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Fun Things To Do in Airlie Beach 2022

Airlie Beach is the best place to base yourselves when travelling to the Whitsundays with children. It is much cheaper to stay there than on the islands, and there are more kids activities to keep them occupied.

This guide not only provides the best things to do in Airlie Beach but includes tips on the weather, location, and where to stay.

Our family spent three days in Airlie Beach as part of a road trip from Airlie Beach to Cairns. Airlie Beach has a cool, laid back vibe to it and is popular with families and the budget conscious, like backpackers.

DisclosureThis post may contain affiliate links (of which we use) so we may receive a small amount of commission if you buy something through them, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.

holiday apartments overlooking marina with boats

Location of Airlie Beach

aerial view of a marina with boats in it
Aerial views of Airlie Beach Queensland from helicopter courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Airlie Beach is on the coast of Tropical North Queensland, Australia.

International visitors will need to fly via either Brisbane or Sydney. A domestic flight will take you to Proserpine Airport, also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport. Find details about visas, prohibited items, currency, and safety on our Australia page.

If you enjoy rail journeys, the Spirit of Queensland runs from Brisbane to Proserpine. The Greyhound Australia bus stops in Airlie Beach too.

yellow and blue high speed train
Spirit of Queensland courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Alternatively, you could make Airlie Beach part of a Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

Travel from Proserpine to Airlie Beach by car, bus, or taxi. Whitsunday Transit runs a shuttle service that meets every arrival and departure, costing A$22 one way. A taxi is the most expensive option; expect to pay about A$100 to Airlie Beach.

Car Hire – There are a few car hire companies available at the airport – we use Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals.

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TIP: The earlier car hire is booked, the more options there are, and the lowest prices. Click on the above car rental links to get great deals.


Things To Do in Airlie Beach

Take a Day Trip to Hamilton Island or Daydream Island

It’s easy to take a day trip to the Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach.

Hamilton Island was our choice as it appealed to us over Daydream Island. We felt that despite it being busy, it wasn’t as touristy as Daydream which centres around the resort and we wanted to see more than a hotel complex.

Hamilton Island has lots of activities and is perfect for families, couples, and solo travellers.

You can read all about our day trip from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island here.

We used the Whitsunday Islands Hopper Pass to get around.

marina on island with turquoise ocean and boats moored
Hamilton Island

Airlie Beach Lagoon

The best family-friendly free thing to do in Airlie Beach is visiting the Airlie Beach Lagoon. Like the pool in Mackay, it is completely free to enter.

The 4300 sqm lagoon is right in the centre of Airlie Beach, making it an ideal place to meet up with friends and family. It features a toddler pool, a lagoon, and a sandy beach for the kids to play on.

There’s plenty of shade on the landscaped grass under the trees to relax or enjoy a read (if your kids are old enough to be left unsupervised). The views of the Coral Sea are lovely from here too.

We spent a couple of hours here, but you could spend longer if you had more time. The supermarket is close by to purchase supplies for a barbecue or picnic.

Airlie Beach Lagoon cost

Airlie Beach Lagoon is completely free!

aerial view of airlie beach lagoon and the ocean
Airlie Beach Lagoon, Airlie Beach, QLD by Tourism Whitsundays

Airlie Beach Lagoon depth

Airlie Beach Lagoon has a 1.5 m maximum depth children’s pool and a larger pool with a maximum depth of 2 m. It is a gradual descent but care must be taken if you can’t swim.

Is Airlie Beach Lagoon safe to swim?

Airlie Beach Lagoon provides a safe swimming environment, especially during stinger season. Lifeguards patrol the lagoon from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm daily.

Airlie Beach Lagoon facilities

The facilities at Airlie Beach Lagoon are excellent, with barbecues, picnic areas, changing rooms, outdoor showers, and toilets.

Is Airlie Beach Lagoon saltwater?

Airlie Beach lagoon is a chlorinated fresh water pool.

