23 Magical Things To Do In Airlie Beach

By

–> Updated:

Airlie Beach is best known for its stunning islands, lagoons, and snorkelling reef areas. It is also considered as one of the gateways to the Great Barrier Reef.

At the Whitsunday Islands, aside from snorkelling you can go jet skiing, diving, boating, or simply hang out with your friends in the great selection of beaches situated here.

It is pretty much surrounded by the most captivating beaches along the Queensland region.

The city is quite small, but there’s always something to do; it’s also one of the best places to watch the great sunset.

 

Airlie Beach

 

The ocean view is wonderful, it looks enormous from any observation platform, and the water is warm compared to other cities in Australia.

The beaches are always full of tourists sunbathing on the fine sand and people swimming.

It is a mandatory stop on any tour around the city or even to rest and relax while watching the sunset.

Best time to visit Airlie Beach?

The atmosphere of the city is basically subtropical with a normal daily temperature of 27 °C. It is for this reason why the Airlie Beach is the perfect spot to visit at whatever time of the year.

The summer months (December to February) is the peak season for tourism and the crowd arrival intensifies as the weather during the month of January reaches up to 30°C.

 

Visit Airlie Beach

 

The city becomes too busy, especially during the September/October vacation break.

Locals and tourists dominate the beaches, restaurants, and island hopping adventure tours because the ocean is calm and no rough waves can be experienced during these months.

Backpackers prefer this time of the year because the Reef Festival is observed, the waves are manageable and the weather is cool.

This atmosphere goes all the way up to the Christmas season. The winter season starts from June until August, but it is not characterized by freezing weather and below zero temperatures.

People can still swim in the ocean and enjoy the fresh and cold breeze from the sea.

Tourism activities like boating and snorkelling are best appreciated during these months because of the tolerable winter and calm atmosphere.

 

Visit Airlie Beach

 

Best things to do in Airlie Beach

Here are my favorite places to visit and famous tourist attractions that you can explore in Airlie Beach…

Airlie Beach Lagoon

The Airlie Beach Lagoon is a public swimming pool with lifesaving shady areas to lie down and relax.

Since you cannot go into the sea because of the jellyfish, this pond is the main entertainment place in the city.

It is very good to spend a day here with your family. It has restrooms, changing rooms, lifeguard and guide map to the different depths of the lagoon.

The Airlie Beach Lagoon is a safe place to bathe without worrying about the running water.

There are two pools with an interesting design with multiple curves and varying depths with one being lower for the children.

It also has a sheet covering and shaded sections in practically the entire area.

There is a parking lot, bars, and restaurants with exit to the lagoon.

 

Airlie Beach Lagoon

 

It is a saltwater pool overlooking the ocean where you can swim, especially when bathing in the sea is a bit dangerous due to the presence of the jellyfish (austral summer).

It is surrounded by lawns and palm trees, and electric barbecue picnic points for general use.

The Airlie lagoon is fantastic, very large and articulated on two units separated by a bridge, one meter and a half maximum height of the water, sand, palm trees and more.

The children have their playground while the parents relax by cooking at the electric barbecue grill that can be used for free.

There is even a play area for handicapped children. This is the largest man made water lagoon in Australia.

My favorite stuff to do in Airlie Beach

Hill Inlet

The Hill Inlet is simply spectacular and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the hill, you can admire the view of Whitehaven Beach with its white sand and blue sea.

The observation point is located on top of a small hill and you can see the beautiful beach as a whole. The feeling is idyllic and the view is breathtaking.

After the usual picture taking, you can descend and walk barefoot on the white beach. The colors of the sea are amazing and show different colors of blue that end up in the white sand beach.

It is impossible not to be enchanted by such great beauty! Quiet white beaches shaped by the sea, palm trees, sand, coral and parrots come together in a unique environment!

Probably, it is the view of the natural landscape that makes it the most remarkable beach in the world.

 

Hill Inlet

 

This place is not comparable to any other beaches because of the following reasons; marine reserves and protected natural park, fine sand that is composed of 98% pure silica, and it is the only beach in the world that makes noise! (As in the walk on the silica by rubbing causes the noise).

If it’s not the peak season, there is a reduced inflow of tourists to preserve the flora and fauna.

From the promontory which leads to the beach after a short path the view that one enjoys is simply breathtaking.

It can be admired in all its plain beauty, the landscape with clear water and long strips of silica sand.

The combination of the water and the color of the sand make it unique.

