Cheap Things To Do In Airlie Beach For Backpackers
If you've recently arrived in Airlie Beach and you're on that backpacker budget, I'm sure you'll be hunting down the cheapest ways to enjoy your time here. Lucky for you, we have figured out the best things to do at the lowest costs so you can enjoy your time in Airlie Beach cheaply.
From budget boat tours to free attractions, it's easy to explore the Whitsundays on a budget!
10 Cheap Things To Do In Airlie Beach For Backpackers
Whether you want a social sailing tour, adrenaline activities, or just chill ways to enjoy Airlie Beach for free, we've got you covered! Airlie Beach is one of the best backpacker towns in Australia, complete with warm weather, fun nightlife, and stunning natural beauty.
Check out these top backpacker tours in Airlie Beach!
1. Take a day trip to Whitehaven Beach or Hamilton Island
Day trips are one of the most affordable ways to explore the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. You can find day trips to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach for only around $200, where you can snorkel, sunbathe, and get epic photos at Hill Inlet Lookout. Or book a cheap and exciting day trip to Hamilton Island from Airlie Beach. Make use of the resort pool, go for bush walks, visit the many restaurants and shops, and relax on the beach. Each trip will have you experiencing the breathtaking views of the Whitsundays as you cruise over to your destination.
2. Go skydiving
Everyone knows that skydiving isn't the cheapest of activities. But it is actually affordable in Airlie Beach! Compared to other destinations around Australia, particularly those in NSW such as Wollongong or Newcastle, Airlie Beach has one of the cheapest skydive prices. So if you are dying to check this off your bucket list, Airlie Beach is the perfect place to go skydiving!
3. Join a cheap backpacker overnight sailing trip
Backpackers looking for the ultimate Whitsunday Islands experience should consider a multiday sailing tour! Though the price tag may look higher than a day trip, overnight trips are actually amazing value because all your accommodations and meals are included. For example, the iconic maxi yacht Atlantic Clipper includes 2 days of activities, 2 nights of accommodation, and 2 days worth of meals. Plus you get breathtaking ocean views at sunrise and sunset, and you get to party on a boat! The prices are overall very affordable and you get so much bang for your buck.
4. Have a BBQ and watch the sunset
A beachfront BBQ is one of the cheapest ways to dine in Airlie Beach. Pop over to the Woolworths behind McDonald’s on Airlie’s main street, buy yourself some sausages, salads and bread for under $15 and go secure yourself a BBQ on Airlie’s foreshore. Cook up a storm and settle in to watch the Whitsundays display a gorgeous array of colours as the sun sets.
5. Hang out at the Airlie Beach Lagoon
Located right in the heart of downtown Airlie Beach lies the iconic Airlie Beach Lagoon. This free public swimming pool is a beloved hang out spot for locals and backpackers alike. Here you can curl up under a palm tree and have a morning or afternoon of maximum relaxation. Bring a towel, a book, and your swimmers and have a beautiful time hanging out in the sunshine.
6. Treat yourself to an ice cream
Whether you want to cool off after an afternoon by the lagoon, or you’re craving that after-dinner treat, Airlie has a few ice cream shops that’ll hit the spot. Take your pick of Cold Rock, Gelatissimo, or Gelatiamo Dolce Patisserie & Gelato to satisfy that sweet tooth. If it's an after-dinner treat, wander through Airlie’s lively boulevard after dinner with your $5 cone, take in the fairy lights along the foreshore and see the streets come to life. Definitely worth the ice cream headache!
7. Go for a sunset sail
For under $100 you can climb aboard a yacht and romantically sail off into the sunset on one of our Sunset Cruises. Take your backpacker friends or just yourself and mingle with like-minded strangers as you watch the sky fill with majestic colours as the sun fades behind the islands. Complimentary nibbles and bubbles are included so you can kick back, relax and take in the beauty of the Whitsundays offshore.
8. Visit the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation
If you’re like us and love a coffee (or ten) a day, then we have exciting news for you! The Whitsundays have their very own coffee plantation, known as Whitsunday Gold. In fact, it is one of the largest coffee plantations in Australia. Located on the Proserpine River and nestled into the luscious valley is where you can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. You can also grab lunch as they have an affordable, delicious menu you can indulge in.
9. Get your thrill on a jetski tour
If you’re keen on a hit of adrenaline, splurge just a little and book an epic jetski tour in Airlie Beach! Get ‘insta’ worthy photos on your Jetski with that beautiful island backdrop that will make your friends back home super envious! Experience the turquoise waters and exotic marine life up close with the guidance of a local expert. This is a fun and affordable way to spend a few hours in Airlie Beach!
10. Go hiking
Those who love a good outdoor adventure can hit one of the hiking trails around Airlie Beach! Hikes are free and one of the best cheap things to do for backpackers. Grab some friends, some water, and a camera and get exploring in the lush tropical wilderness! Honeyeater Lookout and Mount Rooper are popular trails near Airlie Beach. Either hire a car or take an Uber or taxi to the trailhead, or in the case of the Honeyeater you can walk there from downtown Airlie Beach!
Is Airlie Beach Good For Backpackers?
Airlie Beach is one of the best places in Australia for backpackers because of its tropical weather, cheap boat tours, fun nightlife, and charming community. With a variety of budget day trips and sailing tours out to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, you can explore gorgeous locations on a budget. Airlie Beach is also small and easy to get around, so you can walk to the best eateries and nightclubs with your new mates easily. It's a backpacker's paradise!
