Greenpeace has joined a protest against plans to mine shale oil on the north Queensland coast.

The Greenpeace boat Esperanza will dock at Airlie Beach on Sunday as part of a campaign promoting renewable energies.

Climate and energy campaigner Simon Roz says Queensland’s solar and wind resources are the key to a sustainable future.

“The State Government needs to map out these resources so Queenslanders really know what’s available and this is the sort of long-term solution that will provide long-term benefits for these communities,” he said.

“There’s a global gold rush towards renewable energy and Australia and Queensland are missing out.”

Mr Roz says there are no local or national benefits to the mine.

“The Whitsundays is a globally iconic tourism destination and developing a giant open cut mine with all the associated health impacts, dust and noise pollution - not to mention the enormous amounts of greenhouse pollution that it would cause - I would image that local residents would have good cause to be very upset,” he said.