Getting Around The Whitsundays
WHITSUNDAY VACATIONS

Getting Around The Whitsundays

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Below is a list of ways to make it easy for you to travel around and explore the Whitsundays.

Walking

If you are staying in Airlie Beach, you can just about walk everywhere. The main street of Airlie Beach is only around 700m long, which is where most shops, bars and restaurants are located. Below are two maps of the Airlie Beach Main Street which shows everywhere that you can walk to.

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Airlie Beach Main Street Facing Towards Mandalay.

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If you are staying in Cannonvale, you can walk to Airlie Beach via the Boardwalk, which is a wooden walkway that follows the coastline from Cannonvale Beach to Airlie Beach. The first stretch of this Boardwalk between Cannonvale Beach and Peninsula Apartments is only 1.25km long and the picturesque views over the ocean are breathtaking, especially when the sun is setting.

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The Boardwalk that runs from Cannonvale Beach to Peninsula Apartments. Photo: RV Trips.

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From the Peninsula Apartments, you can continue your walk along a concrete path past Shingley Beach to the Coral Sea Marina which is only 1km away. Then the wooden Boardwark starts up again at the end of the marina near Sorrento Resturant & Bar and continues along the coastline for another 250m through to Coral Sea Resort. Once you reach this resort, it is only another 500m walk down Broadwater Avenue past the Airlie Beach Lagoon, until you reach the Main Street of Airlie Beach. Below is a map of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk which is around 3km in total. The Boardwalk is an easy flat walk which is popular for locals, especially on a Saturday morning when the Airlie Beach Parkrun is on.

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Hire A Bike

If you don’t like walking or you are looking for a quick and cheap way to travel around Airlie Beach, why not hire a pushbike! Click here for more information on hiring a bike.

Hire A Car Or Scooter

The easiest way to be able to explore the Whitsundays is by hiring your own car or scooter. That way you can travel anywhere, like to the beaches or cinema in Bowen, the waterfront drive at Hideaway Bay or to the Coral Beach bushwalk at Shute Harbour. If you hire your own car or scooter, your options are endless. Click here for more information on hiring a car or scooter.

Catch A Taxi

There are two taxi ranks in the Airlie Beach Main Street. Or if you see one driving by, you can usually flag it down. Otherwise you can call up and book a taxi to pick you up from your accommodation and drop you to wherever you need to go. Click here for more information on catching a taxi.

Jump In A Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuks are a fun and easy way to travel around Airlie Beach. A Tuk Tuk is a small carriage towed by a pushbike, so someone pedals you around! Click here for more information on how to hire a Tuk Tuk, or if you see one riding by feel free to flag them down!

Catch A Bus

The Whitsundays have buses running throughout each day which can pick you up and drop you off to Proserpine, Cannonvale, Airlie Beach, Jubilee Pocket, Shute Harbour and everywhere in between. Click here for more information on catching a bus.

Travelling To The Whitsunday Island Resorts

If you are wanting to travel to one of our island resorts at Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, you will need to catch a ferry. Cruise Whitsundays provide island transfers throughout each day which pick you up from the Port Of Airlie Marina. Click here for more information on ferry times and prices.

Exploring The Whitsunday Islands

Scamper is a locally owned and operated boat which can pick you up with your hiking or camping gear and drop you to one of our local islands for you to explore. You have the option of visiting the island for the day, or some of our islands offer camping grounds where you can stay the night. Click here for more information on exploring our Whitsunday islands.

Hire A Yacht

The best way to see exactly what the Whitsundays has to offer is to hire your own yacht or catamaran and sail or motor around the islands. No licence is required and it is an easy and fun way to explore the Whitsundays. Click here for more information on hiring a yacht.

Travelling To Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the Whitsundays and once you go there, you will see exactly why that is. It’s pristine silica sands and turquoise waters will take your breath away, there is no place like it on earth. If you have your own boat, you can travel to Whitehaven Beach with your friends and family. Or if you hire a boat as discussed above, you can also pull up anywhere you want along Whitehaven Beach. However, if you don’t have your own boat and you aren’t looking at hiring one, you can easily jump on a tour boat and cruise out to Whitehaven Beach for the day. Click here for more information on booking a tour to Whitehaven Beach.

