Airlie Beach
From Travel Generation
Airlie Beach is the doorway to the world-famous, and also extremely beautiful, Whitsunday Islands. The 74 Whitsunday islands are located within 100 nautical square miles. This is a place where you’ll no doubt want to spend time. You’ve come a long way, so make the most of it!
Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and cradled by the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the Whitsundays lie midway along the Queensland coast. Its tropical mainland spans from the beautiful beaches of Bowen in the north to the cane fields and sugar mills of inland historic Proserpine to the gorgeous golf greens of Laguna Whitsundays in the south. Its 74 islands - only eight of which are inhabited - are surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
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[edit] Destination Info
The town of Airlie Beach, situated 25km north-east of Proserpine, is considered the gateway to the Whitsunday’s and is a place where you’ll want to spend time. This geographically small, yet booming place is a hive of activity year-round, with its focus the tourist industry and the main departure point for ferries, day cruises and sailing adventures to the nearby islands for snorkelling, diving and island exploring. There is only a small beach at Airlie Beach but the town has a spacious man-made lagoon, great for swimming and sunbathing and complete with showers and barbecue area. ‘Airlie’ - as it’s known to the locals - boasts an impressive array of accommodation (from backpacker to deluxe), delis, restaurants and bars, boutiques and booking agents. Some bars even hold cane toad racing. Overall, the atmosphere is a laid back one in Airlie Beach.
[edit] Stuff you need to know
How to get there? Flying to Proserpine Airport, also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, in Proserpine is the easiest but not cheapest way to reach Airlie. There is also a train station in Proserpine for those travelling up the East coast. The two main airlines flying to here are Virgin Blue and Jetstar. After arriving at the airport, luggage is driven around the side of the building be collected from a trailer. There are also loads of tour buses that travel up the East Coast of Australia and visit Airlie Beach.
How to get around? A number of buses serve the airport terminal, and drive to Airlie beach or other locations but almost all must be prebooked. The tickets cost a flat $15 per person one way and can be purchased in a queue at a clearly marked booth just inside the arrival gate. The bus driver mans the booth, and when everyone has got a ticket (about 30-40 minutes wait from arrival) the bus gets going. Another option is to take a taxi, for which there is also a booth inside the arrivals gate. However taxi rides seem to match the bus price, and cost $15 per person. Also, there may not be any taxis waiting. The ride to Airlie Beach is smooth and takes about 40 minutes. Everything within Airlie is very accessible and so walking will get you everywhere!
Always bring ID out with you in Airlie, as with everywhere in Australia, bars and clubs are picky about it.
[edit] Things to do:
- However you choose to explore the Whitsundays, make sure it includes time on the water for an overall experience as these are some of the most beautiful and enjoyable sailing waters in the world. In fact, the majority of travellers to the area claim the best way to experience the Whitsundays is to get out on the water.
- There are day cruises to the outer reef, day sailing trips or overnight sailing adventures that last from one to three nights. You can choose from catamarans, banana-type boats, historic yachts and modern-day racing maxis, adventure sailing aboard a tall ship or cruising on a luxury yacht. You can even learn to sail and master your own yacht and chart your own course on a ‘bareboat’ charter. Best of all, there are a number of sailing operators in the area offering a variety of packages to suit your budget and time-frame.
- Most people get on board a sailing trip, it’s what the Whitsundays are all about. Ask your guide for more details on a boat to suit you and your friends - no sailing experience necessary, as all boats are fully crewed.
- If sailing is not your thing, tear it up at more than 30knots and go Ocean Rafting to explore the islands and beaches at a much faster pace.
- Be sure to include an aquatic trip to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, voted one of the best beaches in the world. The 2006 State winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach ‘Protection of the Environment Award’, Whitehaven Beach is known for its spectacular white silica sands, which stretch on for seven kilometres.
- Lastly, ensure that you take time to snorkel or dive while you are visiting the Whitsundays. Various companies head to the likes of Blue Pearl Bay, Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay on Hook Island, or out to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park outer reefs of Hardy, Bait, Hook, Line and Knuckle, among others, where you will discover the region’s many marine wonders.
- Go on a day or overnight trip to the resort islands of Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Daydream Island, Brampton Island, South Molle Island, Long Island, Lindeman Island or Hook Island. Shop, swim, golf, play volleyball, hike the islands or simply relax with a cocktail or two on the beach.
- Visit one of the many island National Parks for bushwalking, bird watching or beachcombing. For those on a budget, camping is available on a number of the islands, but you will need to contact Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service for camping permits.
- Go whale watching between July and September.
- Take a scenic flight via chartered helicopter or seaplane to the outer reef.
- Go trail riding, fishing, hire a quad bike, go parasailing, sea kayaking or jet skiing.
- Cruise the boardwalk from Airlie Beach to nearby Cannonvale and back.
[edit] Free Stuff
- The man-made Lagoon is worth a day's swimming and sunbathing
- Window shop and browse around Airlie Beach (the town with no beach) and you’ll see it all soon enough
