Major city · Australia
Proserpine
Use Proserpine as a transport stop, not a base: one night if you land late at PPP, otherwise drive straight to Airlie Beach, 25 min east.
Proserpine is a sugar town of about 3,600 people on the Bruce Highway, and the road, rail and air gateway to the Whitsundays. Most travellers pass through: the airport sits 10 km south, buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, and the town itself fills an afternoon with a mill, a water tower mural, Art Deco shopfronts and a small museum. Stay one night only if your flight lands late or you want a cheaper bed than the coast.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, lower humidity)
- avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, cyclone risk, heavy rain)
- Airport
- PPP
- Nights
- 1
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 Proserpine000 ▾
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 Proserpine, 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
- SafetyProserpine is a small, quiet town and feels safe day and night.
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 · 131 444 police non-emergency (police link)
- 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 (About 10 km (6.2 mi) south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min…PPP Whitsunday Coast Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min…
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerschooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shopA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheckA$15–20 (≈ US$10–14)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$15–35 (≈ US$10–25)
- Budget bedHostel or caravan-park cabin bed, a night, per personA$40 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
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 (About 10 km (6.2 mi) south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min, flat fare about A$15 per person (check))PPP Whitsunday Coast Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min, flat fare about A$15 per person (check))
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Dec (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Feb (15 rain days), driest Aug (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Proserpine: 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)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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 centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. No local public bus network for visitors: use a taxi, a prebooked airport shuttle, or your own car. The Bruce Highway runs through town and the airport turn-off is 10 km south.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Airlie Beach
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive or shuttle east on Shute Harbour Road
The reason most people fly into PPP: lagoon, marina and Whitsunday sailing departures.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h to the first beach
Shuttle to Airlie Beach, then a day cruise or ferry from Port of Airlie or Shute Harbour
Book the cruise before you book the flight; day trips fill in the dry season.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min by car
Bruce Highway south by car, or the Tilt Train
Nothing here you cannot do from Proserpine; keep going if you are heading south.
Eungella National Park
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bruce Highway south then west via Mirani
Platypus viewing at Broken River is best at dawn; too far for a relaxed return day.
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.
Main Street and town centre
Motels within walking distance of shops and cafés; best for one night without a car.
Bruce Highway strip
Motels and the caravan park on the highway edge; easiest if you are driving through.
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$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Airport shuttle to Airlie Beach, one way2 × A$15 · check | A$30 |
| Taxi airport to Proserpine town2 × A$15 · check | A$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$57 |
| Trip total≈ A$314 per person per day, bed included | A$627≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and Whitsunday cruises excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Counter meal (pub or café) | A$20–32 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer: schooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shop | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) / A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16) |
| Airport shuttle to Airlie Beach, one waycheck | About A$15 (≈ US$10) |
| 5 km taxicheck | A$15–20 (≈ US$10–14) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$15–35 (≈ US$10–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Wet season runs roughly November to April: cyclones and road flooding can close the Bruce Highway. Check Queensland Traffic before driving.
- Airport shuttles usually need prebooking; walk-up seats can sell out on late flights.
- Crocodiles live in local creeks and the Proserpine River: do not swim in rivers or creeks.
- Distances are long: Mackay is about 1 h 30 min south, Townsville about 4 h north.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Police non-emergency (Police Link)
- 131 444
Pocket card
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ProserpineProserpine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Can you drop me at this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Police non-emergency131 444
Embassy
No embassies in Proserpine; consulates are in Brisbane and Cairns (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PPP airport → Airlie Beach, shuttle: about A$15 (≈ US$10) per person, 40 min, prebook (check)
- PPP airport → Proserpine town, taxi: about A$15 (≈ US$10) per person, 10–15 min (check)
- Proserpine → Mackay, Tilt Train: about A$30–50 (≈ US$20–35), 1 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
Emergency numbers 911 and 999 do not work in Australia.
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 Proserpine. 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: May–Oct (dry season, lower humidity) · avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, cyclone risk, heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 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: last shuttle and taxi cutoffs, prebooking rule, late-arrival fallback in town.
- Walking cluster for the town centre: mill chimneys, water tower mural, Art Deco facades, historical museum.
- Place pages with verified hours for the historical museum and Peter Faust Dam, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-season and highway-closure fixtures so the drive-through decision can go green.