Airlie Beach Lagoon open times

Airlie Beach lagoon is open 6:00 am to 6:30 pm daily.

aerial view of lagoon near the coast is one of the things to do in airlie beach
Airlie Beach Lagoon Queensland courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Visit Whitehaven Beach

a stunning unspoilt stretch of white sand beach and sparkling turquoise ocean on an island
Whitehaven Beach courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Whitehaven Beach was number 22 in TripAdvisor’s Peoples’ choice for the best beach in the world. I think it is special because it is untouched with no hotels, restaurants, shops, or kiosks. Every year over 75,000 people visit Whitsunday Island to see this beautiful beach and views from Hill Inlet.

The white 7km sand beach is spectacular and so soft that it squeaks when walked upon. The ocean is a beautiful turquoise colour with gentle waves lapping the shore.

We took the half day Whitehaven Beach tour with Cruise Whitsundays as we didn’t know if our girls would last a whole day. In hindsight, I wish we chose the full day tour, as we didn’t get to see Hill Inlet. The half day tour drops you off at the southern part of Whitehaven Beach and allows you to explore for a couple of hours. There’s no shade, so take an umbrella to protect you from the intense sun. We walked along the beach and relaxed while our daughters played, then had a paddle in the crystal clear ocean.

people getting off a cruise whitsundays boat in shallow clear water onto island
Cruise Whitsundays at Whitehaven Beach

To access Hill Inlet, you need to go to Tongue Bay on North Whitehaven, and from there, it’s a 20-minute walk to the lookout. Hill Inlet is the most photographed location in the Whitsundays, and I’m sure you’ve seen photos of the stunning swirling sandy waters. On this Full-Day Snorkeling Cruise by High-Speed Catamaran, enjoy a fun-filled day of swimming and snorkeling as you cruise around the islands and discover the colorful underwater world of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. Admire dramatic coastal views on a hike to Hill Inlet Lookout, then indulge in a delicious buffet lunch on-board (included).

For the more adventurous, the Ocean Rafting Tour is rated as the number one tour on TripAdvisor. Take a thrilling ride aboard this raft with the choice of two tours (North Whitehaven or South Whitehaven). Both include Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, plus snorkelling. Read more about this fun tour here.

If you’re short on time, you can still thoroughly explore the Whitsundays with this comprehensive Whitsunday Bullet tour. The fast modern boat will take you to Whitehaven Beach, secluded coves, and a snorkeling spot that is filled with marine life.

Tours: We use third-party sites ViatorGet Your Guide & Klook due to their free cancellation policies, instant confirmation, price guarantees, and mobile ticketing. We occasionally book through Red Balloon too.

two girls running towards the ocean on a soft white sand beach with yachts and boat tours in the water
Whitehaven Beach

Take a scenic flight over the Heart Reef

What could be better than flying over this incredible heart-shaped reef? The birds-eye view from the small plane is spectacular as you soar above the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands’ white sandy beaches.

On this 60-minute Whitsundays Reef and Island Scenic Flight from Airlie Beach, you will see Shute Harbour, Molle Islands, Long Island, Dent Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and more.

Alternatively, take a panoramic helicopter tour for views of the iconic Heart Reef, Whitsunday Islands, and Whitehaven Beach.

aerial view of a reef in the shape of a heart
Heart Reef courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Bicentennial Walkway

This walk trail runs from Airlie Beach Lagoon to Cannonvale Beach. It mainly consists of a boardwalk and is flat, making it ideal for prams and bikes.

The boardwalk runs alongside the stunning coast with views out to the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. There’s always something to see, whether it’s luxury yachts or marine life (look for turtles near the Volunteer Marine Rescue).

The walk is family-friendly, with playgrounds along the way to break it up and one at the end at Cannonvale Beach.

Coral Sea Marina (previously Abell Point Marina) is around the half-way mark, making it the perfect place to stop for a drink at one of the many cafes, bars, or restaurants.

The Fat Frog Cafรฉ at Cannonvale Beach is a locals favourite serving delicious food and great coffee.

It can be hot during the day, so the best time to walk this trail is early morning or late afternoon. It’s a spectacular place to watch the sunset.

How long is the Bicentennial Walkway Airlie Beach?

The Bicentennial Walkway is 7 km long.

view of turquoise ocean and a wooden jetty with sail boat in the distance
View from the Bicentennial Walkway

Conway National Park

Conway National Park covers about 75 km of coastline, including the Cape Conway peninsula. The Conway Range protects the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Queensland outside of Tropical North Queensland. 

