THE clean-up has begun at one of the state’s tourism icons in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

Whitehaven Beach, regularly named as one of the world’s most spectacular beaches, was smashed by the cyclone and rangers now face a massive recovery job restoring it to its former glory.

The Whitsundays gem attracts hordes of tourists each year eager to walk on its pristine white silica sands and swim in its beautiful blue waters.

Debris and uprooted trees can be seen scattered across the beach after it took a direct hit from Cyclone Debbie.

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“There is a significant amount of debris scattered across Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands National Park,” Environment Minister Steven Miles said.

“Whitehaven Beach is often cited as the best beach in Australia and one of the top 20 beaches in the world from a visitor perspective, so it’s vitally important we get it cleaned up as a priority.”