5 Ways to Unwind in Airlie Beach

With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life and breathtaking beaches, the allure of the Whitsundays in tropical North Queensland is no secret – but you can still carve out your own slice of paradise. Airlie Beach, considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is a great place to base yourself as you explore the region, thanks to its boutique stays and bustling dining scene. Here’s our pick of the best things to do during your visit.  

Stay in a luxury resort

Idyllic Coral Sea Resort lies right on the waterfront of Airlie Beach and offers deck chairs right on the sand. After waking up to a complimentary continental breakfast, indulge in a Lava Shell treatment at the resort’s Drift Boutique Spa or relax poolside in a private cabana, complete with food and beverage service, fresh beach towels and room for six to 12 of your closest friends. Wind down in your freshly renovated Coral Sea Suite with a soak in the balcony spa bath as the day fades to night over the water.

Or settle in to a home away from home

 With sweeping views, a temperature-controlled pool and spa, a gym and barbecue area all on offer at The Sebel Whitsundays, you may be tempted to stay put for the duration of your visit. If you do venture beyond the comfort of your ocean-view penthouse, Port of Airlie marina is mere steps away, where you can hop aboard a boat tour through the archipelago. The infinity pools at Water’s Edge Resort provides another spectacular vista, with the azure water and national park mountains on full display. Elegantly refurbished in March, the property is just 100 metres from the town centre but is perched on a hilltop and framed by tropical greenery so it feels like your own idyllic sanctuary. Each apartment offers a full kitchen, laundry facilities, weekly cleaning services and a balcony so you can live like a local during your stay.

Dine on fresh local seafood

The new Coral Sea Pavilion restaurant on the northernmost tip of Airlie Beach is the hottest ticket in town. Barbecued reef fish and Whitsunday bugs paired with a glass of Margaret River chardonnay makes for the ideal finish to a day spent hitting the waves. Or spoil yourself with dinner at Eastwoods, one of the newest additions to the bustling Airlie Esplanade, which serves South East Asian-inspired dishes such as Coral Coast barramundi with pineapple-chilli caramel and salt and pepper crab. 

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

For spectacular bird’s-eye views of the archipelago, Helireef offers helicopter flights from Coral Sea Marina in downtown Airlie Beach to the powdered-sugar sand and aquamarine waters of Whitehaven Beach. Romantics and adventurers alike will want to elevate their holiday with a luxurious heli-tour over Heart Reef – a coral configuration that looks just like its namesake – landing at Reefworld, a pontoon moored in the magnificent turquoise waters of Hardy Reef. Slip into the water and get up-close with colourful marine life while snorkelling, or, keep your feet dry and observe the ocean’s inhabitants from the underwater viewing platform’s full-length windows. 

Spending a few days exploring the Great Barrier Reef is enticing, but you can make the magic last even longer with Reefsleep. This one-of-a-kind experience begins with a scenic cruise from Airlie Beach to Reefworld, where you’ll spend the afternoon scuba diving or cruising the water on a guided semi-sub tour. Once all the daytrippers have left, dinner is served on the deck as the last embers of sunlight dip below the horizon. Come bedtime, get cosy inside your glamping-style tent on the deck and gaze up at the blanket of stars stretching across the sky as you drift into a peaceful slumber. Reefsleep has Advanced Eco Certification, so it’s committed to ensuring the reef is not harmed by tourism. It uses a desalination unit for fresh water and contributes to an ongoing initiative to remove harmful marine debris. 

Seek out secluded beaches

Considered one of the Whitsundays’ under-the-radar gems – the coastal town of Bowen is only a 45-minute drive north of Airlie Beach. You’ll find eight secluded palm-fringed inlets, all blissfully free of crowds. Hire snorkelling gear from Horseshoe Bay Resort then wander 100 metres down the road to Horseshoe Bay Beach to spot giant clams and Bywa, a man-made intertidal sculpture.

SEE ALSO: 6 Ways to Experience the Whitsundays in Luxury