You’ll find a mixture of mangroves, forests, paperbark and pandanus woodlands, and lowland rainforest with twisted vines.

Thousands of years ago, the area was home to the Ngaro and Gia people and is of significant importance to the people of the Birri-Gubba Nation. So, please respect the land, tread lightly, and take all rubbish with you.

Conway National Park things to do

  • Hike one of the many trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Picnic at the Conway National Park day-use area
  • Fish from the beach at Swamp Bay and Coral Beach
  • View wildlife
  • Kayak around the coastal bays (although be aware of the dangers)

Conway National Park walks

Conway National Park has a range of walks from easy short trails to challenging hikes. Find more information on the walks at Queensland’s Park and Forests.

Conway National Park waterfall

aerial view of beautiful waterfall cascading into green pool
Cedar Creek Falls courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

If you visit Airlie Beach during the wet season, a visit to Cedar Creek Falls in the Conway National Park is a must.

Cedar Creek Falls is a half hour drive from Airlie Beach, so transport is required for this one. If you don’t have a vehicle, compare prices to hire one with Discover Cars.

The beautiful waterfall cascades over the natural rock amphitheatre into the pool below. The clear water of the rock pool makes for a refreshing swim. You might even see some fish or turtles swim by. Kids will love it here; don’t allow them to jump from the falls, though.

If you don’t want to swim, relax by the lovely white cedar trees and look for the many birds and butterflies that inhabit here. There are bush-walking tracks for the more energetic.

The falls are an easy walk from the car park. There are toilets here, but that’s it, so bring your food (remember to take all the rubbish home with you).

Bring a beach towel (like these at The Iconic), bathers, hat, walking shoes (I love my Asics like these), water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Arrive early before it gets busy.

Conway National Park map

You can see a copy of the Conway National Park map here.

Conway National Park crocodiles

Please be aware that there are estuarine crocodiles (saltwater) in the waters around the parks. Be crocwise and adhere to the warnings and advice.

Read this guide on staying safe in Conway National Park.

Conway National Park facilities

At the day use area you will find toilets, a shelter shed, picnic tables, and electric barbecues.

Swamp Bay has picnic tables only. 

waterfall cascading into green natural pool surrounded by forest
Cedar Creek Falls courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Beaches

Cannonvale Beach has a stinger net in summer, a cafรฉ on the foreshore, bbqs, toilets, and a playground making it popular with families.

The beach is particularly beautiful at sunset with wreck of the Whitsunday Magic being a photographers favourite.

Boathaven Beach is a “new” beach near the Port of Airlie. This man-made beach has 60,000 cubic metres of imported soft, white sand with a stinger net. Toilets are located across the road.

Dingo Beach is a 40-minute drive from Airlie Beach but worth it for this quiet, stunning beach. During stinger season, a net keeps you safe. This beach is excellent for snorkeling; you may even see a turtle or spot a dolphin or migrating whale.

a remote empty beach with palm trees
Nelly Bay, Dingo Beach courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland

Facilities include BBQs, showers, toilets, a playground, cafรฉ, shop, and pub. There’s also a boat ramp to launch your dinghy quickly.

Combine a day trip to Dingo Beach with the long, white sandy beach of Hydeaway Bay. This 1.5 km sandy beach has views across the water to islands, including Gloucester Island and Saddleback Island.

Hydeaway Bay Caravan Park has a small on-site store, and there are two beachside restaurants/ eco resorts at Cape Gloucester, just at the northern end of Hydeaway Bay.

yellow sand beach with coconut trees
Airlie Bay

Airlie Beach Hikes

We did two hikes during our stay in Airlie Beach. The first one was the Airlie Creek Track, a 1.7 km return walk. It starts as an easy Grade 1 but ends up at a difficult Grade 4. The last part is steep with rocks to traverse, but the beautiful forest with fig trees and the Whitsunday Bottle Tree makes it worthwhile. Allow an hour to complete this walk.

