Whitsunday vs Fiji (yasawa) - if you had to choose!!??

HI all,
We are just about to book our flights for 10 week trip to Japan and Argentina with a 2 week stop in Fiji (like the sound of Yasawa group - Nacula and Waya) BUT someone has just suggested it is a shame to skip Oz and that Whitsunday might be a better option!?? It has really thrown the cat among the pigeons... we need to get our flights booked asap!!

We have a 2 year old son (he is very chilled out - not an annoying, screaming toddler at all) and are after the whole blissed out, secluded beach thing with snorkeling off the beach, an opportunity to take my shoes off for a couple of weeks, some rustic culture (maybe a little commnity visit, possibly a local market), good food, but not packed with tourists, little coves, little walks etc.
Does anyone have an opinion? Japan and Argentina won't be big on beaches so this is our one hit of beaches and sunshine on the trip - it needs to count!
All opinions welcomed.
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One word: Fiji!

Hey Nigel,
Thanks for that>.. not Fijian are you!? Only joking - have you been to both?

Nah, far from it. Irish :)
Yes I've been to both, I live in Oz.
However I can tell you that the Yasawas & Mamanucas is near perfection in terms of beaches, little islands, pure paradise etc.
Check out Monuriki island in the Mamanucas, where they filmed 'Castaway'.

Whitsundays is different, a bit more expensive, but also quite good.

I would definitely choose Fiji if I had to!
Snorkelling/diving is also better, if that's your thing...

north queensland is much more westernised, obviously, than 3rd world fiji, the 3 to5 star resorts in the Whitsundays are larger and more like british summer camps as opposed to fijian totally chill and lounge around resorts none to 5 star resorts and no shoes or cars or other western typicals, the yasawas only have about one 5 star resort the rest are way more charmingly downmarket. With Fiji you'll get another culture into your visit but Oz will show you that side of quintessential Australian life. 2 weeks is a pretty long time doing near on nothing in Fiji though. ive been there lots over the years and being so relaxing i find a short week there is like 10days elsewhere.