Fun things to do in Airlie Beach

Whitehaven Beach

The Whitehaven Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The classic tour consists of taking a 15-minute walk from the beach and the option to see the panoramic view in a gazebo.

If you go down to the beach, you will be amazed at the beauty of water, sand, and trees. It is best to fly over the area to get an overview of the beauty of the beach.

 

Whitehaven Beach

 

You can land in the water on board a seaplane and stay there for a couple of hours and admire the breathtaking scenery.

The white sand, the intact vegetation, the turquoise water and the view of the islands around with hydroplanes and catamarans around are unique and amazing! 100% recommend to everyone from anywhere in the world.

The only downside of this attraction is that despite the beautiful weather in the summer period, there is a risk of marine stingers (jellyfish) in the water.

Popular Airlie Beach tourist attractions

Bicentennial Walkway

The Bicentennial Walkway is a wooden pathway along the sea, which starts from Abel Point Marina, via the Coral Sea Resort, takes on the artificial lagoon on Airlie Beach and then the center of the town.

This is the best option to see all around the Airlie Beach and watch the sunset.

The ambience on the walk is really cool and you can see various animals along the way like cockatoo and pelicans.

 

Bicentennial Walkway

 

The walk is beautiful and super relaxing especially during the summer season. It is a great way to know the city and meet new friends.

Be careful not to get distracted and get into the water from the beach, it has many jellyfish. It is free and you can see so many popular restaurants and beaches of the city within two hours.

The place is safe and a favorite hangout by people with pets. Doggy bags are provided for proper disposal of their pet waste.

What else to do in Airlie Beach?

Whitsunday Jet Ski Tours

The staffs that operate the Whitsunday Jet Ski Tours are well trained and if it’s your first time to try the Jet Ski adventure, you don’t have to worry about anything because your safety is their topmost priority.

The tour is nice and funny; even the stop at the Daydream Island is interesting if you choose the tour with the animals. The lunch and drinks are included in the package.

There is also a bar on the island where you can have freshly made fruit juices. Even if you stumble in the beginning, they will encourage you to ride the Jet Ski and do it again and again.

Whitsunday offers their great service, excellent team, and a thrilling tour with the extreme fun factor.

They have a good course for beginners, the best meal, and a very attentive staff and Jet Ski guides. Book this adventure when in Airlie Beach; it is worth the money and effort!

Is Airlie Beach worth visiting?

The answer is Yes. Airlie Beach is worth visiting. This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following stunning place:

Whitsunday Great Walk

The Whitsunday Great Walk is a good place for an evening promenade in Airlie Beach. The route is just 3 km along the sea.

In this way you can reach the shopping center where you can buy food and even clothing.

Beautiful views, relaxing place and highly recommended for anyone travelling. The path is very easy to follow; there are points of parking, restrooms, and view of the Hill Inlet from this site.

There are different plants to see and are sensitive to the touch.

The walkway measures 27 km long and has three designated lookout points.

If you’re into photography, this is the best place to capture the most picturesque shots about Airlie Beach.

What else to see in Airlie Beach?

Ocean Rafting

The Ocean Rafting is a wonderful experience about speed boating in Airlie Beach. These nice guys will make you run around the Coral Sea on a raft hurtling at high speed.

In less than 40 minutes you will reach the Great Barrier Reef and go snorkelling among turtles, rays, and coral.

Then it starts to reach the Intel Lookout Hill, where at the top you’ll have a wonderful vision of the Whitehaven Beach.

There is a 30-minute stop to take wonderful photographs.

After shooting down the boat to the beach, lunch is served on the boat with a delicious buffet of salads, cold cuts and bread.

After the tour, it goes back to Airlie Beach with sea ride at breakneck speed.

The tour is characterized by a youthful spirit in a boat that can accommodate at least thirty people, but at the same time attentive to the needs of customers and the enhancement of the show that nature offers in that corner of paradise.

The boat itself is an adventure. The speed and the waves hit the boat all the time and the passengers get completely wet.

It is great fun in the ocean, but it is not recommended for small children or older people.

The Whitehaven Beach is a spectacle and you can enjoy the view of the gazebo and swim on the beach for a good 2 hours.

On the way back to Arlie Beach and if it’s the whale hunting season, you can have the opportunity to do a whale watching tour from a really close distance.

Popular places to visit in Airlie Beach

Cruise Whitsundays – Day Cruises

The Cruise Whitsundays – Day Cruises is a well organized day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This tour is ideal for families and can be fully enjoyed for a day.

