Major city · Australia
Airlie Beach
Stay 3 nights: one full day on a Whitsundays boat, one for the lagoon and a walk, one spare for weather. Fewer and you risk losing the reef day to wind.
Airlie Beach is a small mainland town that exists as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the outer Great Barrier Reef. The town itself is a strip of Shute Harbour Road plus a free man-made lagoon; the reason you come is the water. Book the boat before the bed, because trips sell out and weather cancels them.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct (dry, cooler, steady trade winds)
- avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, stingers, cyclone risk)
- Airports
- PPP · HTI
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Airlie Beach000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Airlie Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetySafe for tourists; the real risks are marine stingers Oct–May, sun and heat, and alcohol on the strip.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPPP Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) (About 40 min by road to Airlie Beach; prebook a shuttle or take a taxi.).
- Getting aroundThe town strip is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- Beerschooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)A$20–25 (≈ US$14–17)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus rideA$3–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$30 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$340 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$190 (≈ US$130) · High A$380 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PPP Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) (About 40 min by road to Airlie Beach; prebook a shuttle or take a taxi.) · HTI Hamilton Island Airport (Ferry or transfer off the island is costly; check the total before booking.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Feb (15 rain days), driest Aug (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Airlie Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town strip is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes. Local buses run between Cannonvale, the town and the airport, but most services must be prebooked. A car only pays off if you plan Cedar Creek Falls or the northern beaches.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: Full day, 8–10 h
Day cruise or sailing trip from Port of Airlie or Shute Harbour
The reason to come. Book ahead; pick a boat that lands at Whitehaven rather than only viewing it.
Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon or reef site
goDoor to door: Full day, 10–12 h
Day boat from Port of Airlie, 2–3 h each way
Longest day of the trip; seasickness tablets before boarding.
Cedar Creek Falls
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car, about 25 min south-west
Needs your own car; the road is unsealed near the end.
Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car, about 30–40 min north
Quiet pubs and a break from the backpacker strip; no bus.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Airlie Beach proper (Shute Harbour Road)
Hostels, pubs, restaurants and the lagoon on foot; noisiest at night.
The Esplanade and Port of Airlie
Quieter, closer to the marina and boardwalk; 10–15 min walk to the main strip.
Cannonvale
About 6 km (3.7 mi) west; supermarkets and cheaper rooms, needs a bus or car.About 3.7 mi (6 km) west; supermarkets and cheaper rooms, needs a bus or car.
Jubilee Pocket and Shute Harbour
Further out, some ferries leave from Shute Harbour; only with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- A$350 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 3 nights × A$190 | A$570 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × A$190 | A$1,140 |
| Airport shuttle from PPP, one way2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Whitsundays day cruise2 × A$250 | A$500 |
| Outer reef day trip2 × A$350 | A$700 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$302 |
| Trip total≈ A$554 per person per day, bed included | A$3,322≈ US$2,500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and reef trips excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub meal (burger, parma, fish and chips) | A$25–35 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Beer: schooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shop | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) / A$20–25 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Supermarket picnic lunch | A$12–20 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Local bus ride | A$3–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Hostel dorm bed, peak season | A$30–60 (≈ US$20–40) |
| Whitsundays day cruise | A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not swim off the beaches Oct–May: marine stingers. Use the lagoon or a stinger suit.
- Cyclone season runs roughly Nov–Apr; check forecasts and insurance cover before booking a boat.
- Boat trips cancel for wind and swell: keep a spare day and read the cancellation terms.
- Book reef and Whitehaven trips ahead in Jun–Oct; the good ones fill days out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Airlie BeachAirlie Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in Airlie Beach; the US consulate-general is in Sydney and most others are in Canberra or Sydney. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PPP airport → Airlie Beach, shuttle: about A$25 (≈ US$17), about 40 min
- PPP airport → Airlie Beach, taxi: about A$90–110 (≈ US$60–75)
- Local bus, single ride: A$3–5 (≈ US$2–4)
Say or show
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Is it safe to swim here? — Is it safe to swim here?
- Do I need a stinger suit? — Do I need a stinger suit?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- What time do we check in for the boat? — What time do we check in for the boat?
Australia: 000 for police, fire or ambulance; 112 works from mobiles.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Airlie Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Oct (dry, cooler, steady trade winds) · avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, stingers, cyclone risk) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PPP: prebooked shuttle versus taxi, last arrival times, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Shute Harbour Road, the lagoon and Port of Airlie, Cannonvale.
- Boat pages with verified departure points, check-in times and cancellation rules.
- Wet-season and cyclone fixtures so gates A–D can go green.