Airlie Beach Travelers Recommend

With three days in Airlie Beach, you have plenty of time to soak up the small town atmosphere, get out onto the Great Barrier Reef and at least one of the Whitsunday Islands, and venture into the nearby bush or rainforest. Here are a few ways to experience the very best of Queensland’s Airlie Beach in 72 memorable hours.

Day 1: See the Town’s Sights

Kick off your three-day Airlie Beach adventure with a stroll around the small town center, specifically the esplanade along the shore, lined with cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. If you are in town on a Saturday, you’ll find the Airlie Beach Markets there and can browse handmade items like jewelry and clothing alongside fresh produce. Nearby, Airlie Beach has a large man-made lagoon where you can spend the day lounging and swimming. Alternatively, book a private tuk-tuk for a guided tour around the town’s top spots, or choose an extended food-themed tuk-tuk tour that combines sightseeing with dining at some of the town’s best restaurants.

If you are visiting Airlie Beach between July and September, try not to miss the chance to spot migrating humpback whales. Whale-watching cruises depart in mornings and afternoons.

Day 2: Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Airlie Beach is best-known as the jumping off point for visits to the Great Barrier Reef, so make this your day to explore the world’s largest coral reef. In a single full-day tour from Port Airlie, you can visit two islands. Board a high-speed, air-conditioned catamaran for swimming and snorkeling at Whitehaven Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Whitsunday Islands, and then continue to the glitzy resort island of Hamilton, where you can browse the boutiques and enjoy the restaurants, or hike walking trails. These tours typically include the added bonus of a visit to Wild Life Hamilton Island, a wildlife park home to Australian animals, including koalas.

If you are traveling with a group, you can charter a private yacht to take your party out onto the reef and to Whitehaven Beach. Chartered yachts typically hold up to eight people.

Day 3: Go Deeper into Nature

Strap on some walking shoes and embark on a rainforest adventure. Guided tours can take you just outside of Airlie Beach to Conway National Park, home to multiple hiking trails, ancient rainforest, and wildlife such as paradise kingfishers and Proserpine rock wallaby. After a hike, tours typically continue to Cedar Creek Falls where you have can swim in the waterfall and have lunch while watching turtles. 

Another option for nature-lovers is a full-day crocodile and wetlands safari. Some tours will take you croc-spotting on a Proserpine River cruise as well as on a tractor-pulled wagon tour, and then offer a taste of bush life with traditional “billy tea” and “damper” bread followed by an Aussie-style barbecue feast.

Back in town, head back to the esplanade to round out your visit to Airlie Beach with dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants that line the strip.

Although Airlie Beach is best known as the departure point for sailing trips around the Whitsunday Islands, the small town has its own distinctive charm. Even with only a day in Airlie Beach, you can still get a taste of island life and enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef. Here’s the best way to spend the day. 

Morning: Get in the Water

Even with limited time in the area, you can get a taste of the Whitsundays by driving your own jet ski to South Molle Island. Tours typically depart in the early morning from the Port of Airlie Marina, a short walk from the town center, and include time to explore the island’s National Park or relax on the beach before getting back onto your jet ski and riding back to the Port of Airlie. You’ll be back in time to enjoy lunch and a stroll around the town before embarking on your next adventure. Between July and September, a whale-watching cruise is a must for wildlife lovers. 

Afternoon: See the Reef from Above and Below

Seaplane and helicopter tours are a great way to see Whitehaven Beach on a time budget—they also offer the chance to admire the iconic Great Barrier Reef from above. Short helicopter tours fly you directly to Whitehaven, where you typically spend around an hour before returning, while most half-day seaplane tours land by Hardy Lagoon and include a glass-bottom boat ride with stops for swimming and snorkeling. Seaplane tours typically conclude with some free time to relax on the white sands of Whitehaven Beach before flying back to Airlie Beach. 

Night: Tuk-Tuk Between Restaurants

Round off your day in Airlie Beach on a sightseeing tour with a twist. There are a variety of private tuk-tuk tours on offer; sunset tours take you around town at the most scenic time of day, when the town is lit by the glow of the setting sun, while food-themed tours take you to several restaurants around town to sample the best dishes at each. Tuk-tuk drivers are full of local knowledge so be sure to get some tips on where to toast your Airlie Beach trip with a drink or two.

A 2-day trip to Airlie Beach gives you time to explore the small town and get a taste of the nearby Whitsunday Islands. From soaring over the Great Barrier Reef to testing your sailing skills, here’s how to spend two days in Airlie Beach.

Day 1: Explore by Ground and by Air

**Morning:**Begin your visit to Airlie Beach with a stroll along the Esplanade—on Saturday mornings you’ll find markets selling jewelry, clothes, and crafts. If you’re visiting between July and September, you have a good chance of seeing migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

**Afternoon:**Take to the skies and admire the Great Barrier Reef from the air on a seaplane or helicopter tour. These tours are typically a few hours long and are a great way to see Whitehaven Beach if you don’t have enough time to sail there; plus, most include free time to relax on the beach after landing.

**Night:**In the evening, opt for a private food-themed tuk-tuk tour, which typically take you sightseeing around town and to several restaurants, where you can try some of the best dishes of the region. Alternatively, take a sunset tuk-tuk tour and ask you guide for tips on where to eat afterward.

Day 2: Set Sail

**Morning:**You could spend the whole day sailing on a yacht, helping the crew as you cruise to Tongue Bay and the Hill Inlet Lookout. A shorter (and faster) alternative is spending just the morning driving a jet ski around South Molle Island.

**Afternoon:**Between the beach and the Esplanade, you’ll find a huge man-made lagoon where you can take a refreshing swim year-round. Another active option is visiting Conway National Park, just minutes from Airlie Beach, which has numerous walking trails winding through rainforest and waterfalls—you might even spot a Proserpine rock wallaby. 

**Night:**Head back to the Esplanade and pick one of the strip’s many buzzing restaurants for a final meal. Naturally, fresh seafood is on the menu at most Airlie Beach eateries. If you’re up for a late night, this is where you’ll find the town’s best bars.