Airlie Beach
Location of Airlie Beach
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 children’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.
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:
- Café One 3
- Cool LaLa Chinese
- Fat Frog Beach Café
- Village Café Restaurant and Bar
- Little Vegas Burger & Bar
- Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill
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.
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.
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