| About the Region |
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Welcome to the Whitsundays, home to the world famous Great Barrier Reef. We are surrounded by 74 Islands, so why not take your time and explore! Airlie Beach is situated on the coastline between Mackay and Townsville and offers the perfect location to explore the fringing reef of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Accommodation in the Whitsundays offers the perfect holiday retreat for every budget. Airlie Beach provides a desirable destination for family holidays, romantic stays, weekend escapes and the thrifty traveller. Easy to access, we have Hamilton Island Airport and Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) with both Virgin Blue and Jetstar flying in daily. Qantas also have daily flights from Cairns to Hamilton Island. The Greyhound bus Terminal is just a short walk from the main street and local ferry transfers make an Island visit simple! The Whitsundays is the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, so it's no secret that we have a fantastic atmosphere! What was once a small beach side town is now a fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment retreat. Airlie Beach has some of the best award winning restaurants to be found along the coast. Shopping facilities are numerous with 3 shopping centres and the many pubs, clubs and bars provide a buzzing nightlife.
Local activities available include:
Compliment your stay in the Whitsundays with a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef or one of the many surrounding Islands. If doing the Islands there are choices of Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, snorkeling at Blue Pearl Bay (where there are many fish and corals not seen on the outer Reef), Luncheon Bay or Maureens Cove at the northern end of Hook Island. Fishing is also available from MV Moruya departing from Shute Harbour or MV Jillian from Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach. Head into the rainforest for walks or visit the crocodiles in their own habitat. Visit the markets on Saturday mornings along the Airlie Beach esplanade. Take a scenic flight and see everything from the air! Overnight boats depart every day to sail/cruise the Whitsunday Islands or outer Great Barrier Reef and are a memorable way to experience the region. Bare Boat Charters also operate from Abel Point Marina and Shute Harbour giving you the chance to skipper your own boat and set your own agenda.
The Whitsunday Islands are situated 20° 4' South and 148° 5' East and are on the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro, Mauritius and Tahiti. The wonderful climate is tropical with an average daily temperature of 27°C. January is the warmest month averaging 30°C and July the coolest month averaging 23°C. Upcoming developments include the Port of Airlie which will be a village style 5 star Marina providing state-of-the-art services including mechanical services, travel lifts and efueling. It will also incorporate a 140 room world class hotel, restaurants, retail shops, cafe's and a day spa. Plans can be viewed at www.meridienmarinas.com.au |
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