Airlie Beach, QLD
The gateway to the Whitsundays is well worth a visit in it's own right, a vibrant hub for activities both on and off the water.
Where To Stay In Airlie Beach
There’s several options in the area and our favourite is the BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort, actually located in Flametree, a quiet spot roughly 10 minutes drive from the main township of Airlie Beach.
The park has a distinctly tropical feel to it thanks to its location in a beautiful pocket of lush Whitsundays rainforest, but despite this all facilities and accommodation are modern and well kept.
Whilst we love getting out for meals during our trips, there’s something nice about the convenience of something on site and here you’ll find Tropical Treats Cafe, a food truck within the park that offers coffee, breakfast and dinners depending on the season.
Check with reception on arrival if they’re operating whilst you’re there, at our last visit there was daily breakfast as well as a Pizza night and Fish and Chips night over the weekend. Accommodation wise there’s Unpowered Sites, Powered Sites, Cabins, Villas and Apartments to choose from.
Where To Eat & Drink In Airlie Beach
A great way to get the day started is with a coffee and pastry from Berry & Maple Patisserie, conveniently located at the Coral Sea Marina meaning you can also take the opportunity to browse some available tours and activities.
For an afternoon drink, we’re big fans of Anchor Bar. Whilst there’s many great venues with a view in Airlie Beach, Anchor Bar has an elevated setting which gives you a different aspect over the surrounding waters. There’s a pool within the venue which is perfect for those balmy tropical afternoons and evenings where you’re always feeling like a swim.
Our favourite spot to enjoy fresh local seafood is Fish D’Vine. The Barramundi is wild caught a bit further north at Cape York and always hits the spot, or if you’re keen to splash out a little go for the Seafood Platter for Two, a towering feast of bugs, local wild prawns, oysters, Tasmanian smoked salmon, ocean scallops, crispy battered local fish and more.
What To Do In Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays so plenty of your activities will be focused on the water and visiting the amazing nearby islands. If you head down to the Coral Sea Marina you’ll find a wide variety of activities from tubing or parasailing off the beach here, through to day trips to the islands.
We recommend going for a walk around the marina and seeing what takes your fancy. If you’re only going to do one thing, then you must visit Whitehaven Beach. Approximately 1 hour boat ride from Airlie Beach, this idyllic island paradise is famous for its impossible-to-describe soft white sand and crystal clear waters.
We recommend joining a smaller boat and group for the optimal experience and can highly recommend the team at Whitehaven Xpress. Their tour is the perfect length allowing you to enjoy 5 hours on the island exploring, swimming and indulging in a delicious beach BBQ.
If you’re a thrill seeker, Airlie Beach is an ideal place to go skydiving with incredible views to be had over the Whitsunday Islands as you descend. We highly recommend Airlie Beach Skydivers who also have the only beach landing amongst skydiving companies in the Whitsundays Region.
The Essentials In Airlie Beach
You’ll have no trouble finding whatever you need in Airlie Beach with multiple supermarkets and pharmacies. For camping gear, your best bet is to head to the BCF located in Whitsunday Plaza.\
The Drive To Airlie Beach
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from some nearby major cities.
From Townsville - At 268 km which will take you approximately 3 hours driving, Townsville is the closest major hub to Airlie Beach.
From Brisbane - 1,121 km means over 12 hours drive time from Brisbane to Airlie beach, which will of course require several stops. A few of our favourites are Noosa, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water and Yeppoon.
From Sydney - Whilst there is an inland route from Sydney which covers 1,877 km, all our favourite stops are along the coast so we prefer the coastal route via Brisbane which only adds another 200 km to your trip. A few of the best stops between Sydney and Brisbane on this route include Forster/Tuncurry, South West Rocks, Byron Bay and more.
