Airlie Beach walking tour & city guide
The gateway to the Whitsunday Islands.
Airlie Beach is a lively little resort town on the Queensland coast and the main gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, 74 islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. By day, boats leave for white-sand beaches and coral reefs; by night, the town's main street fills with backpackers, sailors and holidaymakers.
The town and the lagoon
Airlie Beach's main street, Shute Harbour Road, is lined with cafés, bars and tour shops. On the foreshore, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is a large free saltwater swimming lagoon surrounded by lawns and palms, safe from the marine stingers found in the sea at certain times of year. A market is held on the foreshore on Saturday mornings.
The Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsundays are among Australia's most beautiful places. Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island, has dazzling white silica sand, and the view over the swirling sands of Hill Inlet is famous worldwide. Day cruises, sailing trips and scenic flights over Heart Reef, a heart-shaped coral formation, all leave from Airlie Beach and nearby marinas.
A classic foreshore walk
Start at the Airlie Beach Lagoon and walk along the foreshore boardwalk past the beach to Port of Airlie marina. Then follow the Bicentennial Walkway west in the other direction, a coastal path that runs about 3 kilometers to Cannonvale Beach, passing Boathaven Beach and Coral Sea Marina.
Return along Shute Harbour Road through the town center. For views, the short Honeyeater Lookout trail climbs into the hills behind town.
Visiting tips
The best time to visit is from May to October, when the weather is dry and warm. Marine stingers are present from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when swimming in the sea. Airlie Beach is served by Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine and Hamilton Island Airport.
Top sights in Airlie Beach
- 1
Whitehaven Beach
Pure white silica sand.
- 2
Hill Inlet Lookout
Swirling sands and turquoise water.
- 3
Airlie Beach Lagoon
A free saltwater lagoon.
- 4
Heart Reef
Seen on scenic flights.
- 5
Bicentennial Walkway
A coastal path to Cannonvale.
- 6
Whitsunday sailing trips
Island-hopping by boat.
Food markets & where to eat in Airlie Beach
Shute Harbour Road
The main street of cafés and bars.
Port of Airlie
Marina-side dining.
Airlie Beach Markets
A Saturday foreshore market.
Food to try in Airlie Beach
Fresh prawns
Queensland seafood at its best.
Coral trout
A reef fish delicacy.
Tropical fruit smoothies
Perfect after a swim.
Barramundi
Grilled or battered.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Airlie Beach
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in Airlie BeachCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Airlie Beach.
- eSIM for AustraliaStay online from the moment you land.
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