Airlie Beach - Gateway to the Whitsundays

Airlie Beach is located in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, a true beach town with a carefree and relaxed attitude. Airlie Beach has attractive parkland and two beautiful marinas, Shute Harbour and Abel Point Marina. Shute Harbour provides an embarkation point for the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach has a huge population of yachts, charter vessels and holidaymakers keen on sailing in one of the world's most beautiful cruising areas. Virgin Blue and Jet Star offer direct flights to Proserpine airport which is a 30 minute drive from Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach weather consists of cool sea breezes, warm seas, is drenched in sunshine and a warm climate all year round.

Airlie Beach offers a wide range of holiday accommodation including motels, hotels, backpacker hostels, resorts and beach apartments which are all close to marinas, restaurants and shops, in other words something for every budget. Backpacker hostels provide plenty of cheap food and drink.

The centre of Airlie Beach has a wide range of accommodation, shops and restaurants. Airlie Beach is mostly popular for sailing trips - hiring a motor cruiser or yacht and cruising through the magnificent Whitsunday Islands.

The Whitsundays consists of over 74 tropical islands clustered around the coast some 640 km south or Cairns and 1140 km north of Brisbane.

The Great Barrier Reef consists of 2100 reefs stretching over 2300 kilometres, from Lady Elliott Island (400 kilometres North of Brisbane) to Papua New Guinea. It has 1/5th of the world's reef area and can be seen from outer space. Spend a day sailing, snorkeling or swimming in one of the natural seven wonders the Great Barrier Reef. Knuckle Reef Lagoon is the most spectacular Great Barrier Reef site.

Another popular boat trip is whale watching between July and September.

Airlie Lagoon provides a large creature-free salt-water lagoon for swimming with lifeguards and a children's pool. The main park in Airlie Beach is the Conway National Park consisting of thick dense forest and home to the magnificent Cedar Creek Falls. A number of walking trails let you experience the scenic delights of the Whitsunday Coast, with picnic areas along the way. Another four State Forests, conserve 50,000 hectares of mangroves, tropical rainforest, and open eucalypt forests along the rugged coastline ranges.

If you want a cheap holiday with sailing, plenty of activities and spectacular scenery Airlie Beach is the place to be. Airlie Beach is a fantastic place to stay if you are interested in the Great Barrier Reef or the Whitsunday Islands.

Airlie Beach Caravan Parks / Hostels

Airlie Beach Caravan Parks

Airlie Beach Hostels / Cabins

Airlie Beach Weather

Airlie Beach Map