Airlie Beach, Australia

The town of Airlie Beach is simply referred to as Airlie and is located in Queensland Australia. Airlie Beach is the closest port to Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. The town has a population of nearly 30,000 inhabitants today and is mostly visited by all kinds of tourists especially the backpackers. Airlie Beach is famous as a major hub for visitors traveling to Outer Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. You can take a boat to these areas at Abel point marina and head on to further destinations. Previously, Airlie Beach was a haven for backpackers but most Australians have now realized that it is a perfect destination for other types of tourists.

Recent years have seen increased commercialization of Airlie Beach and there is plenty of highly affordable accommodation even to budget travelers. The most convenient way to reach Airlie Beach is flying to Whitsunday Coast Airport or Proserpine Airport which is mostly served by two airlines which are Jetstar and Virgin Australia. Hamilton Island airport is located just near Airlie Beach even though this route could be a little more expensive than other options. Premier and Greyhound coaches usually make a stop at Airlie Beach as they head on to Cairns and Brisbane. Which hitchhiking in Airlie Beach is quite rare, it is sometimes very efficient if you can manage it.

Getting around Airlie Beach is easy and there are various buses serving travelers at the airport terminal. However, you will need to pre-book them or get a ticket at the booth, usually manned by the bus driver. The fantastic views of the bay and beautiful harbor are a great reason why you should consider traveling to Airlie Beach. Walking up the Shute Harbor Rd from the town center is sometimes that you should not miss.

Despite its name suggesting beaching of some sort, Airlie Beach doesn’t have the best beaches in Australia and you will need to consider other areas if you are interested in enjoying a beaching experience. There are pretty but small beaches near the Shute Harbour Road however. However, they are infested with jellyfish which makes them a dangerous place to go swimming.

Restaurants and hotels in Airlie Beach are many and varied and are both expensive and budget. There are also many take away places where you can get special meals especially if you are a backpacker. Foodies are advised to visit the beautiful and reliable Carpes at Airlie Beach Hotel and Déjà vu in Water’s Edge Resort. For the budget travelers, you can get the best meals at Beaches, Magnums, or Down Under Bar and Grill all at Airlie Beach.

You will also be fascinated to note that some sailing trips also offer meals included in the cost of the trip. Nightlife in Airlie Beach is great and you might consider checking in at one of the local bars for a drink. There are many accommodation facilities in Airlie Beach like the YHA, Base Airlie Beach Resort and Bushvillage Backpackers Resort.