Bundaberg to Airlie Beach road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Bundaberg to Airlie Beach drive: The final leg
It’s another 151km from Mackay to Airlie Beach, but you may wish to try two excellent side trips. Eungella National Park brings platypus-spotting at Broken River, plus the waterfall hikes and swimming holes of Finch Hatton Gorge.
At Cape Hillsborough National Park, meanwhile, you can see wallabies and kangaroos on the beach.
The road leading to Airlie Beach comes just after Proserpine, where you can enjoy a crocodile-spotting cruise on the Proserpine River. You’ll pass quieter Cannonvale on the way into Airlie.
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.
Fun things to do in Airlie Beach include walking the Airlie Creek Track, swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon and Whitsundays kayaking tours. Other options include helicopter flights and day trips to Hamilton Island.
There are also multiple day trips from Airlie Beach to the other Whitsunday Islands.
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.
Airlie Beach accommodation picks
Specialist Australian booking site Wotif offers Airlie Beach accommodation for from $114 a night. You can look through the best deals here.
However, some Airlie Beach accommodation options are worth highlighting:
- On a budget: Tasman Holiday Parks Airlie Beach.
- For families: Big4 Adventure Whitsundays Resort.
- For waterfront apartments: At Marina Shores.
- For pampering: Coral Sea Marina Resort.
- For great value: Colonial Palms Motor Inn.
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