Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays region of Queensland is one of Australia’s best tourist destinations. This is the jumping off point for the spectacular island resorts of the Whitsunday passage as well as being home to one of the largest and best bareboat charter fleets in the world. This is complimented by the addition of a huge fleet of fully crewed charter yachts that come in every size and cruise to some of the most picturesque locations imaginable. Airlie Beach is located on the central Queensland coast just north of the city of Mackay and is very easy to get to.
There is an airport at Proserpine and transfers to Airlie Beach are easily available and there is another domestic airport on Hamilton Island with regular ferry services to the other island resorts and the mainland. Both of these have regular services from Cairns in the north and all of the Southern capital cities. The main north south highway provides coach access from both Cairns and Brisbane.
Airlie Beach accommodation is well known for its style and quality. The main town area lies at the foot of a hill and is right on the waterfront. Most of the accommodation is built on the hill with commanding ocean views over the ocean to the north. There is a huge range to choose from. In the town centre there is a number of backpacker hostels and Airlie is a magnet for this sector of the travel market. Every backpacker that comes to Australia, at some stage during their travels, visit Airlie beach and spends some time on one of the local charter yachts.
There are now two major marinas. One is at Able Point, and a second is now under construction at Muddy Bay. Both are walking distance from the town centre. Cruising yachtsmen from around the world all visit the Whitsundays and spend some time cruising around the local islands.
Airlie Beach tours will show you all the local attractions. The Great Barrier Reef lies just offshore and a number of tour operators specialize in trips here. You can go for a day tour or an extended tour. There are also permanent pontoons on the reef itself and some even offer overnight accommodation.
This is also a popular destination for those who are interested in snorkeling or diving and there is a lot on offer to cater for this market. Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays is an extremely popular destination and consequently it is wise to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.