Mackay to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Mackay to Cairns road trip: The Whitsundays
From Proserpine, in all likelihood, you’ll branch off towards Airlie Beach, unless you do a Proserpine River crocodile cruise. The Proserpine to Airlie Beach drive takes 23 minutes. Airlie is the hub for Whitsundays cruises. But you can also take a Whitsundays kayaking tour or go swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon.
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.
Otherwise, continue north towards the handsome town of Bowen. Here, the Catalina Memorial tells the remarkable tales of the World War II flying boats. Horseshoe Bay, meanwhile, offers terrific snorkelling.
Where to stay in Bowen
The best Bowen accommodation choices are:
- For families: Queens Beach Tourist Village.
- For great value apartments with kitchens: Palm View Holiday Apartments.
- For Horseshoe Bay beachside location: Horseshoe Bay Resort.
- For central location, free parking and kitchenettes: Port Denison Motor Inn.
Click through for the next section: Cape Gloucester and Ayr.