5 Best Walks to Do In Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is home to some of North Queensland’s most beautiful and scenic walks. From a one-hour hike to a three-day trek, hikes in Airlie Beach offer a diverse range of difficulty and length.
With the Whitsunday Islands in view from almost every vantage point and the abundance of unique flora and fauna that inhabit North Queensland, you know you are in for something special when you embark on an Airlie Beach walk. If you only have a day in Airlie Beach, some hikes are short enough that they won’t take up your whole day, but long enough to make it worthwhile. Here are the five best walks to add to your list in Airlie Beach.
5 best walks to do in Airlie Beach
Bicentennial Boardwalk
A scenic, relatively flat walk, the Bicentennial Boardwalk stretches from Airlie Beach lagoon up the coastline to Cannonvale Beach. The Boardwalk is approximately 4km long - a round-trip will generally take an hour and a half to complete. The Bicentennial Boardwalk is suitable for bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers, offering a relatively easy surface for all ages and abilities to enjoy the views of Airlie Beach’s coastline.
Along the walk, you can stop for a morning coffee or drink at one of the many cafes and restaurants adjacent to the water. The Garden Bar Bistro, Sorrento Restaurant and Bar, and Fat Frog Beach Cafe are our favourite spots, each offering uninterrupted views of the water. Once you arrive at Cannonvale Beach, take a dip to cool off after your walk. Cannonvale Beach has a stinger net for safe swimming.
Airlie Creek Track
The Airlie Creek Track is ideal if you're short on time but want to be fully immersed in nature. This track is 1.7km return and will take approximately an hour to complete. Seemingly easy at first, the slightly sloped terrain does get steep as you get further to the top. However, the challenge will be worth it, where panoramic views of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands await.
The hike begins as a Grade 1 difficulty and increases to a Grade 4 difficulty, so choose how far you’d like to hike along the track. Grand fig trees and a diverse range of native wildlife inhabit the trail, so make sure you have your camera ready. During the wet season, you may also see the natural rockpools and waterfalls come to life.
Honeyeater Lookout
One of Airlie Beach’s most well-known bushwalks, the Honeyeater Lookout trail, boasts some of the best views in the region. Located in Conway National Park, the Honeyeater trail is rugged and features some steep sections, with a Grade 4 difficulty. The trail is an 8km return and can take around 3 hours to complete. This hike is not suitable for everyone; a medium to high level of fitness and some experience hiking challenging terrain is required. The Honeyeater Lookout trail does not have facilities along the way, so be prepared and bring plenty of water, snacks, and appropriate shoes.
The view from the Lookout makes the challenge well worth it. Expect to see sweeping views of the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach town, and a beautiful blend of green and blue as the coastline meets the rainforest.
Coral Beach Walk
The Coral Beach walk is a 3.7km return trail located in Conway Conservation Park. The trail is located near Mount Rooper, just a 15-minute drive from Airlie Beach, and features gentle inclines, a moderately challenging walk that can be completed in under an hour. While the track is well-maintained, has signposts throughout, and isn’t considered extremely difficult, some level of fitness and experience is required.
Pass through the rocky Coral Beach and the Beak Lookout point, and witness breathtaking views of the Whitsundays along the way. The Coral Beach walk is through a dense rainforest, which is home to native birds, insects, and giant trees, so keep an eye out for some fascinating sights. Be sure to pack your swimmers, as you can cool off at Coral Beach along the way.
Conway Circuit
The Conway Circuit is a 28km trail for the hard-core trail (and nature) lovers. Embark on a three-day, two-night camping adventure along this trail. Alternatively, the Conway Circuit can be done in approximately 6 hours.
The Conway Circuit starts at Brandy Creek and finishes in Airlie Beach, and encompasses some of Conway National Park’s best trails, including Kingfisher Circuit, Wompoo Walk, and Honeyeater Lookout.
The Conway Circuit is a Grade 4 difficulty route, featuring a series of challenging sections. Expect the first 17.2 km of the trail to have long, narrow, and steep uphill gradients with rough and slippery sections. Eventually, your hard work is rewarded with gentle slopes and wide surfaces to finish off your trek.