Airlie Beach: Exploring the Whitsunday Islands
As my Australia trip was approaching, I messaged my friends here to get recommendations on whether or not to go to the Great Barrier Reef. I also posted in my favorite Facebook group: Girls Love Travel. The consensus was yes, definitely go. I knew deep down that would be the answer but I needed a final nudge to book flights and accommodation because it is a pricey journey when booked last minute.
I’m currently writing this post on a beautiful back patio overlooking the Port of Airlie to my left with hillsides covered in tropical vegetation all around. There are gently chirping birds and then terribly annoying cockatoos. I hear, see and feel the gentle ocean breeze. I wish I had a guidebook to tell me about all the trees and bushes I see but I am content simply knowing they are beautiful.
There is also a bottle of Australian beer open next to me so that helps it all, too.
Where Is Airlie Beach?
It’s time for a quick Australia lesson so that you can orient yourself in my story.
As I’ve previously written, Australia is large. It is about the same size as the continental United States. I have been staying in Melbourne in the state of Victoria with Alaina since I arrived. I’m currently in Airlie Beach in the state of Queensland. Melbourne and Airlie Beach are over 1500 miles apart. It takes 27 hours to drive between them. My drive for Orlando, Florida, to Plymouth, Michigan, at the end of my Disney College Program was just 1160 miles. It only took 18 hours though compared to the 27 of Melbourne to Airlie Beach and I reckon that is due to the fact that Australia is only populated along the coasts where America is quite populated all over.
A direct flight is a little over three hours. I didn’t fly direct so the first leg was two hours and the next was about one and a half. I flew into Proserpine Airport but you can also fly into Hamilton Island. Proserpine is tiny. I don’t imagine they can have more than a single plane there at one time. Everyone disembarks on the tarmac and the flight crew also acts as the airport welcome crew meetings passengers at the doors.
So, I’m in the middle of the Queensland coast. Today, I dipped my feet into the Coral Sea. It only hit 74 degrees today but the sun here truly is very warm. If not for the steady breeze at the beach, I would’ve been sweaty and uncomfortable. I was only slightly uncomfortable because that wind really blew the sand around when a big gust came but it was still incredibly pleasant.
What Is Special About Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach is known as “the Heart of the Reef.” It is a resort town that serves as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. It has two marinas and tours depart daily to other nearby beaches and the reef.
Also, fun fact but a sad fact. Airlie Beach was hit by a category four cyclone, Debbie, at the end of March. As I’ve walked around town I’ve seen closed business with signs talking about storm damage. Airlie Beach took a near direct hit and many places are still recovering.
What are the Whitsunday Islands?
The Whitsunday Islands are a grouping of 74 islands off the central Queensland coast. While on my bus from Proserpine Airport to the Airbnb, I learned that the Whitsundays were named by Captain Cook in reference to the Christian holiday called Whitsun (or Pentecost to those in America). However, since there was no international date line, he arrived on Whit Monday and not Whitsunday but I think Whitsunday sounds better anyway.
Whitsundays and the Famous
I really learned a lot the Islands on my hour trip to my Airbnb. It turns out that a lot of movies have been in filmed in the Whitsundays and many celebrities visit on holiday.
One of the most famous of the Whitsunday Islands is called Hamilton Island. It is home to Whitehaven Beach, one of the top beaches in the world. I’ve done my research and the sand seems to be quite similar to Siesta Key. Johnny Depp and crew filmed portions of their latest film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales right on Whitehaven Beach!
In 2014, Airlie Beach was used to film a small portion of the Angelina Jolie’s film, Unbroken. While I haven’t seen Unbroken, I have read the book it is based on and I am keen to see the film now that I’ve been to a filming location. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt spent two days in Airlie Beach. Apparently, Jolie rented the entire Peppers Airlie Beach resort, which has over 100 rooms.
The most exciting of the celebrity connections to the Whitsunday Islands is Taylor Swift! In 2015, during the Australian leg of the 1989 World Tour, Taylor and her crew spent time on Hamilton Island to explore and recharge. She even hosted a Nova Red Room for just 100 lucky fans while there.
My First 24 Hours in Airlie Beach
Since I am thoroughly enjoying the food scene in Melbourne, I wanted to see what Airlie Beach had to offer me. I didn’t get settled into my Airbnb until about 5:30pm but I still wanted to explore, even though I had been awake since 6am.
My Airbnb is quite centrally located. It is up a hill, which is small but deadly. Within seven minutes, I am at the heart of Airlie Beach. In many ways it reminds me of Siesta Key Village. It has small touristy souvenir shops, some travel agencies wanting to book tours and then plenty of bars and restaurants.
As I was finally at the Australian coast, I wanted seafood. I only like shrimp of fish and chips so I went with fish and chips. Yum. I dined at Fish D’vine, which is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Airlie Beach. The fish and chips was a massive portion. Two large pieces of fish in a light yet crispy batter. Chips better than most that can be found in America and a nice, light rocket salad. Rocket = arugula and American needs to use it more. I fell in love with arugula when studying abroad in London and Australia is reminding me how delicious it is. I also had a glass of Australian Shiraz with my fish and chips because alcohol prices here in Airlie Beach are much better than Melbourne.
From dinner, I walked home. Took a shower and watched Netflix for a few hours. I was awoken around 4am from the previously mentioned loud and annoying cockatoos.
Breakfast was at a place called Cafe One 3. It was just about a seven minute walk from my Airbnb and is rated as the best breakfast in Airlie Beach. It was so cute and quaint and definitely delicious. The interior was homey and stuffed with soaps, dish towels and an array of souvenirs. There was just one small table inside with two chairs. The highlight was the outdoor seating. There were large tables for up to six people and then smaller ones where I sat. I had the Canadian Pancakes, which was a large crepe style pancake stuffed with fresh banana slices, coconut on top along with fresh maple syrup. The Canadian version came with two delicious slices of bacon. I obviously devoured it. I also had a flat white to drink. I like the prices here in Airlie Beach.
From breakfast, I went back to my Airbnb to charge my phone and relax. I opted to go to Boathaven Beach, which is a near manmade beach here in Airlie. It was only a mile walk from my Airbnb so I stopped to buy a hat and beach towel on the way. I’m an idiot and I forgot my prescription sunglasses in Melbourne so I decided a cute ball cap that says Airlie Beach would be a good investment. The beach was nice and nearly deserted. I was one of the only ten people there. The water was a bit nippy so I only put my toes in. I never got hot enough to fully submerge myself.
After the beach, I stopped by the Airlie Beach Lagoon. It is a beautiful chlorinated pool at the heart of Airlie Beach. At first, I was confused why a pool would be the main attraction at a beach but it is because jellyfish are really, really prominent here. I dipped my feet into the water and it was a very comfortable and warm temperature. Children ran around and dunked each other while plenty of people laid around and sunbathed. Turns out that Airlie Beach Lagoon only opened back up two weeks ago after setbacks and damage from Cyclone Debbie.
What Do You Want to Know?
Did any questions pop into your mind as you read? If so, I am here to provide answers as best as I can!
All products and businesses mentioned are linked in the text because if I’ve a good experience, I’d like you to have it as well. And no, I am not getting paid for any of this.
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