Getting Here
Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
Reachable by road, rail, train and air.
BY ROAD
Approximate travel times and distances to Airlie Beach:
From Distance Approx. Time
Brisbane 1,180 km 12.5 hrs
Rockhampton 510 km 5.5 hrs
Mackay 150 km 1.75 hrs
Townsville 280 km 3 hrs
Cairns 630 km 6.5 hrs
PARKING
Coral Sea Marina has car parking from $10/day
SELF-DRIVE OPTIONS
Self-driving is an increasingly popular option for travellers in Australia. Car rentals are available through major car rental chains such as Hertz, Thrifty & Avis.
Campervan rentals are also readily available. We recommend the following:
BY AIR
Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays have 4 carriers servicing the area and have greatly benefited in the last year from increased flights from budget carriers such as Virgin Australia and Jetstar. Direct flights are available from most capital cities in Australia, and if you’re lucky and find a special, they can be as little as $29 each way!
You have a choice of three different airports to fly into the Whitsundays, including Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast, Hamilton Island, and Mackay.
PROSERPINE/WHITSUNDAY COAST AIRPORT
Daily flights are available from most capital cities via Jetstar and Virgin Blue. Please refer to individual carriers’ websites for further schedules and prices. Transfers to Airlie Beach take approximately 40 minutes by bus or taxi.
Transfers to Airlie Beach
Heart Of Reef Shuttles : Operates the latest model small Commuter Buses and connects to both the Virgin and Jetstar flights daily. For the itinerary, please visit
https://www.heartofreefshuttles.com.au/
Whitsunday Transit : Meet all airline arrivals and transfer guests to the bus stop nearest their accommodation. Transfers cost approx. $16.
Taxi: Transfers from the airport to Airlie Beach cost approximately $50. Phone:131 008 (within Australia only).
Hamilton Island Airport
Qantas and Virgin Blue fly directly to Hamilton Island from most capital cities. Transfers to the mainland are via ferry or light plane.
Air Transfers
Island Air Taxis: Offers transfers from Hamilton Island to Airlie Beach. Transfers take approximately 15 minutes and cost around $65. It is a short taxi ride from the airport (approx. $10). Transfers must be pre-booked. Ph: +61 7 4946 9933. See www.heliaust.com.au for prices and reservations.
Ferry Transfers
Cruise Whitsundays : Offers ferry transfers to Airlie Beach. Transfers take between 30 & 60 minutes, depending on the route, and cost around $60. Ph: +61 7 4846 7000 for prices and reservations.
Mackay Airport
Mackay is located about 150 km south of Airlie Beach, so it isn’t as convenient as Hamilton Island or Proserpine, but it does give you more options on flight schedules. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue all have services to Mackay.
BY BUS
There are regular bus runs to Airlie Beach with Greyhound/McCafferty’s and Premier. The bus terminal in Airlie Beach is located on the south end of the main st . See www.mccaffertys.com.au or www.greyhound.com.au for timetables and prices.
BY TRAIN
If you’d like a more scenic means of transportation, we recommend trying our state rail service, Queensland Rail. Sleeper cars are available, in addition to the regular coach class, and can offer a unique way to see the countryside without sacrificing comfort.
Transfers to Airlie Beach:
Whitsunday Transit : Provides return transfers taking approximately 30 minutes. All transfers must be pre-booked: Ph: +61 7 4946 1800.
*All prices are in Australian Dollars and serve as a guide only. Prices are subject to change at any time.