The tropical paradise on earth
If you look at Australia's map, Airlie Beach is still relatively far north on the east coast. This means that the climate is pretty much the same as Cairns and Townsville. The most pleasant time to visit is from April to November. During this time, the temperatures are pleasant between 20-30 degrees and there is no rainy season. It's also not jellyfish season, so you don't usually need to worry about swimming. Another advantage of the Australian winter is that it is whale season from June to September. This means that if you're lucky, you'll be able to watch the whales calmly pass by from the beach and sometimes even jump high into the air. An absolutely incredible spectacle.
[products_2]
Airlie Beach has a lot to offer
Let's say you arrive in Airlie Beach around midday after a long drive, like my family and I did. You're probably also a little exhausted from the drive... The lagoon on the promenade is perfect for cooling off. It's best to combine this with a walk through the town along the main street. There are lots of cafés, restaurants, pubs and small stores to browse through. At sunset, the atmosphere on the beach and the promenade is really beautiful. Perfect for winding down at the end of the day, reflecting on what a great place you are in or simply leafing through a book.
And you'll have seen so much so quickly, even on the day you arrive. If you still have enough energy in the evening, you are sure to find like-minded people to celebrate and toast :).
Another attraction in Airlie Beach is Conway National Park. Unfortunately I didn't make it there myself, but I've only heard and read good things about it. Here you have lots of hiking options for all fitness levels and you can really experience the tropics. The Honeyeater Lookout is also said to offer fantastic views over Airlie Beach and the coast.
Yes, that all sounds really fantastic, doesn't it? But I'm only now getting to the real highlight, which is..
[products_3]
What you have to do in Airlie Beach
Well, maybe you already have a guess?
That's right, a tour to the Whitsunday Islands. Almost everyone I met on my trip associated Airlie Beach with the Whitsundays. And not without reason. Because the Whitsunday Islands offer nature and views that you can only dream of.
Who would have thought it, but I booked our day tour to the islands again via Get Your Guide with Magic Whitsundays. The day tour cost €113 per person.
We were picked up in the morning from our vacation apartment by shuttle and taken directly to the harbor. There was a short briefing and welcome and then we went straight onto the yellow speedboat. Our tour guide, unfortunately I've forgotten his name, was a young, funny Aussie who kept explaining things about the coast to us during the trip.
We were supposed to stop for snorkeling on the way to the islands, but unfortunately the conditions here were not ideal. So we drove straight to the famous Whitehaven Beach. Part of Pirates of the Caribbean was actually filmed here many years ago. Fun fact: the whole beach was closed for 6 weeks during this time and in the end 6 seconds of footage was used. 6 weeks for 6 seconds... just Hollywood.
Anyway, we arrived at the beach and had quite a while to swim, relax and explore. The beach really does look like something out of a travel brochure. Snow-white, fine sand - turquoise blue water - simply perfect. After a while, we were called back for lunch. While we enjoyed the beach, the tour guides set up an amazing buffet on the beach. With everything your heart desires.
After our refreshments, we got back on the boat. Keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and turtles during the trip. There is a very good chance that you will see some. The next stop was on the other side of the island, the famous Hill Inlet Lookout. From the bay, a beautiful hiking trail leads through the bush and winds a few meters up the small hill. During the walk you can spot lots of lizards and goannas. When you reach the top of the lookout, your breath will stop. The view is better and more spectacular than you could ever imagine. It almost looks fake. From the viewpoint, a bright blue bay with lots of small islands and sandbanks stretches out in front of you. Behind it is a larger island with a lush green tropical rainforest. I could hardly believe it. I've seen so many photos from friends and acquaintances on Instagram, but this was really better than expected. From the lookout, you can follow a wooden walkway that gives you even more views. The nature is just amazing.
On the way back, we went to a snorkeling spot that is also part of the Great Barrier Reef. This was the perfect place to end the day with a few colorful corals and fish. We arrived back at the port in the afternoon. What an eventful day. Thank you for letting us experience it!
[products_1]
Thank you Airlie Beach
Yes, I hope you can tell how excited I am writing this. The Whitsunday Islands really were a special experience.
In addition to the 1-day tour, there are also others that are offered with 1-3 nights on a catamaran. If I were to do Airlie Beach again with my friends, I would probably consider such a tour. But it was just perfect for our schedule and I can really recommend this tour to anyone. I hope you have as great an experience as we did. Have fun!
Cheers,
Jesko
