One of the easiest parts of staying here is having Social Café and Bar right on site. We liked starting the day with a barista-made coffee before heading out, then circling back later for something casual after a swim. The menu keeps things simple and well suited to the tropical setting, with light breakfast options like pastries and bagels, along with pizzas, chicken wings and classic café snacks as the day rolls on. It’s licensed too, so settling in with a cold drink or cocktail while the afternoon heat fades feels very on point. If you’re around on a Sunday afternoon, the café hosts Sunday Country Music from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

For an easy dinner back at your cabin or site, I’m The Pizza Guy is a solid takeaway option. The pizzas travel well, portions are generous and it’s perfect for nights when you just want to keep things low key and eat back at the park.

If you feel like heading out for a drink and something a bit more polished, The Garden Bar Bistro is a great choice. It’s a relaxed but slightly more upmarket pub-style venue with a strong cocktail menu and a food offering that goes beyond the basics. We shared the Fish Tacos and the Malaysian Chicken Curry which were both delicious. There’s a kids menu with a few simple options for those travelling with little ones.

Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway

One of our favourite easy outings starts right across the road from the park. The Bicentennial Walkway runs from Cannonvale Beach into Airlie Beach and is a flat, well-maintained boardwalk that takes around 20 minutes each way. It’s an easy coastal walk that passes through pockets of native vegetation, past Abell Point Marina and along the Airlie Beach foreshore before landing you right in the middle of town. Perfect for a morning wander or a sunset stroll.

Spend a Saturday at the Airlie Beach Markets

If you’re here over the weekend, the Airlie Beach Markets are well worth a visit. Held every Saturday from 7am to 1pm along the foreshore, they’re a relaxed mix of fresh local produce, handmade goods, clothing and jewellery. We like grabbing a coffee, picking up a few treats and soaking up the laid-back community vibe with the ocean as your backdrop. Parking is free but limited, so arriving early or walking in is your best bet.

Swim at Cedar Creek Falls

When the weather’s right, Cedar Creek Falls is a standout local swimming spot. About a 30km drive from Airlie Beach, the scenic route winds through green cane fields before a short walking track leads you to the falls. The clear swimming hole beneath the cascading water is incredibly refreshing, especially in the wet season or after recent rain when the falls are at their most impressive.

Take a day trip to Cape Gloucester

For a relaxed day out, we recommend heading north to Cape Gloucester, roughly a 50-minute drive from the park. The views across the Coral Sea are beautiful, and the drive itself feels like part of the experience. From here you can explore Hydeaway Bay and a string of quiet beaches and coves along the Esplanade, including Froggies Beach. It’s an easy place to spend the day swimming, fishing or simply doing very little at all.

While the park isn’t right in the centre of Airlie Beach, we found the location ideal. The Bicentennial Walkway across the road makes it an easy, scenic walk into town, and having a supermarket and bottle shop next door proved handy.