Airlie Beach is the gateway to heavenly beaches in the Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, and the ideal place to base your operations in the Whitsunday region. And I’m telling you, this region is unrivalled. Here you can enjoy multi-day cruises, visit reefs directly from the beach, discover from the air why this is the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and much, much more.
Because of this, we encourage you to discover everything that Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday region has to offer. We can tell you in advance that Airlie Beach is the perfect town to buy souvenirs for your return home.
Airlie Beach itself is a resort-style coastal town located in the Whitsunday region. Airlie Beach has a population of just over 4,000. Perhaps more interesting than talking about Airlie Beach is talking about the Whitsunday region.
The Whitsunday region is considered the heart of North Queensland. A region famous for its pristine white sand beaches and clear blue seas, as well as rainforests and natural parks. The notable towns of the Whitsunday region are Bowen in the north, Collinsville in the west, and Airlie Beach in the south.
The traditional owners of the Whitsunday region are the Ngaro Aboriginal people also known as the “canoe people” because of their distinctive three-piece canoes or “winta”.
Airlie Beach has a subtropical climate, which means that it has calm weather all year round. However, as it is close to the far tropical north of Queensland, summers are hot and humid, especially in January. In September, the winds tend to blow strongly from the southeast, these are the so-called “mango winds”.
Therefore, the best time to visit the Whitsunday region and Airlie Beach is during spring, especially the months of October and November. These months will allow you to enjoy the spectacle of the views of the beaches and the sea. Swimming will still be safe in October. The jellyfish season starts in November.
Although, if you are doing the Queensland Pacific Coast Way, we recommend visiting the Whitsunday region in August- even though the water will be a little chilly, it will be completely safe to swim in, at least as far as jellyfish are concerned.
We know that the subject of visas can be somewhat confusing, especially for India, where obtaining one is an essential requirement for entry. In the article on how to obtain an Australian visa step by step (coming soon) you have information on how to apply for one online for up to 5 years.
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Nowadays, finding hotels, guesthouses, or restaurants with free Wi-Fi is pretty common. However, there are still those who prefer (or need) to stay connected at all times.
That’s why we’ll show you how to get an eSIM Australia card with internet— now also available with unlimited data.
The nearest airport to Airlie Beach is Proserpine Airport, located 20 kilometers from Airlie Beach. Proserpine Airport can be reached by direct flights from cities such as Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more interesting trip, you can take a small plane from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Hamilton Island Airport on the Great Barrier Reef. From there, it is as easy as taking a ferry to Airlie Beach.
The best way to get to Airlie Beach is by following the Queensland Pacific Coast Way in your own vehicle. For example, from Cairns the journey to Airlie Beach takes 7 and a half hours, from Mackay 2 hours, and from Rockhampton 5 and a half hours.
Another option to get to Airlie Beach is by train. The line to choose is Spirit of Queensland; from Brisbane the journey takes 18 hours and from Cairns 10 hours. The train will drop you off at Proserpine station, where you can take the RailBus Coach Connect to Airlie Beach.
A more difficult but much cheaper option than the train is the Greyhound bus. There are several direct options toAirlie Beach. From Brisbane the journey takes 19 hours, from Cairns 10, from Townsville 4, and from Rockhampton 6 and a half hours.
A lagoon with blue waters and freshly cut grass in the middle of Airlie Beach and completely free? Yes, it is just like it sounds. If you don’t fancy taking a boat to the beaches in the region, you can relax at the Airlie Beach Lagoon.
Here you can swim and sunbathe, accompanied by the gentle sea breeze. Because that’s another thing, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is located right next to the sea.
The best part of all? In our opinion, swimming without having to worry about jellyfish, sharks or crocodiles.
One of Queensland’s Great Walks, it takes you on a 27-kilometre walk along the breathtaking Whitsunday coastline. You will pass through lush rainforests, cross streams and creeks, and climb hills with incredible views. An amazing circuit that you can do in 3 days camping along the way or, if you’re really motivated, in just 6 hours.
However, if you have limited time, you can do short sections of this route through the Whitsunday region. We recommend the Kingfisher circuit or the Wompoo Walk.
The Whitsunday Coast is home to 74 different islands. A tropical paradise with crystal-clear blue waters and white sand beaches. But there’s more, the Whitsunday region is also known as “the heart of sailing”, one of the best places in the world to sail and a must-see on your Queensland Pacific Coast Way route.
