Tracey’s guidebook
Food scene
Paradiso Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
287 Shute Harbour RdOne of Australia's largest coffee plantations with coffee shop, licensed restaurant, farm area with piglets, goats etc and an air-conditioned kids indoor play area (approx $10 per child) which includes tea cup ride, ball pit, jumping castle, slides etc. Located just 1 minute north of Proserpine, opposite the Airlie Beach/Shute Harbour Road turn-off on the Bruce Highway.
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Whitsunday Gold Coffee
12505 Bruce HwyOne of Australia's largest coffee plantations with coffee shop, licensed restaurant, farm area with piglets, goats etc and an air-conditioned kids indoor play area (approx $10 per child) which includes tea cup ride, ball pit, jumping castle, slides etc. Located just 1 minute north of Proserpine, opposite the Airlie Beach/Shute Harbour Road turn-off on the Bruce Highway.
One of our personal favourites, this is a hidden gem and definitely worth a visit. An amazing spot for lunch and drinks. It’s right on the water with stunning views and live music at weekends. There’s a large outdoor area with plenty of room for the kids to run around and games to keep them entertained. Only a 15 minute drive or jump on the free shuttle bus from the centre of town.
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Northerlies Beach Bar &Grill - Airlie Beach
Lot 116 Pringle RoadOne of our personal favourites, this is a hidden gem and definitely worth a visit. An amazing spot for lunch and drinks. It’s right on the water with stunning views and live music at weekends. There’s a large outdoor area with plenty of room for the kids to run around and games to keep them entertained. Only a 15 minute drive or jump on the free shuttle bus from the centre of town.
My Rainbow Bakery, Cafe, Catering
115 Shingley DrLa Marina Italian Restaurant & Bar
33 Port DrSorrento Restaurant & Bar
22 Shingley DrSightseeing & activities
• FREE ENTRY
• Sheltered toddler’s wading pool
• Shallow 1.5m maximum depth children’s pool
• Larger pool which has maximum depth of 2m
• Separate swimming lanes for fitness enthusiasts
• Excellent view out to the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands
• Barbecues, picnic areas & play equipment
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Airlie Beach Lagune
Shute Harbourr Rd• FREE ENTRY
• Sheltered toddler’s wading pool
• Shallow 1.5m maximum depth children’s pool
• Larger pool which has maximum depth of 2m
• Separate swimming lanes for fitness enthusiasts
• Excellent view out to the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands
• Barbecues, picnic areas & play equipment
Red Cat Adventures
350 Shute Harbour RdFREE ENTRY
Opening hours: 8am–6pm during winter (March-August); and 8am–7pm during summer (September–February). Closed Tuesday mornings from 8am-12pm for regular maintenance.
A "zero depth" play area - great fun for the kids. Plus kids and adult swimming pools.
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Wasserpark Proserpine
55 Anzac RdFREE ENTRY
Opening hours: 8am–6pm during winter (March-August); and 8am–7pm during summer (September–February). Closed Tuesday mornings from 8am-12pm for regular maintenance.
A "zero depth" play area - great fun for the kids. Plus kids and adult swimming pools.
The markets operate every Saturday and on any days when there are cruise ships visiting. Complete with local produce, art, craft and locally made souvenirs, it is a great place to spend some time, have a coffee or purchase a unique gift. Kids of all ages will love the nearby playground which has a 10.5m high skywalk, three gigantic slides, pirate ship etc.
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Whitsunday Saturday Markets
10-20 Airlie EsplanadeThe markets operate every Saturday and on any days when there are cruise ships visiting. Complete with local produce, art, craft and locally made souvenirs, it is a great place to spend some time, have a coffee or purchase a unique gift. Kids of all ages will love the nearby playground which has a 10.5m high skywalk, three gigantic slides, pirate ship etc.
Cape Gloucester is an idyllic spot with a quiet picturesque beach and is a great place for a relaxing escape, well worth the drive. Also stop in at beautiful Dingo Beach along the way. Lunch options are Cape Gloucester Resort; Montes Reef Resort or Dingo Beach Hotel. If you’re planning to go for lunch at the Resorts we would suggest you call in advance to book to ensure they’re open and have availability, as they’re sometimes booked out for private functions.
