Car hire in Airlie Beach: at the airport and in town
For guests staying at Whitsunday Reflections: whether you need a car, where to hire one at Whitsunday Coast Airport and in Airlie Beach, and where to drive.
Do you need a car?
Not always. From Whitsunday Reflections you can walk down to the Airlie Beach Lagoon, the main street and the restaurants in about ten minutes, and a taxi back up the hill is about $8 to $13 with 13cabs (13 22 27) or Uber. Most island and reef trips leave from Coral Sea Marina or the Port of Airlie, both in town.
| Without a car | With a car | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Heart of Reef Shuttles from Whitsunday Coast Airport, or a taxi | About 35 minutes' drive, 38 km |
| Town and restaurants | Walk down, taxi back up the hill | Easy, but parking in town can be busy |
| Tours and ferries | Walk or taxi to the marina | Marina parking available |
| Groceries | Woolworths in town is walkable | Coles and Woolworths in Cannonvale too |
| Day trips | Limited | Cedar Creek Falls, Conway National Park, Hydeaway Bay, Bowen |
Parking at Whitsunday Reflections is free, right outside the apartments, so a car is easy to have here. Getting here and around covers the hill, the parking and the airport shuttle.
Car hire at Whitsunday Coast Airport
Whitsunday Coast Airport, near Proserpine, is the closest main airport to Airlie Beach, about 38 km and 35 minutes' drive away. Five car hire companies have desks in the arrivals hall. Picking up here means you can drive straight to the apartments.
Avis
Rental desk in the arrivals hall of the terminal.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Lascelles Avenue, Gunyarra
Budget
Rental desk in the arrivals hall of the terminal.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Lascelles Avenue, Gunyarra
Europcar
Rental desk in the arrivals hall of the terminal.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Lascelles Avenue, Gunyarra
Hertz
Rental desk in the arrivals hall of the terminal.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Lascelles Avenue, Gunyarra
Redspot
Rental desk in the arrivals hall of the terminal.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Lascelles Avenue, Gunyarra
Airport desks are staffed around flight arrivals, so book ahead and include your flight number. If your flight is late, the company knows to wait.
Car hire in Airlie Beach
If you only want a car for a day or two, hire one in town. These offices are on Shute Harbour Road, the main street, within walking distance of the apartments.
Avis Airlie Beach
The Avis office on the main street, shared with Budget.
Block B Shop 5, 366 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
Budget Airlie Beach
The Budget office on the main street, shared with Avis.
Block B Shop 5, 366 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
We Do Scooters and Cars
A local hire business on the main street with cars, vans, utes and scooters.
269 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
Town offices keep shorter hours than the airport, especially at weekends, so check pick-up and return times when you book.
Day trips by car
| Place | From Airlie Beach | What's there |
|---|---|---|
| Conway National Park | About 8 km | Walking tracks to lookouts and quiet beaches, including the Mount Rooper circuit |
| Cedar Creek Falls | About 30 minutes | A waterfall and swimming hole, running best after rain |
| Hydeaway Bay | About 45 minutes, 53 km | A quiet beach north of Airlie Beach |
| Bowen | About 1 hour, 78 km | A coastal town north of the Whitsundays, with beaches of its own |
Most of these roads are sealed and fine for an ordinary car. The Things to do in Airlie Beach guide has more on Conway National Park and Cedar Creek Falls.
Car hire tips
- Book early for school holidays and the winter months, when cars at the airport can run out.
- Check the minimum age. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21, with extra conditions for younger drivers.
- Bring your licence. If it isn't in English, you'll usually need an International Driving Permit or an official translation too.
- Watch for wildlife on country roads around dawn and dusk.
Car hire questions
Do I need a car at Whitsunday Reflections?
Not necessarily. Whitsunday Reflections is about a ten-minute walk down to the centre of Airlie Beach, and a taxi back up the hill is about $8 to $13. A car is useful for day trips to Cedar Creek Falls, Conway National Park, Hydeaway Bay or Bowen, and parking at the apartments is free.
Which car hire companies are at Whitsunday Coast Airport?
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Redspot have desks in the arrivals hall at Whitsunday Coast Airport, about 35 minutes' drive from Airlie Beach.
Can I hire a car in Airlie Beach itself?
Yes. Avis, Budget and Hertz have offices on Shute Harbour Road in Airlie Beach, and We Do Scooters and Cars hires cars, vans, utes and scooters on the same street.
Is there parking at Whitsunday Reflections?
Yes. Parking at Whitsunday Reflections is free, right outside the apartments.
Listings checked 25 September 2026 against the Whitsunday Coast Airport car rental page and each company's website.
More Whitsundays guides
Book with us directly and pay less for your stay
Book here direct with us: only a $200 deposit to secure your stay, with the balance due 7 days before arrival. It's always cheaper than the big booking sites. Book direct and your confirmation email includes discounts on some local tours.
Check availability