Australia / Airlie Beach - Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
The town has evolved from a backpacker's resort to a full-fledged 5-star luxury resort thanks to the beautiful setting and the proximity of the Great Barrier Reef on Australia's east coast. Warm weather all year round and top accommodation conditions make Airlie Beach a top destination for millions of tourists each year.
General Info
Generally regarded as one of the biggest entry points to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s biggest attraction on the east coast. This town in Queensland is now a fully-fledged Yacht Charter tourist destination, but for a long time it was just a backpacker’s paradise, fairly wild and with little accommodation.
Airlie Beach is positioned on a peninsula that acts as a gateway between the Whitsunday Islands and the mainland, thus facilitating numerous visitors each year passing through or just. Ironically, though it bears the name “beach”, it’s not known as a particularly good swimming area since numerous jellyfish populate the waters surrounding it, a serious deterrent to any Yacht Charter sailor, but the local authorities have built an artificial lagoon.
Travel & Arrival
Such a major tourist resort on the east coast enjoys a good infrastructure to cope with the big numbers of seasonal Yacht Charter travelers that reach millions on a yearly basis. The airport is the preferred method, both for foreigners and locals alike who land at Prosepine Airport (aka Whitsunday Coast Airport). The main airlines travelling here are Virgin Blue and Jetstar but there are also European providers making trips “down under”. Getting back to town can be done via any of the bus services that cater the airport but pre booking is not just a wise choice, it’s a lifesaver during the tourist season.
Though not as large as neighboring Townsville which a metropolis on its own, Airlie does have rail and road access, linking it with other towns on the east coast such as Brisbane or Melbourne. The A1 highway passes west of the city and there is a train station at Prosepine airport for local Yacht Charter boatmen arriving in.
Avant & Apres Sail
If you think of swimming while in Airlie Beach, the best idea is to do it outside jellyfish season, anytime except October to May. The artificial lagoon however has been gatting marvouls reviews, and not just by the Yacht Charter guests, but also by the locals which come here to lounge during the hot days.
The neighboring reefs make wonderful sailing trips that are preferred not only by the little ones but also by the seasoned Yacht Charter skippers, due to the beauty of the landscape. And all the reefs have been explored, just take a boat out and go visit the rest of the Whitsunday Archipelago.
The fair weather here provides an endless number of hours lounging in the sun’s rays and Yacht Charter visitors take full advantage of the perfect tropical climate. Accommodation here is as varied as the town itself, whether you’re looking to just pitch a tent or sit in a luxurious hotel room. For those family groups it’s important to mention that the local hotels do provide children’s programs and babysitting services.
Shopping in Airlie Beach is about as popular as sunbathing. With numerous brands outlets open 7 days a week it’s hard to resist temptation to get at least a few souvenirs from your Yacht Charter trip. However, if you’re not into blowing all your money on trinkets then the famous Saturday markets found on the Esplanade are the place for you.
When it comes to eating, the locals have down right to an art form. The hungry or simply culinary curious Yacht Charter enthusiasts can enjoys seafood specialties and the famous grilled recipes that Ozzies are so fond of. But there are also establishments that serve international dishes: American cuisine is widely preferred, but you can also find the ubiquitous Italian, Oriental and Asian cuisines.
At night the city does not go to sleep, on the contrary, it comes alive with the groups of fun-seeking Yacht Charter tourists. There are pubs, bars and cafes all along the bay shore, one more tempting than the other with activities ranging from karaoke to live entertainment.
Events & Actions
Most of the fun stuff you can do in Airlie Beach is in some way related to the water and the reefs. The famous glass-bottom boat rides are a favorite with family groups, as are the snorkeling lessons or the romantic boat cruises out to the remote islands. Yacht Charter devotees will probably get a kick out of scuba diving into the reef or out of the stunning white sand beaches of Whitehaven Beach.
There are also a lot of regattas and sailing events to keep the Yacht Charter aficionados satisfied, the most famous being the Airlie Beach Regatta or the numerous amateur races that are organized throughout the year.