Therefore, this may be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ocean by boat.
You can rent a sailboat on your own if you have previous experience, join a tour along the Whitsunday coast (we’ll give you some options of tours at the end) or, better yet, hire a skipper to take you wherever you want.
Yes, Bowen is one of the few towns on the Queensland Pacific Coast Way where you can snorkel right off the beach. No need to take a boat to coral reefs or a ferry to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. In Bowen, it’s as easy as visiting one of its beaches (our favourite is Horseshoe Bay) and with your mask and snorkel, jumping into the water!
Not bad at all, right?! The beaches of Bowen are quite beautiful, with white sands, calm waters and reefs. Likewise, in Bowen you can go kayaking or SUP, go hiking or visit its viewpoints with incredible views.
Finally, it is important to mention that Bowen is located 1 hour from Airlie Beach heading north along the Queensland Pacific Coast Way.
Okay so, we recommend these waterfalls because they looked amazing when we saw them online. However, when we went to them, they were completely dry! A super sad sight, which happens during the dry winter months. Still, getting to them was pretty cool by driving through the forests, seeing kangaroos, and stopping at other nearby attractions.
But, if you go during the summer, you can’t miss visiting these waterfalls. These are the largest in the entire Whitsunday region. Apparently, they are amazing waterfalls perfect for escaping the heat and cooling off in their waters.
Cedar Creek Falls are located between Airlie Beach and Proserpine.
This is a hidden gem located on the peninsula north of Airlie Beach. You won’t find hotels and resorts like in Airlie Beach here, in fact; quite the opposite. The area is undeveloped so you can enjoy deserted beaches like Dingo Beach (don’t be fooled by the name, there are no dingoes) and Hideaway Bay Beach.
Cape Gloucester is also a favourite spot for locals during the weekend. But if you go during the week, we can assure you that you won’t come across another soul except for dugongs, dolphins, turtles and whales swimming in the sea.
Cape Gloucester is also super close to Gloucester Island National Park, where the sea is calm and full of hidden islands and beaches. Great for exploring by kayak (just putting it out there!).
A 2-day, 1-night tour that’s the coolest. An incredible experience that takes you through one of the largest coral reef systems in the world. You’ll spend the night on the Reef World Pontoon right above the reef. And during the day, you can jump into the water and discover the reef and the marine life hidden among them.
But there is more, you can also visit the submerged observatory or climb aboard the semi-submersible boats and observe the underwater world in a unique way.
With 74 islands in the region, you can’t really explore it all in one day, that’s for sure. That’s why we’re bringing you a three-day tour of the Whitsunday Islands. The best thing about this one? Unlike the previous one, this tour is “personalized”, where everyone has a say in the plan.
We recommend that you do some snorkelling and hiking on the islands. A great excursion to socialise and have a great time meeting new people.
For more adventure and adrenaline, you can’t miss jumping from 15,000 feet high and landing on Airlie Beach. (Thea: Come on, Marcos, put some effort into it, this adventure is super cool).
OK! Get ready for an experience not for the fainthearted: hop on a plane at Airlie Beach Aerodrome and let the adventure begin.
Up, up, up you go. Below you, views of the Whitsunday region, white sandy beaches reflecting the sun, blue waters like you’ve never seen before, lush jungles, and coral reefs… Suddenly, the doors of the plane open and you, together with your instructor, launch yourselves into that colorful scene!
A minute of freefall that will feel just like a second. And now, you truly become part of the picture that is the Whitsundays Islands.
Hop on a Segway and, while keeping your balance, discover the wild side of the Whitsundays in Conway National Park. And if, like me, you’ve never been on one before, don’t worry! After learning the instructions and a little practice, it’ll be no problem at all to follow the guide through the jungle on the 9-kilometre Whitsundays Great Walk.
Lastly, enjoy tea and cookies overlooking Impulse Creek. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
If you don’t have two days to spare for snorkelling tours along the Whitsunday coast, here’s a one-day tour. Hop aboard a high-speed catamaran and explore the famous Whitehaven Beach where you can snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.
The tour also takes you up to the Hill Inlet lookout point where you will enjoy the unique views of Whitehaven Beach. The best place to appreciate why this beach is called Whitehaven or “white sky”.
