Where to Meet Backpackers in Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a backpacker haven. As one of the most visited places in Australia, the Whitsundays makes for an amazing place to meet other backpackers, form new friendships and even find new mates to travel with.
The Whitsundays themselves are known for the many sailing and boat tours that visit the islands, Whitehaven Beach, and the Great Barrier Reef, which is what most visitors look forward to while they are here. However, many visitors to the region also spend some time on the mainland of Airlie Beach, enjoying all the fun stuff on offer between tours. If you are planning to visit the area, here are the best places to meet other travellers in and around Airlie Beach.
Party Boats from Airlie Beach
Hop aboard the Atlantic Clipper, Siska, or Powerplay for an unforgettable party experience! Whether you are travelling alone or with friends, it is the perfect way to meet like-minded travellers you can turn into life-long friends. What could be more fun than touring the Whitsunday islands on a yacht with a friendly crew, good music, drinks, and all sorts of awesome activities (like snorkelling, diving, swimming, and sunbathing)?
Take a look through our top recommendations for backpacker-friendly boats and go wild!
After Parties in Airlie Beach
Most boat tours - particularly those designed for fun-loving backpackers - will host an after party the night that they return to shore. If you are going on a boat trip, be sure you ask your crew where everyone will be gathering after you are all back on land. Boaty's and Beaches are among the most popular bars for tour companies to host their after parties from. Often times, you'll get meal and drink deals at the after party, giving you an opportunity to hang out with the crew from your tour and get to know them even better!
Boaty's in Airlie Beach
As we mentioned above, Boaty's is a super popular spot among backpackers and boat crew. Go and spend some time on the deck, enjoy a game of pool, or join them for one of their weekly events like karaoke, trivia, or bingo. It is located at the beginning of the main street as soon as you enter Airlie Beach, next to the roundabout. With plenty of deck space, this venue is a great place to mingle, people watch, and meet other travellers!
Beaches Bar & Grill in Airlie Beach
Beaches Bar & Grill always has something on the go, making it a popular place for locals, travellers and backpackers. They often have meal deals, where drink and food combos are cheap, as well as nightly events, pool tables, dart boards and live music. It's the perfect place to new people or to take your new friends to break the ice and get to know each other better!
Airlie Beach Lagoon
The Airlie Beach Lagoon is an amazing place to hang out during warm, lazy days in Airlie Beach. Backpackers can often be found gathering around the public barbecues in the evening, or sunbathing and nursing hangovers in the afternoon. It is free and open to anyone and has amenities available such as bathrooms and change rooms. There are also lifeguards on duty during their opening hours, meaning it attracts a wide range of people from families to solo travellers and groups of locals.
Night Clubs in Airlie Beach
There are several late-night options in Airlie Beach for the party animals out there. Whether you want live music, DJs, or karaoke, there's a spot for you open until the early hours of the morning. Take a look through our favourite late night spots in our Airlie Beach nightlife guide.
No matter where you spend time in Airlie Beach, you are bound to meet like-minded travellers, with the opportunity to make friends to last a lifetime!
