Airlie Beach road trips

Airlie Beach in Queensland is the main hub for the Whitsunday Islands.

Things to do in Airlie Beach include hiking the Airlie Creek Track, swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon and Whitsundays kayaking tours, plus helicopter flights and day trips to Hamilton Island.

9 memory-making Airlie Beach experiences to add to your visit

Whitehaven Beach day cruise – with plenty of snorkelling thrown in.
Glass bottom boat tour – see coral and marine life without getting wet.
Heart Reef flight – see the islands and Great Barrier Reef from above before flying over Australia’s famous heart-shaped island.
Proserpine River crocodile safari – see the big crocs from a boat.
Whitsundays sunset cruise – with free snacks and sparkling wine.
Sailing on the Camira – glide around the Whitsunday Islands under sail.
Whizz around the islands on a guided jetski tour.
Waterfall explorer day tour – with swimming in Hinterland rock pools.
Enjoy high speed thrills on a jet boat ride.

There are also multiple day trips from Airlie Beach to the other Whitsunday Islands, include Daydream Island, Whitsunday Island and South Molle Island.

Airlie Beach also features in several Australia road trip routes.

Distances and driving times for road trips starting or ending in Airlie Beach are listed below. Times are estimates created using Google Maps. Click through for full road trip guides.

Airlie Beach distances and driving times

Airlie Beach to Cairns: Distance 619km, driving time 7h19m. (More Cairns road trips).

Airlie Beach to Mission Beach: Distance 507km, driving time 5h47m.

Airlie Beach to Port Douglas: Distance 684km, driving time 8h15m. (More Port Douglas road trips).

Airlie Beach to Townsville: Distance 272km, driving time 3h24m. (More Townsville road trips).

Bowen to Airlie Beach: Distance 80km, driving time one hour.

Brisbane to Airlie Beach: Distance 1,114km, driving time 12h36m. (More Brisbane road trips).

Clairview to Airlie Beach: Distance 276km, driving time 3h7m.

Emerald to Airlie Beach: Distance 500km, driving time 5h26m. (More Emerald road trips).

Gladstone to Airlie Beach: Distance 825km, driving time 9h8m. (More Gladstone road trips).

Gold Coast to Airlie Beach: Distance 1,193km, driving time 13h.

Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach: Distance 964km, driving time 9h34m. (More Hervey Bay road trips).

Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach: Distance 55km, driving time 44m.

Mackay to Airlie Beach: Distance 151km, driving time 1h52m. (More Mackay road trips).

Melbourne to Airlie Beach: Distance 2,383km, driving time 26h. (More road trips from Melbourne).

Noosa to Airlie Beach: Distance 1,014km, driving time 11h24m.

Proserpine to Airlie Beach: Distance 26km, driving time 23m.

Rockhampton to Airlie Beach: Distance 482km, driving time 4h12m. (More Rockhampton road trips).

Sarina to Airlie Beach: Distance 184km, driving time 2h8m.

Sydney to Airlie Beach: Distance 1,889km, driving time 21h8m. (More road trips from Sydney).

Yeppoon to Airlie Beach: Distance 507km, driving time 5h28m. (More Yeppoon road trips).

Which Whitsundays cruise should I choose?

For those with limited time: Whitehaven Beach half day tour.
For the highlights reel: Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island day trip.
To see the reef two ways: High speed Whitsundays cruise plus scenic reef flight combo.
For romance, sparkling wine and sunset under sail: Multi-beach and reef Lady Enid cruise.
To see several islands: Sailing and snorkelling adventure.
For an overnight sailing adventure: Matador two day yacht cruise.