Airlie Beach - Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

A visit to Airlie Beach is a must do on most traveler’s lists – with great attractions in the tourist town, and the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, you’re spoilt for choice of just what to do when you get there.  Whether you’re an adventurous type, an active family, or a couple looking for a romantic trip away, the hardest part of enjoying the Whitsundays is deciding what to do.  So to help, we’ve put together a guide of some of the best ‘must dos’ out of Airlie Beach, with some local tips and hints.

WHITSUNDAY ISLAND RESORTS

Cruise Whitsundays and Fantasea Adventure Cruising provide transfer services from the mainland to most of the Whitsunday island resorts.  Both offer a ‘3 island experience’ in one day trip, or you can choose to fully explore one island and return that day.  Head out from Abel Point Marina or Shute Harbour to your choice of Daydream Island, Long Island or Hamilton Island for a day of swimming, sunbaking and cocktails, or even to South Molle Island for a spot of golf.

All the islands cater for day tripping guests, Daydream Island even has a specialized part of the island for day guests including a resort pool, bakery, tavern and 18 hole putting course.  Or hire a buggy and cruise around Hamilton Island to experience the diversity of restaurants, cafes, and activities.

ON THE WATER

The Whitsundays is known as some of the best sailing grounds in Australia, with the protection of the reef and islands providing sheltered and spectacularly beautiful sailing conditions.  To experience it in one day, there is a range of sailing and power boats to suit your needs.

Try the thrill of a maxi racing yacht as it cuts through the swell, sails full of wind.  Maxi Ragamuffin departs Shute Harbour daily (except Tuesdays), with alternating destinations of Blue Pearl Bay and Whitehaven Beach.  Or you could try the region’s fastest sailing catamaran, Camira, which combines snorkeling and Whitehaven Beach in one day, complete with full buffet lunch and drinks.  Thrill seekers can also take a trip on an Ocean Rafting rigid inflatable boat driven by 450hp engines.  Ocean Rafting is one of the only tours to have direct access to Hill Inlet on Whitehaven Beach and for a cultural injection, a visit to the Aboriginal Caves at Nara Inlet.  The exhilarating ride is one to remember and is a fast, fun way to see the Whitsundays in a day.

But if adventure and speed aren’t your thing, never fear!

Fantasea Adventure Cruising operates a daily trip to Whitehaven Beach including a bbq lunch and beach activities – think cricket and volleyball on pure silica sand.  Tours depart Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island daily.  The comfortable, air conditioned launch ensures a family friendly (and more sea-sick friendly!) trip.

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

What better way to discover the islands and reef than from the air?  Aviation Tourism Australia, Aviation Adventures and Air Whitsunday all provide a range of scenic flights which will be sure to leave you breathless.  You could sneak away for a romantic picnic on a deserted island, propose while flying over Heart Reef, be awed by the spectacular aerial view of Hill Inlet or even fly to Hayman Island for a day of luxury!  Whether it’s in a sea plane or a helicopter, or even in a bubble helicopter with the doors off, you’ll be able to take your own postcard pictures of some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

Day trips to the outer reef via helicopter are also available – so combine a view from above with a view from below, with snorkeling and diving available at both the Hardy Reef and Knuckle Reef pontoons.

QUEENSLAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH

Titles like that don’t get given out easily, and on arrival at Whitehaven Beach it is immediately obvious why this beach is so special.  The 7km of pure silica sand glistens in the sun (but the sand doesn’t get hot), and the crystal clear aqua waters are entrancing.  At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning cove where the tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful fusion of colours.  Don’t miss the walk to the lookout on Whitsunday Island where you can take advantage of the best views of both Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. 

However you choose to explore Whitehaven Beach, it will be an experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

Fantasea Adventure Cruising and Cruise Whitsundays both have anchored pontoons on the Great Barrier Reef.  After a short two hour trip from the mainland, you will arrive in a magical paradise of coral reefs, with thousands of species of fish and marine life to explore.  Both tours include lunch, and each pontoon has a kids slide straight into the water!  Snorkelling and diving on the reef is also available.  And you don’t even need to get your feet wet if you don’t want to, with both pontoons offering a semi-submersible boat trip to explore the surrounding coral reefs.  A definite must do for locals.

AIRLIE BEACH AND SURROUNDS

Exploring Airlie Beach and it’s surrounds will surprise you, with just as many exciting and beautiful locations on the mainland to experience as on the water.  Adventurous groups will enjoy the stunning views and at times challenging walking tracks of the Whitsunday Great Walk.  Walk the whole 28km in one day, or camp out at one of the two camping grounds along the track.  The views make it all worth it! 

For the slightly less adventurous looking to enjoy national park, head to Cedar Creek Falls, along Conway Road.  During the wet season the stunning waterfall flows freely, and the water pools at the bottom offer swimming year round. 

Relax at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, let the kids play in the water or on the playgrounds, while you sizzle up a bbq lunch and enjoy the ambience and view out to the islands.  A great family day, all free!

Airlie’s weekly Saturday markets offer a quaint range of local arts and crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables and much more.  Set up right on the Airlie foreshore, the mood is relaxed and friendly.

The Esplanade, Airlie’s ‘Eat Street’ provides a range of restaurants and cafes where you can sit and watch the waves lap on the beach and enjoy cool sea breezes while you sip a coffee or cocktail.  A range of delicacies is available to fulfill your breakfast, lunch and dinner needs in a relaxed atmosphere only Airlie can create.