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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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 south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min…PPP Whitsunday Coast Airport (About 6.2 mi 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 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi 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 →
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 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 south of town; prebooked shuttle buses and taxis run to Airlie Beach, roughly 40 min, flat fare about A$15 per person (check))
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°C88°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Mar
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
14 rd
Apr
29°C84°F
20°C68°F
10 rd
May
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
8 rd
Jun
25°C77°F
14°C57°F
6 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
13°C55°F
5 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
4 rd
Sep
28°C82°F
16°C61°F
4 rd
Oct
30°C86°F
19°C66°F
6 rd
Nov
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
9 rd
Dec
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
12 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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 & 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 & 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.
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
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
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 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.