How Do You Get To Airlie Beach?
There are a few different ways to get to Airlie Beach, but the most popular is by flying into Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) in Proserpine. However you choose to get here, you’re in for a journey like no other. Whether you plan on embarking on a sailing adventure around the Whitsunday Islands, uncovering the vibrant marine wonderland that is the fringing Great Barrier Reef, or chilling out on the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the holiday of a lifetime. In this guide, we’ll lay out the different ways you can travel to Airlie Beach and start making the most of this dream destination!
Can you fly to Airlie Beach?
Yes, typically people get to Airlie Beach by flying into Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) in Proserpine. The airport is just a 30 minute drive from Airlie Beach. If you’re not planning to make that drive by car or taxi, there are airport coach services that can take you directly to your accommodation in the dreamy beach town.
Alternatively, you can fly into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) and then take a short ferry to the mainland. You can fly directly to Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island from major Aussie cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with airlines Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas. Typically it takes around 2 and a half hours to fly to Airlie Beach from Sydney, 3 hours to fly to Airlie from Melbourne, and just 1 hour and 50 minutes to fly from Brisbane.
Driving to Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a very popular road trip destination, so it’s pretty easy to get there by car. How long the drive will take depends on where you’re planning to begin your journey from, but as long as you can make your way onto the Bruce Highway, you’ll be on the right track. The Bruce Highway, which stretches all the way from Brisbane to Cairns, will take you to Proserpine, at which point you can turn toward the coast until you reach Airlie Beach.
If you begin your journey in Brisbane, the drive to Airlie Beach will take you approximately 12 hours. But if you’re starting from the other end of the highway in Cairns, you can expect your journey to take about 7 hours. Be sure to take the time to admire the stunning views of the Queensland coastline during your drive! You’re bound to spot all sorts of gorgeous natural attractions and sweet stopover towns that’ll help you break up the journey.
Is there a bus to Airlie Beach?
Yes, there are local and national bus services that can take you right to the centre of Airlie Beach. This is the most popular mode of transport for backpackers, since Airlie Beach is an unmissable stop for those embarking on an East Coast tour. Not only that, but it’s a great way to save some dollars and take the pressure off your journey. Kick back and relax in an air-conditioned If you’re starting your journey from outside of town, look into bus operators like Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service, who offer routes from popular destinations like Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, or more regional spots. While Greyhound offers both a Hop-on, Hop-off pass and a more flexible, unlimited WHIMit pass, Premier Motor Service sells direct tickets and Hop-on, Hop-off passes.
Those who are looking for a more local bus into Airlie, coming from Proserpine, Cannon Valley or Shute Harbour, can avail of Whitsunday Transit, the local bus operator. As part of a new Queensland initiative, local bus fares cost just 50c, no matter how far you’re travelling! This is set to last until the new year, at which point the government will decide whether to implement this initiative permanently. So be sure to take advantage while you can! Simply step onto the bus from the bus stop closest to your accommodation and hand the driver your 50c coin. It’s worth noting that, unlike some major Australian cities, public transport services in Airlie Beach only accept cash - so keep those cards and Apple wallets in your pocket!
Do Cruise Ships go to Airlie Beach?
Yes, Airlie Beach is a particularly popular stop for cruise ships that are journeying up or down the East Coast of Australia. Cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean will often give their lucky guests a chance to explore Airlie Beach, chill out by the lagoon, enjoy some top class food and drinks, indulge in boutique shopping, and maybe even set out on a day tour. Generally, cruise ship passengers aren’t in Airlie Beach for long enough to enjoy boat tours to Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays, but there is a selection of shorter tours that are specifically designed to cater for cruise guests who are passing through town!
