The best things to do in and around Airlie Beach
Wondering what the best things to do in Airlie Beach are? As the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, there are plenty of opportunities to leave the mainland. However, did you know there are also heaps of cool things to do around Airlie Beach itself?
Here are some of the best things to do in and around Airlie Beach in Queensland.
Relax on beautiful beaches
Although you’re probably dreaming about hitting up Whitehaven or another nearby island, Airlie Beach has a number of beautiful beaches. Dingo Beach, Hideaway Bay and Coral Beach are the best places to head for some seclusion and quiet. Dingo Beach has both a stinger net and a playground. Alternatively, if you fancy a restaurant after a salty dip, Cannonvale and Boathaven are top choices.
Another beach of interest is Coral Beach in the Conway National Park which is exactly as the name suggests. Both Conway Beach and Wilsons Beach are lovely and can be found around the mouth of the Proserpine River around 40 minutes from the main drag at Airlie Beach. Conway Beach is quite tidal, making it great for kids because of the puddles left behind when the tide retreats.
Day trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island with Cruise Whitsundays
Watch our experience on this Cruise Whitsundays tour to Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island below:
One of the best day trips to take from Airlie Beach is Cruise Whitsunday’s Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island tour. Read all about our experience here. This tour is great as it allows you to tick off two huge bucket list destinations in one day.
Whitehaven Beach is particularly beautiful and will no doubt be the highlight of the day. This stunning 7km stretch of beach features extremely fine soft sand and dreamy blue ocean waters.
Splash around at Cedar Creek Falls
Cedar Creek Falls is a stunning waterfall and swimming hole surrounded by native flora and fauna. To really enjoy this place, pack a picnic and plan to spend most of the day. Located around 30 minutes from Airlie Beach towards Conway Beach, it’s only a short 5-minute walk into the falls. Adventurous families might like to hike up to the top and bathe in the hidden pools.
The best time to visit is after a bit of rain, which is more likely from November to April. However, it’s not uncommon to find the waterfall flowing at other times of the year.
Keep an eye out for the adorable little freshwater turtles and don’t forget the mosquito repellent!
Swim at the Airlie Beach Lagoon
The Airlie Beach Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim at Airlie Beach as it’s guaranteed to have no stingers. This man-made lagoon is actually a 4,300 sqm pool! Although with sandy edges fringed by palm trees, it feels like the real deal.
There are change room facilities, swimming lanes, shallow sections for the kids, barbecues, lots of green grass and great views of the ocean. This is the kind of lagoon you would expect to find at an expensive resort but surprisingly, this one is completely free to enjoy.
Get out on the Great Barrier Reef
One of the easiest ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef is to take a Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Reefworld pontoon with Cruise Whitsundays. It’s a great option for families as meals are provided and kids can snorkel/swim safely in a roped-off swimming section.
Don’t worry, there’s more to this day trip than just snorkelling, although that will definitely be one of the highlights.
View the fish from an underwater viewing chamber without getting wet, fill up on the buffet lunch and take advantage to increase your knowledge by listening to the reef expert presentations throughout the day.
Grab some goodies at the Airlie Beach Markets
Grab some goodies at the Airlie Beach Markets every Saturday from around 7-am to 1:30-pm. You’ll find it near the Sailing Club in a prime location along the foreshore. Here you will find beach market stalls with fabulous handmade jewellery, craft and clothing as well as fresh produce to get you through until the next weekend.
If you haven’t had breakfast, not to worry, there are food and coffee trucks about.
Hike a section of the Conway Circuit
Formerly known as the Whitsunday Great Walk, the Conway Circuit is a 27km trail that begins in Proserpine and ends in Airlie Beach. The trail can be done over 3 – 4 days with designated camping spots along the way.
However, you don’t need to do the whole thing at once! Escape the hustle and bustle and get a great dose of lush rainforest and streams by doing smaller sections of the trail.
Great smaller sections to tackle include:
The Kingfisher Walk – Follow the Conway Circuit from the Forestry Road car park for around 800m to find the start of the Kingfisher walk. It’s not a long hike at 600m however it takes around 40min return due to the stairs.
Wompoo Way – The Wompoo way turn-off can be found around 2.3km from the Forestry Road car park on the Conway circuit. You will follow an old logging trail through lush rainforest before arriving at a pretty creek. This walk is around 7km return and takes around 3.5 hours.
Honeyeater Lookout – Honeyeater Looking is around 8.2km return and the trailhead can be found around 2.3km along the Conway Circuit from the Kara Crescent track entrance at Airlie Beach. There are amazing views over the Whitsunday Islands and Cannonvale but the steep uphill sections can be a challenge.
Find solitude off the beaten track at Hydeaway Bay
Hydeaway Bay can be found around 55km from Airlie Beach by following the Dingo Beach Road until you see the turnoff for Hydeaway Bay Drive. There is no such thing as a crowded beach here so it’s great to pack a picnic and some beach toys and make a day of it.
The houses front the beach so you will need to keep an eye out for one of the beach access parking lots and/or tracks down to the beach itself.
Stroll the Bicentennial Walk
The Bicentennial Walk stretches around 5km between the Airlie Beach Lagoon and Cannonvale Beach, taking around an hour. It’s completely paved, mostly flat and maintained well so it’s a great family-friendly walk. Particularly if you finish at the Lagoon where you can then cool down in the water or relax on the grass.
Munchies can be satisfied along the way with a pick of cafes and restaurants.
Rent a yacht and learn to sail
The Whitsundays is one of the few places in the world where you can rent a yacht without a boat license or sailing qualifications. Whitsundays Rent a Yacht will train you up (takes around 4 hours) and once you have completed your training, you will then need to pass a sailing test and you are good to set out on your own.
Follow your own route around the beautiful Whitsunday Islands with you and your family as the skipper and crew. Don’t worry, you won’t be entirely left to your own devices! To ensure your safety, the crew will radio call you in the morning and afternoon to discuss which islands will best suit the conditions.
Visit Bowen for a mango selfie
Bowen can be found around an hour north of Airlie Beach and is home to yet another stunning coastline. Head to Horseshoe Bay where you can swim or snorkel one of the fringing reefs. Of course, don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the Big Mango.
Go on the Whitsunday Crocodile Safari
Go croc-spotting on the Whitsunday Crocodile Safari down the calm Proserpine River with local guides, who are a wealth of knowledge. This tour also features an enjoyable tractor-pulled wagon tour through the wetlands to look for other fascinating wildlife, a Queensland mud crab capture, traditional billy tea and damper, and an Aussie barbecue for lunch.
How to get to Airlie Beach
If driving, Airlie Beach can be found around 1,097km north of Brisbane on the Queensland coast, approximately halfway between Rockhampton and Cairns.
If flying, the easiest way to reach Airlie Beach is to fly into Proserpine Airport, which is often also referred to as the Whitsunday Coast airport. There are shuttle busses between the airport and Airlie Beach which take around 40 minutes.
Airlie Beach Accommodation for Families
The NRMA Airlie Beach holiday park is a top choice for those staying in Airlie Beach. We stayed in a bungalow (perfect for families) however there are also cabins, campsites and caravan sites. The park features a dedicated tour booking office, a swimming pool and free WiFi.
The location is great with a fish and chip shop next to the reception, a 2-minute drive into town and it’s less than 1km from Shingley Beach.
Looking for more awesome destinations and activities?
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