Airlie Beach is known as “the gateway to theWhitsundays” and with good reason – it is the perfectlaunchpad to begin your reef explorations. There are also a lot of local attractions to explore too, so linger a little bit longer in ‘Airlie’ and you’re sure to have a relaxing time.
Inland Treasure
Instead of heading out off the coast, head inland instead – a cool thirty-kilometre cruise from Airlie Beach, and halfway to Proserpine is the spectacularly beautiful Cedar Creek Falls. A combination of breathtaking natural scenery, including a natural stone amphitheatre with cascading falls and abundant local wildlife will make you think you’ve stumbled on paradise itself. There are all sorts of walks through the bush, including to the top of the falls which is well worth the climb if you’re feeling adventurous. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, the waters in the rock pools are cool all year round, and are perfect for a relaxing swim. There are orchids, butterflies and more to admire here, and you might never want to leave – but more adventures await.
Discover Hideaway Bay
There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches at Airlie, but one of the favourites of locals is a little harder to get to – rightly called Hideaway Bay, it’s about twenty minutes out of town, so hop in your Hertz hire car and make sure you pack the sunscreen, because once you get there you will want to stay a while. There are BBQs on the beach, so pack yourself some snags and enjoy some outdoor dining with a spectacular view. This beach is far less crowded than the more popular options, so you can really appreciate the peace and quiet of this serene part of the world here.
Crocodile Adventures
Another inland adventure not to be missed is the Whitsunday Crocodile Safari – head out into the Goorganga wetlands with your expert guide and meet some of Australia’s most iconic creatures. The boats are small and the crocs are large so expect some adrenaline on this exciting adventure. Your intrepid hosts will tell you all about these fascinating prehistoric creatures as you get a really good look at them and their unique habitat. They offer a cracker of an Australian barbeque for lunch too, so you will be well taken care of.
Take to the Skies
Of course, there are plenty of boat charters to choose from when it comes to seeing the Reef, but you should consider an even more spectacular way of taking in the view – from the air. Air Whitsunday Seaplanes give you the best of both worlds, offering you an overhead view of the seventy-four beautiful islands of the Whitsundays. Their Panorama tour is a half-day well spent where you can enjoy a scenic flight and then spend some time on a semi-submersible in Hardy Lagoon. You can snorkel and swim, and there’s also an underwater viewing chamber as well. There’s the opportunity to swim with rays and turtles at the pristine Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most spectacular white-sand beaches. Sure to be a day you won’t soon forget.
