
You are here: Guides > Oceania > Australia > Mackay > Reports

Airlie Beach: Backpackers Heaven

13 votes

So after a long drive on our route from Brisbane to Cairns we stopped for a few days in Airlie beach. A little township that became popular with backpackers and alike. Airlie Beach is a good 3 hours drive north of Mackay in the middle of the Whitesundays. Just before you hit Prosperpine you take a right turn towards Shute Harbour and follow the road till it stops, or you run over some partying backpackers... The place is popular with backpackers, but it is also one of the best places to start your divetrips from. It has beautifull reefs to go and explore with your divingbuddy, or you could go with the group and instructor to see the more special things. For us young folks (ahum..., this should not include me anymore) there is lots of fun, partying and adventures to do like all kinds of (mainly water)sports. If there is one place on the East Coast I would visit again it would be Airlie.

Favourite spots:

My most favourite spot would be anywhere out on the Great Barrier Reef. Other favourites should not be too hard to find yourselves. Airlie Beach is small.

What's really great:

I guess I do not need to mention diving again? After being in the water two times in one day, both with full scuba gear, I talked to the local video/photo girl who joined us on our dives. We were Kind of interested in getting the original DV tape from her, so I could edit it for my Honeymoon movie... and it didn't even cost as much as a new tape. These people still knew how to be hospitable and friendly. That's something that really showed.

Accommodations:

We stayed at Sunlit Waters for a couple of days. We had to climb a small hill to get here, but it was just some few hundred meters from the centre.

This is us having breakfast in front of our appartment and looking out on the Whitesundays.

Other recommendations:

I do not have to mention diving at the Reef again I guess...

Published on Monday August 12th, 2002 by morc66