to Airlie Beach," says one local.
- by Craig Platt
Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort: Iconic Queensland resort is still at the top of its game
A lot's changed in the three years since the unveiling of Hayman's $135 million makeover following a devastating Category 4 cyclone.
- by Sheriden Rhodes
Nine must-do highlights of Airlie Beach, Queensland
Many towns like to describe themselves as "the gateway to" a place more spectacular, but Airlie Beach really is the gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
- by Craig Platt
Opinion
Travel
Love island, hate island: But I’m not here to slam Dunk
For better or worse, we’ve all been to the Queensland islands. But very few of us have bought one.
- by Kerri Sackville