They have excellent tour guides, sufficient staff and care and allow enough time on the reef for snorkelling and diving.

First, the catamaran brings you towards the Whitehaven Beach. Then, you will be transferred in the dinghy to the beach.

You must stay on the dinghy while lunch is being prepared on the ship. They serve meat, sausages, grilled fish and salads, bread, and fruits.

The chilled soft drinks, wine, and beer are available all the time and you can help yourself. The boat goes to the bay where you can snorkel.

Afterwards, the boat heads to the islands and towards the home port. The crew is nice, funny and helpful; and this is the best option to explore the Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet.

Everything is clean and really looks after their guests on board the boat.

Who wants to spend a nice day on the water, want to relax and still want to experience something extraordinary when in Airlie Beach, this tour is highly recommended.

Things to do in Airlie Beach with kids

Whitsundays Sailing Adventures

The cruise with the Whitsundays Sailing Adventures is without a doubt one of the best highlights of the tour along the Great Barrier Reef.

You will be impressed by the expertise of the skipper and the chef on board. Aside from seeing the whales and turtles, you can borrow the snorkel gears and see countless colorful fish and big corals.

The crew is super nice and the prepared food is delicious and plenty. In bad weather it is rather not recommendable because there is a strong chance for the waves to get too high.

The boat can accommodate 12 people and the best part of the tour is how responsive the staff is when it comes to the requests of their guests during the trip.

With this tour company, the itinerary is well chosen and fit. There are plenty of snorkelling and diving opportunities and the crew provides impeccable service.

The days of sunshine and the scenery are stunning; it is essential to bring a good camera to capture the beauty of the city’s panorama.

Travel tip: Do not go on just the day trip, spend one night at least and enjoy the sea!

Things to do around Airlie Beach

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari

The Whitsunday Crocodile Safari offers pure excitement and an impressive tour of the wildlife in Airlie Beach.

Scottie the guide is a walking encyclopedia who is very committed to the Crocodiles and nature in general.

First, there is a river trip in the Proserpine River where you can see not only the large crocodiles, but also baby crocodiles.

 

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari

 

If you’re daring enough, you can up to 3 meters approach them, but you must also be quick to return because they can display violent reactions within seconds.

After a very impressive boat trip there are BBQ parties for the guests and then continue the tour in a small trailer-train where you can see wallabies and learn the story behind the city’s geography.

This tour has a great and dedicated team, very informative, exciting excursion, and provides the transport back to the hotel where you’re billeted.

Must see places in Airlie Beach

GSL Aviation

The GSL Aviation is an outdoor activity that gives super value for money and good friendly service. This aerial tour of the city is one of the must things to do when in Airlie Beach.

The top spots are approached from both sides so that everyone in the aircraft has the ability to shoot the best pictures.

The seats are allocated according to weight by the pilot. The one hour scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef, Hill Inlet, and the Whitsundays will not leave you disappointed.

The view from above on the Great Barrier Reef is one of the moments in your life that you don’t want to miss under any circumstances.

The service with pick-up and the accommodation is equally impressive.

The service is excellent and the staffs are very professional; make sure to avail of this tour when in Airlie Beach.

 

GSL Aviation

 

Certainly, Airlie Beach one of the most remarkable cities in the Queensland region. The clear water, white sand, and the tide rapidly changing make this entire city blessed with a stunning beauty.

It is worth going to the lookout points to see this wonder in various shades of blue! You can see fish, jellyfish, and even rays on the beach.

Plan your tour accordingly and be sure to visit the Airlie Beach when in Australia; you will not regret every single day of your stay on this paradise island.


By

->Last Updated:

ABOUT ME

I’m Jeff – I’m like a human GPS, but instead of giving you directions, I give you the inside scoop on how to have the time of your life on your next holiday.

As a born & raised Floridian, I know my home state like the back of my hand.

From the excitement of Orlando’s theme parks to the natural beauty of the Everglades, I’ve explored it all.

About Us Jeff from TravelMagma

But Florida is just the beginning of my adventures.

I’ve traveled across the US, from the red rocks of Sedona to the lively streets of New York City.

Overseas, I’ve marveled at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and tasted gelato in the piazzas of Rome.

My most unforgettable trip was a safari in Kenya.

Seeing elephants, lions and zebras in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I even wrote a Book!

So come along for the ride and let me help curate your next epic getaway!

Let’s connect on My FB – and share our stories together!