How To Get To the Whitsundays: Travel Guide
The Whitsunday Islands is Queensland’s most popular destination among international and domestic travellers. With 74 islands of pristine beaches, crystal clear water, and an abundance of marine life, it’s easy to see why the Whitsundays attract over 960,000 visitors every year.
If you’re looking at the Whitsunday Islands for your next adventure, we’ve compiled a complete list of travel options and routes to the Whitsundays region, including direct flights and the most direct road trips.
Fly to the Whitsundays
Travelling by plane to the Whitsundays is by far the easiest and fastest way to get to the region. There are two airports in the Whitsundays Region – the Whitsunday Coast Airport and the Great Barrier Reef Airport.
Flights tend to run year-round, though seasonal conditions can shift timetables and capacity – so it’s important to book your flight early once you have the trip dates confirmed.
Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine
The Whitsunday Coast Airport is located in Gunyarra, Queensland, 14km south of Proserpine. This airport services direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Cairns, with major airline carriers like Jetstar and Virgin Australia.
The Whitsunday Coast Airport itself is easy to navigate and has multiple pick up areas for shuttle services and car hires for transport to Airlie Beach.
Pro tip: check whether your accommodation provider offers free shuttle services from the Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine Airport) – most do!
Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island
The second airport in the Whitsundays is on Hamilton Island itself. Arriving on Hamilton Island lands you directly in the Whitsunday Islands – you’ll be greeted by a tropical island atmosphere from the moment you step onto the tarmac. Great Barrier Reef Airport welcomes direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns.
Hamilton Island has several premium accommodation options from holiday homes to 5-star hotels for those who want to stay on the island. There are also ferry services from Hamilton Island Marina to Airlie Beach and other resorts on nearby islands.
Drive to the Whitsundays Region
Driving into the Whitsundays is also an option – many travellers choose to make a road trip out of it to explore destinations like the Whitsundays Great Walk and Cedar Creek Falls on the way to Airlie Beach.
Car Hire From Proserpine Airport
If you’re flying into Proserpine and prefer the freedom of your own vehicle, there are car rental desks just past arrivals. The drive from the airport to Airlie Beach takes roughly thirty minutes.
The benefit of choosing a car hire is having the opportunity to explore attractions outside of Airlie Beach – you can spend 1-2 days ideally at the tail end of your trip driving to the places like the Whitsunday Crocodile Safari or Cedar Creek Falls before returning the vehicle at Proserpine Airport.
Road Trip from Cairns/Brisbane
It’s a pleasant drive from Cairns in the North or Brisbane in the South – the drive to Airlie Beach takes around 7 hours (non-stop) from Cairns, and 12 hours (non-stop) from Brisbane.
You can break up the journey with stops at Rockhampton, Bundaberg, or Townsville. It may extend the road trip to two days of travel, but at a more relaxed pace and plenty of time to explore local towns.
Bus Routes to Airlie Beach
Buses and coaches run through to Airlie Beach from major cities in Queensland.
860 Bus
Operated by Translink, the 860 runs between Proserpine and Shute Harbour with a stop in Airlie Beach. Timetables connect with certain incoming flights, making it a convenient and low-cost option for those headed straight to Airlie Beach.
Coach from Cairns/Brisbane
Long-distance coach companies link Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, and Airlie Beach. These coaches offer a comfortable way to travel to the Whitsundays with ample luggage storage and onboard Wi-Fi. Long-distance coach schedules also run overnight, allowing you to reach Airlie Beach early in the day to make the most of the trip.
Train Services to Proserpine
Queensland Rail runs long-distance train services through the region with Proserpine Station serving as the rail stop for Airlie Beach. The Spirit of Queensland operates between Brisbane and Cairns with sleeper seating, meal services, and comfortable cabins with various fare types.
Once you arrive at Proserpine, you need to swap over to shuttle buses or private transfer services to get to Airlie Beach.