If you ask us what is the best way to appreciate the views of the Whitsunday Islands, the answer is easy: from the air!
That being said, if you don’t fancy skydiving, there is also the option of hopping on a small plane and taking a scenic flight. This will take you to discover the unique views of the famous “heart reef”. And what is this, you might ask? Well, it’s a coral reef shaped like a… heart! An amazing thing that can only be appreciated from the air.
After spending so much time at sea (or on it) don’t forget to visit the inland wonders of the Whitsunday region. There is a bushwalk where you can spot the natural beauty of the Whitsundays.
Stroll beneath the dense canopy of towering trees and colorful vegetation in Conway National Park, where the rainforest forms a natural haven and showcases its rich biodiversity.
Surrounded by picturesque bushland, Cedar Creek Falls offers a perfect freshwater spot to take a refreshing dip and escape the summer heat.
Airlie Beach Magnus is an adults-only, 18+ style hotel located right across the street from Airlie Beach. It is also just a few minutes from Airlie Beach Lagoon, Airlie Beach Harbour or the marina.
A great hostel if you are travelling alone and want to meet new people to make plans and play volleyball with. The hostel offers double or twin rooms with garden views and a private bathroom.
Located in Cannonvale, about ten minutes drive from Airlie Beach, is the Airlie Beach Eco Cabins hotel. An amazing accommodation next to nature where you can see birds of all kinds as well as other typical Australian wildlife.
This hotel offers private cabins, with a bathroom, balcony and basic kitchen.
If you want to spend a night in front of the beach in a super comfortable and modern style, we recommend Coral Sea Resort. A resort located in the Airlie Beach marina, with a garden, swimming pool, continental breakfast included, private beach and pier, hammocks, spa….
In short, a luxury that combines perfectly with luxurious and modern rooms, some of them with a hydromassage bathtub.
Camping-wise, it is important to mention that there is only one holiday park in the town of Airlie Beach, the Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach. If you are looking for other options with the same level of comfort, then you should either stay at Big4 Conway Beach Tourist Park in Conway Beach or Hydeaway Bay Caravanpark in Cape Gloucester National Park.
For cheaper but still comfortable options we recommend Lake Proserpine Campground, a 45-minute drive from Airlie Beach. Don’t be put off by the distance; this campsite is located right next to Lake Proserpine. Watching the sunset from the lake shore is a must.
Secondly, we especially recommend Glen Erin Garm Stay if you are going to visit Bowen as it is located just 11 kilometres from this town.
The nearest campsite to Airlie Beach which is free is located 63 kilometres south of the town at Bloomsbury BP Station.
If you want to explore Airlie Beach, it’s best to do so on foot. This is because Airlie Beach is quite small and touristy, so the streets are very well suited for pedestrians. Also, walking is an ideal way to stop at the many souvenir shops in town. If you don’t feel like walking, you can always rent a bike or scooter to get around the area.
On the other hand, if you want to explore the Whitsunday region, the best way is in your own vehicle. You can also use the Whitsundays Transit public transport that connects Proserpine with Airlie Beach. Likewise, taxi and Uber are available in the region.
Finally, to explore the Whitsunday Islands, you can catch ferries from Airlie Beach to islands like Hamilton, Daydream, and Hayman. Though honestly, it might be even better to join a tour and experience them to the fullest.
We recommend spending a week in the Whitsunday region, thoroughly exploring its islands as well as its national parks and Bowen. However, if you are doing the Queensland Pacific Coast Way and have limited time, the minimum stay is between 3 and 4 days.
One day reserved for Airlie Beach, another for Bowen, and the rest to visit the Whitsunday islands.
Airlie Beach is a super touristy and lively coastal town. The Whitsunday region is also a great place to explore islands, beaches, and coral reefs. If you are on a budget, you can visit Bowen instead of taking a Whitsunday Islands tour. Although the scenery won’t be as impressive, you are still on the Whitsunday Coast.
For Thea, Horseshoe Bay beach in Bowen is her favourite spot in the Whitsunday region because the coral reefs are right on the shore. For me, I hold the sunset at Lake Proserpine dearly: this is my favourite spot.
Finally, and as a conclusion to this guide on Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays region, here are a series of recommendations and common sense tips to make enjoying it even easier.
