Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach: Distance, drive time & best stops

The Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach drive covers a distance of 55km in a driving time of around 44 minutes. This makes Hideaway Bay a feasible base for doing tours from Airlie Beach.

The drive from Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach connects a sleepy holiday village in the Whitsundays region of Queensland to the area’s main accommodation and activity hub.

Get the best Whitsundays cruise deals

Airlie Beach brings Whitsunday Islands sailing and snorkelling cruises, coral and marine life viewing from a glass-bottom boat and day cruises to the staggering white sands of Whitehaven Beach. To explore the full range of Airlie Beach tours and experiences, investigate here. For Airlie Beach accommodation bargains, look here.

Hideaway Bay and neighbouring Dingo Beach are close enough to use as a much more chilled-out base while occasionally going into Airlie for tours.

Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach is 55km. That makes for a driving time of around 44 minutes.

It’s a relatively simple drive down Cape Gloucester from Hideaway Bay. Hydeaway Bay Drive quickly joins Dingo Beach Road, which joins the Gregory-Cannon Valley Road just before it terminates at the Bruce Highway.

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.

Hideaway Bay to Airlie Beach drive: Cannonvale

Head along the Gregory-Cannon Valley Road until it reaches Shute Harbour Road. This skirts the northern edge of Conway National Park, and continues into Cannonvale.

Cannonvale and Airlie Beach are essentially the same place, although Cannonvale is less rowdy and has plenty of apartment-style accommodation.

The road into Airlie Beach itself runs alongside the Bicentennial Walkway – one of several genial walking routes in these parts. Once you’ve arrived, you may wish to try the Honeyeater Lookout Trail or Airlie Creek Track.

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.