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Cape Gloucester
Cape Gloucester is an idyllic spot with a quiet picturesque beach and is a great place for a relaxing escape, well worth the drive. Also stop in at beautiful Dingo Beach along the way. Lunch options are Cape Gloucester Resort; Montes Reef Resort or Dingo Beach Hotel. If you’re planning to go for lunch at the Resorts we would suggest you call in advance to book to ensure they’re open and have availability, as they’re sometimes booked out for private functions.
An 850m track which slowly winds up the hill behind Airlie Beach along a gravel path. The track winds through tranquil forest which is home to magnificent fig trees, sub-tropical plants, beautiful native birds and ends up at scenic natural rock pools. The walk back offers views of the beautiful blue Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. Allow one hour and take plenty of water.
Airlie Creek Track
Waterson WayAn 850m track which slowly winds up the hill behind Airlie Beach along a gravel path. The track winds through tranquil forest which is home to magnificent fig trees, sub-tropical plants, beautiful native birds and ends up at scenic natural rock pools. The walk back offers views of the beautiful blue Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. Allow one hour and take plenty of water.
A guided tour and a one of a kind, unique and personal experience. It’s not a zoo or a park it’s the Bredl Family’s private property located approx one hour from Airlie. You get to hold baby crocodiles, snakes, lizards, koalas, baby possum, wallabies and more. They will take you to the big crocs where they hand feed them only metres from where you are standing. You can drive to the Farm yourself or go on an organised tour, but it’s essential to book in advance as they only take limited numbers.
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Bredl's Wild Farm
523 Lindeman DrA guided tour and a one of a kind, unique and personal experience. It’s not a zoo or a park it’s the Bredl Family’s private property located approx one hour from Airlie. You get to hold baby crocodiles, snakes, lizards, koalas, baby possum, wallabies and more. They will take you to the big crocs where they hand feed them only metres from where you are standing. You can drive to the Farm yourself or go on an organised tour, but it’s essential to book in advance as they only take limited numbers.
***Please note: the Falls are only running when there’s been some recent heavy rainfall!***
A picturesque cascading waterfall - beneath it is a perfect spot for a dip in the clear waters. Located approx 30kms from Airlie Beach. The drive is in itself an experience with the cane fields bordering the roads and beautiful landscape for as far as the eye can see. Make sure you take a towel, sunscreen and insect repellent. Jumping and diving from the waterfall is strictly prohibited.
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Cedar Creek Wasserfälle
***Please note: the Falls are only running when there’s been some recent heavy rainfall!***
A picturesque cascading waterfall - beneath it is a perfect spot for a dip in the clear waters. Located approx 30kms from Airlie Beach. The drive is in itself an experience with the cane fields bordering the roads and beautiful landscape for as far as the eye can see. Make sure you take a towel, sunscreen and insect repellent. Jumping and diving from the waterfall is strictly prohibited.
Situated on the peninsula near the Port of Airlie (access via Coconut Grove/The Beacons) and boasts 60,000 cubic metres of soft, white sand. The area's first true all-tide beach, Boathaven Beach is a lovely spot for swimming, sunbathing and lapping up the views of the ocean and islands, including a stinger net for the summer months.
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Boathaven Beach
The BeaconsSituated on the peninsula near the Port of Airlie (access via Coconut Grove/The Beacons) and boasts 60,000 cubic metres of soft, white sand. The area's first true all-tide beach, Boathaven Beach is a lovely spot for swimming, sunbathing and lapping up the views of the ocean and islands, including a stinger net for the summer months.
Shopping
Woolworths supermarket is located just behind McDonald’s in the Airlie Beach main street. It is open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturdays and 9am to 6pm Sundays (subject to change – check their website). The store has a car park (accessible from Waterson Way) which gives 1.5 hours free parking.
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Woolworths Airlie Beach Central
Waterson WayWoolworths supermarket is located just behind McDonald’s in the Airlie Beach main street. It is open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturdays and 9am to 6pm Sundays (subject to change – check their website). The store has a car park (accessible from Waterson Way) which gives 1.5 hours free parking.
Getting around
13 Cabs
283 Shute Harbour RoadTaxi – 13 CABS: 13 22 27
(FYI – there is no Uber in Airlie Beach)
Heart of Reef Shuttles do door to door transfers to/from the Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) airport.
If booking online, select “Airlie Beach” as your pick up address and then enter the apartment address in the comments box.
Heart of Reef Shuttles
48-50 Amarula PlHeart of Reef Shuttles do door to door transfers to/from the Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) airport.
If booking online, select “Airlie Beach” as your pick up address and then enter the apartment address in the comments box.