Plenty of visitors to Airlie Beach arrive by air or bus and have no desire to hire a car. The cost, inconvenience of parking or simply preferring to walk and use public transport are all good reasons to skip the hire car queue and see the sites without the hassle of getting your own four wheels. The beauty of Airlie and the Whitsunday region is that it’s easy to get around and experience the many highlights car-free.
1. Swim at Airlie Beach Lagoon
You’re in the tropics, the sun is out and you’re in the mood for a swim. It’s hard to fight the desire to take a dip when you’re in a place like Airlie and thankfully, you don’t have to get behind the wheel to find the perfect location for one, because in the heart of town is the Airlie Beach Lagoon.
Freely available to everyone and over 4,000 square meters in size, this oceanfront, chlorinated pool is surrounded by grassy spots to sunbake, playgrounds for the kids and barbecues. There are no stingers or other marine life and lifeguards on patrol for most of the year, so it’s a safe place for a swim. For toddlers there’s a wading pool and for older kids the shallow (1.5m maximum depth) children’s pool is ideal. The adults can relax in the larger pool with its maximum depth of 2 metres and separate swimming lanes for doing laps. Also, being built on a raised breakwater, there are great views of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.
2. Hike up to Honeyeater Lookout
There’s something to be said about the satisfying feeling of hiking up a hill to a vantage point. That sense of accomplishment is what draws people to take on all sorts of challenges. In this instance, it’s not exactly Everest we were climbing, but it is a decent uphill hike. The return journey from the trailhead at the end of Kara Crescent is around 8km. Taking into account the 20minutes or so walk from the centre of town and you’re looking at about a 3-hour return journey.
The Honeyeater Lookout hike is quite steep, particularly early on, but assuming you’ve got a decent pair of walking shoes, some water and snacks, the walk overall isn’t too hard. The rewards at the end are expansive views over Cannonvale, Airlie Beach and the Coral Sea Marina. It’s well worth the effort, and if you set out early in the morning, you’ll be back just in time for some lunch and swim at the lagoon.
3. Walk (or cycle) the Bicentennial Walkway
The Bicentennial Walkway is a scenic 4km (One way) walk that links Airlie Beach Lagoon with Cannonvale Beach. It was constructed in 1988 to commemorate Australia’s Bicentenary, with recent upgrades making it more accessible and modern. The walkway is completely flat and wide enough for prams and wheelchairs to easily navigate with two-way traffic.
Staring at Airlie Beach Lagoon and foreshore, you head west along the wooden boardwalk, passing beachfront bars with Hayman and Hook Islands in the distance. The trail then goes by the Coral Sea Marina before heading along Turtle Boardwalk and Shingley Beach. The last stretch hugs the coastline past secluded residential bays before finishing at Cannonvale Beach.
4. Take a Day Trip and Explore the Whitsundays Islands
There’s one thing that every visitor to Airlie has to do, car or no car, and that’s to spend a day exploring the Whitsunday Islands. Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Whitsundays and its 74 islands is world-renowned for its pristine turquoise waters, rich coral reefs and marine life, and some of the best beaches on the planet. Few places on earth are as scenic as the Whitsundays and when you see them from the deck of a yacht, catamaran or cruiser, you’ll see why it’s a destination on just about everyone’s ‘must do’ list.
5. Check Out the Local Markets
The Whitsunday Airlie Beach Markets are a local icon. There are few better ways to start your weekend than by strolling between the stalls, coffee in hand, checking out the fresh produce, baked goods, jewellery, clothes, craft, homewares and even fishing gear. The atmosphere is vibrant, family friendly and community spirited, with live music and activities for kids. Located on the foreshore of the Airlie Esplanade, they’re easy to find and operate from 7am to 1pm Saturdays. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, a new outfit or just want some delicious breakfast, make sure you don’t miss the Whitsunday Airlie Beach Markets.
6. Relax At Airlie Beach
One of the main reasons people come to the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach is for relaxation. Yeah, there’s the reef, island exploring, hikes and great dining, but one thing that’s on most travellers’ agendas is some time to chillout. Holidays aren’t just about keeping busy, seeing the sites. You have to allocate a bit of time to absorb the atmosphere and wind down. The great thing about Airlie is that you don’t need a car to get you to great spots to sit and read a book, or to lie on a beach towel and catch some rays. There are parks, beaches and bays where you can escape the crowds and relax in peace. You could also have a lazy morning sitting beneath a palm tree sipping coffee, followed by a massage, afternoon nap and quiet cocktail watching the sunset.