Check out our top three day trips from Airlie Beach.
At the heart of Queensland’s Whitsundays region, you’ll find the beautiful, tropical, laid-back coastal town of Airlie Beach. There is so much fun to be had here like visiting beautiful tropical beaches, wandering through lush rainforests, and dining out in award-winning restaurants and cafes. But if we had to pick our top three-day trips from Airlie Beach it would have to be the pristine Whitehaven Beach, the incredible Great Barrier Reef, and the natural beauty of Cedar Creek Falls. Read on to find out why.
Whitehaven Beach
Picture this, a bright white sandy beach stretching for seven kilometres with clear swirls of turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. The water is warm, and the sun is out. It’s the perfect place to relax and experience one of Australia’s most iconic and beautiful beaches.
Protected by the Whitsundays Islands National Park, Whitehaven Beach has been voted as the world’s top eco-friendly beach as well as Queensland’s cleanest beach. To get a good look at this pristine beach, make your way to Tongue Point. From here you will be able to see a beautiful tapestry of colours, especially during low tide. Down below on the sandy beach, you may get lucky and spot turtles and dolphins swimming through the water.
It’s 33km between Airlie and Whitehaven Beach and there are a few ways to get there. For a speedy trip of just under an hour, travel by high-speed boat or for a cruisier option, travel by sailboat which will take about two hours. For something a little more luxurious, you can take a scenic flight on board a helicopter or seaplane and be there in as little as 15 minutes. This is a great option for a birds-eye view of Whitehaven Beach and its surroundings.
Great Barrier Reef
You can’t visit Airlie Beach and not spend a day exploring one of Australia’s great natural wonders, The Great Barrier Reef. Made up of the largest collection of coral reefs in the world, it covers an area of 348,000 square kilometres and can even be seen from space.
There are many ways to explore the reef depending on your style and budget. To get a close look down below, join a guided scuba dive or snorkel tour. There are many dive operators in Airlie Beach that will take you out on a day trip by boat. Once under the water, you can expect to see a colourful display of coral, tropical fish, sharks, rays, turtles and more.
To get a look from above, there are many cruising options from catamarans, yachts, and speed boats. You can travel by boat to a pontoon in the middle of the reef where you can spend the day. Here you can laze about the sundeck or use the snorkel equipment provided to get a closer look.
To travel in style, take a scenic flight for a bird’s eye view of the reef. From up above you will be able to see the beautiful colours of the water, islands, and reef. An experience like no other that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Cedar Creek Falls
Cedar Creek Falls is a natural waterhole with a stunning waterfall. Just 30 kilometres from Airlie Beach, it’s a short drive to spend a day surrounded by natural beauty. It’s the perfect place to escape the tropical heat and do as little or as much as you like.
Trek along the bushwalking track through white cedar trees and spot the local wildlife on your travels. There are plenty of native birds, lizards, and butterflies along the track. After working up a sweat take a dip in the waterhole whilst listening to the water gush down the cliff face. You may even spot a turtle or two taking a swim.
Pack a picnic lunch, plenty of water and sunscreen and spend the day enjoying this tranquil sanctuary of total bliss.
Book your trip to Airlie Beach and stay at Tasman Holiday Parks – Airlie Beach. Create beautiful moments exploring the tropical coastline, beaches or getting out to the reef. Then, when you come home there is everything you need to relax, play, and cook up a storm for dinner in this beautiful Airlie Beach caravan park.