The Conway Circuit (which used to be called the Whitsunday Great Walk) is a massive 27 km trail through the Conway State Forest. The walk is meant to be done over three days, camping along the route, but can be done in a whole day. The track starts at Brandy Creek (Forestry Road Car Park) and finishes in Airlie Beach. Transfers will be required as it is not a return loop. The trail is suitable to ride, walk, or run. It takes you through the lush tropical rainforest with views out to the Whitsunday Islands.

The Conway Circuit has shorter trails, including Honeyeater Lookout. This is the one we did; well, let me clarify, Dave did. The girls and I only walked part of the track, but Dave ran the 8.2 km return trail. The walk starts at Kara Crescent and leads you uphill to the lookout. Here you are rewarded with the best views in Airlie Beach over Cannonvale, the Dryander Range, and out to the Whitsunday Islands. Allow three hours to complete this walk and take plenty of water with you.

view from high up over green trees out to the ocean with small islands
View of Airlie Beach from Conway National Park

Airlie Beach Foreshore Playground

The Airlie Beach Foreshore Playground is a new addition since we last visited, and it looks fantastic. The new playground has a 10.5m high skywalk, a climbing net, three giant slides, a rope bridge, and a Pirate Ship playground for the younger kids.

Airlie Beach Markets

The Lions Airlie Beach Community Markets, held every Saturday morning on the foreshore, features stalls selling local and fresh produce, art, craft, souvenirs, and delicious food.

Coral Sea Marina

Take a walk around Coral Sea Marina and be dazzled by the superyachts that berth here. This marina received a multi-million dollar redevelopment and has been designed with superyachts in mind with premium berthing available for vessels up to 80m.

There’s plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes here if you want to stay longer (it’s beautiful at sunset).

a resort with palm trees
Coral Sea Marina Resort courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Most Popular Airlie Beach Tours & Activities

Click on the links to find out more information about these popular Airlie Beach tours and activities.

Is it better to stay in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island?

Our family prefers to stay in Airlie Beach because we feel it is more family-friendly and cheaper than Hamilton Island. There’s a more extensive range of things to do in Airlie Beach and more food options. I like the relaxed backpacker vibe of Airlie Beach. However, if you are looking for a luxury island experience, consider Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Hayman Island, or Long Island.

yellow sand bay with coconut trees
Airlie Bay Queensland courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Family-Friendly Accommodation in Airlie Beach

We use Booking.com for most accommodation bookings as they offer free cancellation on most rooms, have a loyalty program (Genius), a price match guarantee, the site is user-friendly and they have great customer support. We also book through Stayz for private accommodation as they are often cheaper than Airbnb.

Our family stayed at the Mantra Boathouse Apartments, overlooking the Port of Airlie marina. Our two-bedroom apartment had a balcony with views over the marina and out to the Coral Sea. The property features a childrenโ€™s playground, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and barbecues. It was handy being so close to the departure point for the Cruise Whitsunday ferries and we would stay there again.

Booking.com has a wide range of highly rated properties in Airlie Beach. See what’s available for your dates here.

looking down onto an outdoor pool with spa and palm trees
Mantra Boathouse Apartments swimming pool

Where to eat in Airlie Beach

We had some lovely meals at Fish D’vine but other popular and highly-rated restaurants in Airlie Beach are:

  • Cafรฉ One 3
  • Cool LaLa Chinese
  • Fat Frog Beach Cafรฉ
  • Village Cafรฉ Restaurant and Bar
  • Little Vegas Burger & Bar
  • Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill
fish and chips with cocktail inside a restaurant
Fish D’vine & The Rum Bar Queensland courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Brief History & Settlement of Airlie Beach

I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Ngaro People, the Traditional Owners, and First People of these lands. I would like to pay my respect to the Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of the Ngaro People.

The Ngaro Aboriginal people, seen by Captain James Cook, were one of Australia’s earliest recorded indigenous groups.

Thomas Abell and his family were one of the first European settlers in 1906 when they moved to Airlie to grow fruit and vegetables.

The Queensland Lands Department put up land for sale by the beach in 1935. It was initially called Airlie, which is believed to have derived from the town in Scotland.

Today Airlie Beach is a tourist destination and the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands.

view up high over green landscape and ocean

Airlie Beach Forecast & Weather

Airlie Beach has a tropical climate meaning the summers are generally hot and wet. Winter days are warm and sunny, although night temperatures can drop.

