Airlie Beach, is it worth to visit. One of the most impressive and sought-after destinations in Australia is Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. This gem in the Great Barrier Reef region is where dreams come true for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and sun-soaked travelers. I can promise that a visit here will create memories for a lifetime. So, what do you need to know, and what should you absolutely not miss when visiting this magical place? Read on to find out.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, located in the northern part of the Queensland Whitsundays region, serves as the perfect starting point for your Whitsundays adventure. However, don’t rush through the town of Airlie Beach itself. It’s an incredibly cozy and relaxed town with charming cafes, restaurants, and shops. There’s also a large outdoor pool perfect for lounging.
To get here, you can take a flight to Proserpine Airport and then a short transfer to Airlie Beach.
Weather and Best Time to Visit Airlie Beach
The climate in Australia can be very diverse, but in Airlie Beach, it’s always fairly pleasant. My tip is to visit between May and October when temperatures range from 24 – 30 degrees, and the water is ideal for swimming. If you travel between October and May, swimming is more challenging due to the presence of stinging jellyfish you wouldn’t want to encounter!
Where to Stay in Airlie Beach
There are several good accommodation options in Airlie Beach, from luxury stays to budget hostels. Some popular choices include Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach Hotel, and Nomads Airlie Beach. If you’re traveling with a campervan like us, I recommend Nomads. They not only have a hostel but also plenty of campervan spots to rent. Book well in advance, as this is one of the most popular destinations in Australia, and accommodations can fill up quickly.
Best Restaurants in Airlie Beach
Our favorite spot in Airlie Beach was undoubtedly Bohemian Raw, a cafe serving fantastic acai bowls that were so good we visited multiple days in a row!
Another place I’d like to recommend is Fish D’vine, offering delicious locally caught fish and seafood at very reasonable prices.
Explore Whitsundays with a 3-Day Catamaran Excursion
There are many ways to explore the Whitsunday Islands, and we chose a guided 3-day tour with … . I wish I could say it was absolutely fantastic, but unfortunately, it wasn’t, at least not for us. We had very unlucky weather, forcing us to cancel our sailing tour. Fortunately, the company was fair and allowed us to go on a day trip a couple of days later when the weather was better. What a difference it made! I think I’ll carry the memory of standing and gazing at Whitehaven Beach for the rest of my life. I have never seen anything more beautiful!
Visiting Whitehaven Beach is truly a must, but it doesn’t matter how you do it. Just don’t forget to check the weather forecast first. I believe the 3-day tour we initially did would have been just as good if the weather had been better. Their setup was excellent, and you get a bit more time to truly experience the Whitsundays. That said, a day trip is also good, especially if you’re short on time.
Skydive
Something obvious, but this is one of the most awe-inspiring places to jump out of an airplane! We had never skydived before, but we chose to finally try it in Airlie Beach, and it was absolutely fantastic. It’s very easy to book; go to the nearest tourist office on the pedestrian street if you haven’t booked in advance. After booking the skydive, just join in for an unforgettable adventure. If you’re thinking about trying a skydive, this is an excellent place to do it. The crew was super professional and made us feel truly safe. Feeling your pulse increase, jumping out of the plane, and then gazing down at the crystal-clear water far below is something I will truly never forget!
Great Barrier Reaf
Seize the opportunity to explore the world’s largest coral reef. You can book tours from Airlie Beach to snorkel in the colossal Great Barrier Reef. If you’ve booked an excursion to Whitehaven Beach, you’ll also get the chance to snorkel. Typically, it’s at two different locations in the inner barrier reef. If you want to go to deeper waters and see larger fish, you’ll need to book another tour. While snorkeling in the inner barrier reef is exciting, snorkeling in the outer barrier reef is much more impressive. The corals are larger, the fish are more abundant, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a reef shark.
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is one of the most famous islands among the Whitsunday Islands. A visit here will give you a true taste of what a tropical paradise looks like. Located just a short boat ride from Airlie Beach, this is an exclusive destination known for its luxurious resorts, stunning beaches, and a wide range of activities suitable for all types of travelers.
Enjoy the sunset
The best way to see the sunset in Airlie Beach is undoubtedly to book a ‘sunset tour.’ It’s a magical feeling to sit on a boat with a glass of wine in hand while the sun sinks far away in the distance—a truly relaxing experience. If you want to experience the sunset in the best way, book a tour!
Another option that’s incredibly cozy and a bit simpler is to go to Sorrentus down in the harbor. A very cozy place where you sit in an excellent position to enjoy the sunset.
Airlie Beach is a stop that’s definitely worth to visit. Airlie Beach is fantastic in so many ways and was truly one of the highlights of our road trip – Brisbane to Cairns, even more so than what we had been looking forward to the most. Perhaps not surprising considering how many times we had seen magical pictures of the Whitsundays, and I promise it’s just as beautiful in reality as in those pictures! Visit Airlie Beach; it’s a fantastic place!
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