5 Best Day Trips from Airlie Beach
From solo backpacking adventures, to couples’ romantic getaways, or family vacations, or trips with friends, Airlie Beach is a traveller’s dream destination. Airlie Beach is a coastal town in far North Queensland, home to laid-back locals, turquoise waters, and stunning hikes; it’s also the gateway to the iconic Whitsundays region, Great Barrier Reef, and Whitehaven Beach.
With so much natural beauty, whether it’s a three day long-weekend or a two week stay, you will never run out of things to do in Airlie Beach. But with limited time on your holiday, make sure you aren’t missing out on the best day trips from Airlie Beach.
On your visit, be sure to include these 5 best day trips from Airlie Beach and get the most out of your stay in the beautiful Whitsundays region.
5 Must-Do Day Trips from Airlie Beach
1. Great Barrier Reef Tour
When Airlie Beach is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Great Barrier Reef, it would be a shame to miss out on Australia’s most prized possession. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, spanning over 2,300+ kilometres and comprising more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
As there is so much to do and see in the Great Barrier Reef, a sailing tour with an experienced guide taking you to the must-see spots will ensure you get the most out of your experience. Plenty of Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tours regularly depart from Airlie Beach, allowing visitors to see and snorkel through the world-renowned landmark in all its glory.
2. Adventure to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout
Tick off another bucket list item while in Airlie Beach and adventure to the breathtakingly beautiful Whitehaven Beach. Located on Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach boasts white, soft, and fine sand that leads into crystal-clear turquoise water. But the beauty doesn’t stop there!
Hill Inlet, located on the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, provides the perfect viewing spot for the shifting white silica sands in mesmerising patterns, as well as a jaw-dropping outlook of the Whitsunday islands. The trail up to the lookout is 1.3km, with panoramic views throughout the short uphill walk. Book a Whitehaven Beach Tour to explore some of the world’s most stunning beaches during your stay in Airlie Beach.
3. Honeyeater Lookout Walk
One of the most well-known bushwalks in the Whitsundays is the Honeyeater Lookout Walk. Beginning at the top of Kara Crescent in Airlie Beach, the Walk is an 8km round-trip with birds-eye and panoramic views of Cannonvale, the Coral Sea, the Whitsunday Islands, and the coastal town of Airlie Beach. A mostly uphill and relatively steep trail to the Lookout, Honeyeater is for anyone up for a challenge.
Alternatively, those who prefer a more leisurely walk can spend the day walking along the Bicentennial Boardwalk. The Bicentennial walk stretches from Airlie Beach’s lagoon through to the sands of Cannonvale Beach, offering stunning views the entire way. While the Bicentennial Boardwalk is also an 8km round-trip, it’s mostly flat and pedestrian-friendly.
4. Scuba Diving Tour
While visiting Airlie Beach, grab your swimmers, towel, and sunblock, and scuba dive with some of the world’s most diverse marine life. Say hello to schools of clownfish, large but gentle turtles, and spotty groupers while you drift among colourful coral.
Whether you are a seasonal scuba diver or trying it out for the first time (what better way to start your scuba diving experience than in the Whitsundays?), there is a range of scuba diving tours departing from Airlie Beach to suit all levels.
If scuba diving isn’t your thing, most Whitsunday Sailing Tours offer snorkelling, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding options so everyone can experience the underwater wonder.
5. Visit Conway National Park
Drive 16 km down the road from Airlie Beach and spend the day in the peaceful Conway National Park. This coastal park is home to rainforests, waterfalls, secluded beaches, and panoramic views of the Whitsunday Islands.
In the peaceful ambience of Conway National Park, the only decision you’ll need to make is what activity to do first. Between hiking and biking part of the 28km Conway Circuit, enjoying bushwalking to Coral Beach, and floating in the clear waters at Cedar Creek Falls, you won’t run out of things to do in Conway National Park.
Sail Around the Whitsunday Islands
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, so make sure to get out on the water and see all of its magnificent sights! Whether you want to spend one day island-hopping or stay overnight on a boat to witness the region at sunrise and sunset, a Whitsunday Islands Sailing Tour is the best way to do it.
Sailing tours in the Whitsunday Islands are crafted by locals who know the region inside and out. Tours include water sports, like snorkelling and kayaking, a journey to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a stop at Whitehaven Beach, and plenty of time for relaxation to soak up the rays amongst the pristine nature of the Whitsunday Islands.
