Things to do in Airlie Beach, from your apartment
What's a short walk from Whitsunday Reflections, what's a short drive, and where the island and reef trips leave from.
- Into town
- About 10 minutes' walk downhill to the Lagoon and main street
- Swimming
- Airlie Beach Lagoon: free, patrolled, stinger-free all year
- Markets
- Every Saturday, 7am to 1pm, on the foreshore
- Coastal walk
- Bicentennial Walkway, about 4 km from the Lagoon to Cannonvale Beach
- Boats
- Tours and ferries leave from Coral Sea Marina and the Port of Airlie
- Bushwalks
- Conway National Park, about 8 km from Airlie Beach
- Groceries
- Woolworths in Airlie Beach; Coles and Woolworths in Cannonvale
- Stinger season
- Late October to May. Swim in the Lagoon or wear a stinger suit
Airlie Beach at a glance
Airlie Beach is the small mainland town that most visitors to the Whitsundays stay in. Boats to the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef leave from its two marinas, and the town itself is a strip of cafes, restaurants and shops along Shute Harbour Road, with the Airlie Beach Lagoon and the foreshore in front.
Whitsunday Reflections sits on the hill above the town. The walk down to the Lagoon and main street takes about ten minutes on a paved footpath. Walking back up is steep, so most guests take a taxi or Uber up, or drive. Getting here and around has the details.
This guide covers what's in town, what's a short drive away, and how the day trips work. For the islands themselves, see the Whitehaven Beach guide.
The Lagoon, the foreshore and the main street
Airlie Beach Lagoon
The Airlie Beach Lagoon is a free, public, fresh-water swimming lagoon on the foreshore in the middle of town. It's run by Whitsunday Regional Council and is stinger-free all year, which matters here: from late October to May, marine stingers can be in the sea off the mainland beaches.
There's a sheltered wading pool for toddlers, a children's pool up to 1.5 m deep and a main pool up to 2 m deep with lap lanes. Around it are toilets, outdoor showers, change rooms, picnic lawns and barbecues. Lifeguards patrol from early morning to early evening, with longer hours from September to April. Hours sometimes change, so check the council page before you go.
Saturday markets
The Airlie Beach markets are on every Saturday from 7am to 1pm, along the foreshore beside the Lagoon. Stalls sell fruit and vegetables, coffee, food, local art and crafts, clothes and souvenirs. It's the easiest Saturday morning outing from the apartments: walk down, have breakfast at the markets, swim in the Lagoon.
Shute Harbour Road
The main street runs parallel to the Lagoon. It has most of the town's cafes, restaurants, bars, tour booking offices and shops, all within a few minutes' walk of each other. Our guide to restaurants in Airlie Beach covers where to eat.
The Bicentennial Walkway
The Bicentennial Walkway is a waterfront path of about 4 km from the Lagoon to Cannonvale Beach, built in 1988 for Australia's bicentenary. It passes Coral Sea Marina about halfway, where there are cafes and bars. Walk it one way and take a taxi back, or turn around at the marina. Early morning and late afternoon are coolest.
Coral Sea Marina and the Port of Airlie
Airlie Beach has two marinas, one each side of the town centre, and between them they handle most day trips in the Whitsundays.
| Coral Sea Marina | Port of Airlie | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | West of the town centre, on the Bicentennial Walkway | East of the town centre, beside Boathaven Beach |
| What leaves from here | Many of the day tours to Whitehaven Beach, the islands and the reef, plus sailing trips | Resort ferries to Daydream Island and Hamilton Island, and large-boat day cruises |
| Also there | Cafes, bars and restaurants | Cafes and the ferry terminal |
Some tours also leave from Shute Harbour, about 10 km east of Airlie Beach. Every tour tells you its departure point and check-in time when you book. When we book your tour at reception, we'll tell you where it leaves from and how to get there.
Guests who book their stay direct with Whitsunday Reflections get discounts on some local tours, in their confirmation email. See the tours we can book for you.
Day trips from the marinas
- Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. Half-day and full-day trips to the beach on Whitsunday Island. See the Whitehaven Beach guide.
- The Great Barrier Reef. Day trips to the outer reef for snorkelling and diving, and scenic flights over the reef. See the Great Barrier Reef guide.
- The resort islands. The public ferry from the Port of Airlie to Daydream Island takes about 30 minutes, and ferries also run to Hamilton Island. See the Whitsunday Islands guide.
Bushwalks, beaches and a waterfall
Conway National Park covers the hills and coast between Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Most of its walking tracks start about 8 km from town along Shute Harbour Road, so you need a car or a taxi to reach them.
| Walk | Distance | Time | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Rooper circuit | 5.3 km circuit | About 3 hours | A lookout over the Whitsunday Passage and islands |
| Swamp Bay walk | 1.8 km return from the turn-off | About 1.5 hours | A quiet pebble beach facing the islands |
| Coral Beach walk | 2.2 km return | About 1.5 hours | A small secluded beach |
| The Beak lookout | 3.6 km return | About 2.5 hours | Views over the Whitsunday Passage |
| Honeyeater lookout | 8.2 km return | About 3 hours | A steep climb to a view over Pioneer Bay and the islands |
Distances and times are from Queensland Parks. Take water, start early in summer, and check park alerts before you go.
Cedar Creek Falls
Cedar Creek Falls is a waterfall and fresh-water swimming hole in Conway National Park, about 30 minutes' drive from Airlie Beach via Cannonvale and Conway Road. The falls run best in the wet season or after heavy rain, and can be a trickle in the dry months. The swimming hole usually has water all year.
Groceries and supplies
Every apartment at Whitsunday Reflections has a full kitchen, so most guests do at least one supermarket run.
- Woolworths Airlie Beach is in town, on the corner of Shute Harbour Road and Waterson Way. It's the closest supermarket to the apartments.
- Coles is at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre in Cannonvale, a short drive west.
- Woolworths and Big W are at Whitsunday Plaza in Cannonvale, further west towards Proserpine.
- The Saturday markets are good for fruit, vegetables and coffee.
Parking at Whitsunday Reflections is free, so a car makes the supermarket run easy.
Airlie Beach questions
Can you swim at Airlie Beach?
Yes. The Airlie Beach Lagoon on the foreshore is free, patrolled by lifeguards and stinger-free all year. From late October to May, marine stingers can be in the sea off the mainland beaches, so the Lagoon is the safer swim in those months.
How far is Whitsunday Reflections from the centre of Airlie Beach?
Walking down from Whitsunday Reflections to the Airlie Beach Lagoon and main street takes about ten minutes on a paved footpath. The walk back up is steep, and a taxi up costs $8 to $13, or use Uber.
When are the Airlie Beach markets on?
The Airlie Beach markets are on every Saturday from 7am to 1pm, on the foreshore beside the Lagoon.
Where do tours leave from in Airlie Beach?
Most tours leave from Coral Sea Marina or the Port of Airlie, the two marinas either side of the town centre. A few leave from Shute Harbour. Your booking confirmation gives the departure point and check-in time.
Can Whitsunday Reflections book tours for me?
Yes. Paulette and Geoff run a tour desk at reception at Whitsunday Reflections. Guests who book their stay direct get discounts on some local tours, in their confirmation email. Call 0416 048 131 or ask at reception.
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.
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