The wettest months are January to March, with the driest months being August to October (September and October is the peak season for the Whitsundays).

The daytime maximum temperatures are around 30 degrees during the summer (wet season) and 21-25 degrees during the winter (dry season).

Airlie Beach has a cyclone season, from January through to March.

We visited in June and had a mixture of weather, as you will see from our photos. Our daughters enjoyed swimming in the lagoon, pool, and ocean, but it was too cool for me. If we went again, I would try and go in October (although the prices would be high).

See the detailed 7-day forecast at the Bureau of Meteorology.

view of small town with shops restaurants bars and cafes
Airlie Beach town with Fish D’Vine on the corner

For more things to do in Queensland, check out this Queensland Travel Guide.

FAQ

What is the population of Airlie Beach?

According to the 2016 Australian Census, Airlie Beach had a population of 1,208.

What is there to do in Airlie Beach for free?

There are plenty of things to do in Airlie Beach for free. Some suggestions are:

Airlie Beach Lagoon
Bicentennial Walkway
Cedar Creek Falls
One of the many beaches
Honeyeater Lookout
Airlie Beach Foreshore Playground
Saturday Markets

Is Airlie Beach worth visiting?

Most definitely yes. Airlie Beach is worth visiting for the many things to do as well as being the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands.

Can you swim in Airlie Beach?

Yes, you can swim at Airlie Beach. The best place to swim is at the Airlie Beach Lagoon. If you want to swim at a beach, both Boathaven Beach and Cannonvale Beach have stinger nets.

How many days do you need in Airlie Beach?

You need, at the minimum, three days in Airlie Beach. If you want to take some day tours, allow five.

Are there crocodiles in the Whitsundays?

It is rare to see a crocodile around the Whitsunday Islands, but the Proserpine River has the highest number of saltwater crocodiles in the area. Take a Crocodile Safari tour to see them.

What are the best things to do in Airlie Beach?

The best things to do in Airlie Beach all involve the water. Make sure you tick off these must-do bucket list items on your travels to the Whitsunday Islands:

Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout & Top Snorkel Spots
Guided Jet Ski tour through the World Heritage-listed Whitsunday Island Marine Park
A 2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise including Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef
Take a Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise
If you don’t want to get wet, see the Whitsunday Islands and GBR from above on a scenic flight.
Visit Reefworld on a day cruise

If you found this guide on things to do in Airlie Beach helpful, please consider booking through one of our links. It won’t cost you anything but will help towards the cost of running this site. Thank you.

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21 Comments

  1. What a wonderful place to visit with lots of things to do. Whitehaven Beach looks beautiful and unspoilt and we would love to fly over the Great Barrier Reef – heart reef, in particular! Cedar Creek Falls looks like a great place to visit and it’s good to know that there is lots of hiking in the area as well. It was also very interesting to read about the history of Airlie Beach.

  2. One of my favourite places of all time so beautiful, how beautiful is Whitehaven Beach. Unfortunately never got to Cedar Creek Falls and wish I had. Love the guide for families will have to take the kids when we get back

  3. I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Airline Beach. Then again, I was there over 20 years ago, so maybe it’s changed. I did love the backpacking vibe, and the 3 day liveaboard scuba trip I took from there was indescribable. Australia has many natural wonders and Airline Beach is a great place to base yourselves from.

  4. Airlie Beach looks like a dream destination! I think I could spend a day at Whitehaven Beach as that water is so inviting! Getting the chance to fly over heart reef would be pretty cool. With a name like DayDream, Iโ€™d be tempted to check out that island too! Haha.

  5. Airlie Beach looks like a fantastic getaway, Wendy! I’d love to do the snorkeling trip or the helicopter tour. Visiting during the wet season looks like a good idea just to see the Cedar Creek Falls.

  6. Well look at that sea color and the heart shaped reef!!! I can see myself snorkeling and swimming like a mermaid while humming Ariel’s “Part of the World” on Airlie Beach ๐Ÿ˜‰

  7. I particularly like the sound of Whitehaven beach, although the whole area sounds lovely. And who doesn’t have the Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list! Not sure about those stingers though ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

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