Two tourists remain seriously injured in hospital, after two shark attacks in less than 24 hours in Queensland’s Whitsundays.

A 12-year-old girl was mauled on the thigh yesterday afternoon, less than a day after a 46-year-old woman was also attacked in the area while snorkeling.

Both were airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital to undergo emergency surgery.

The 12-year-old Victorian was rescued by helicopter from Cid Harbour in the Whitsunday Islands on Thursday afternoon after being bitten on the upper leg.

The Australian reports the Victorian family, the girl, her parents and two siblings were on holiday when the attack occurred.

On Wednesday evening, Justine Barwick, 46, was also mauled off the same island while snorkeling.

Ms Barwick, a mother of two, was flown to Brisbane on Thursday evening for medical treatment.