Travelling To The Great Barrier Reef

Airlie Beach is the heart of The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is located 80km offshore from Airlie Beach, so travelling to the reef will take up most of your day. Cruise Whitsundays offer day trips to the reef, along with lunch and snorkelling equipment, so you will get to see some our Whitsunday tropical fish. Click here for more information on exploring The Great Barrier Reef.‍

The Great Barrie Reef located in the Whitsunday, Queensland, Australia
REVIEWS

Why Our Guests Keep Coming Back

Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Holiday on The Horizon, Airlie Beach Holiday Home with Jacuzzi
The views were absolutely stunning - perched up nice and high to get a beautiful view of Airlie and its surrounding islands!! The location was secluded enough that we felt nice and tucked away but close enough that we could walk to the main street. The house itself was absolutely gorgeous, had everything we needed and we all agreed the beds were some of the comfiest beds we had ever slept on. The check in and check out process was seamless and the hosts were great and gave us places to go and extra tips for our stay. We absolutely loved it!!
September 25, 2026
Paige
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Shutehaven Escape, Home with Pool with Ocean Views
Photos seemed almost too good to be true but the place is absolutely amazing. The view and private location were incredible.
September 25, 2026
Rick
6ab5ce05de2235ee94e0dfe5
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Holiday on The Horizon, Airlie Beach Holiday Home with Jacuzzi
An absolute dream stay! That direct ocean view is even more breathtaking in person than in the photos waking up to it every morning completely made my trip. The place was spotless, so cozy, and had everything we needed. Whitsunday Vacations made the whole booking super smooth too. Can't wait to come back!
September 24, 2026
Van
6ab4b3f4de2235ee94e06472
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Airlie Views Luxe Escape - Ocean Views and Pool
Exactly what was needed.It had it all.
September 23, 2026
Aaron
6ab50989de2235ee94e08e35
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'Vue de Bleu' Luxury Whitsunday Retreat
If you want views this is the place 😍 Beautiful home with stunning views overlooking the Whitsunday islands.Every morning absolutely wonderful sunrises out every window facing the water. The home itself is modern and spacious. It was perfect for our family holiday, with 3 separate levels, which worked well for us. The swimming pool was clean and also had the same exquisite views. We watched boats head out to the islands and stingrays swim in the shallows at low tide all from the deck. HIGHLY RECOMMEND, loved our stay And thanks to our host Ali who was fabulous at recommending and booking some of our activities We did the Ocean rafting, it was a great way to see the islands. Also the flight over the reef …. Amazing
September 23, 2026
Suanne
6ab455f4de2235ee94e04626
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
14 The Cove - Waterfront Whitsunday Home
We had an absolutely beautiful stay in Airlie Beach. The house was amazing and a beautiful location. There was so much to see and do - definite highlight was our day out on the water, where we saw whales, dolphins and turtles. Such a lovely holiday. We would highly recommend staying here and we definitely plan to return.
September 23, 2026
Alison
6ab45775de2235ee94e04671
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The Power House - Views & More
Perfect location, great value for our family getaway.The location was great, just a short walk into Airlie Beach Main Street. The hosts were easy to contact and very accommodating.
September 23, 2026
Tom
6ab42991de2235ee94e038c9
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Uninterrupted Marina Views at Port of Airlie
Exceptionally comfortable stay.The location and the room's styling.
September 23, 2026
Lynn
6ab3b653de2235ee94dff144
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Marina Living with views and more!
Wonderful
September 23, 2026
Mary
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Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Heart on Airlie Cres Airlie Beach Waterfront Home
Great stay for a girls weekend!
September 23, 2026
Katie
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Coral Sea Retreat - Holiday Home with Ocean Views
A fabulous location for our family to enjoy. Stunning views, very easy to enjoy!
September 23, 2026
Colleen
6ab334dede2235ee94dfb9e0
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'Island Time' Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment
Beautiful place to stay. Perfect position and is close to everything. The accomodation was excellent, has everything you need, will definitely return.
September 22, 2026
Simon
6ab4befbde2235ee94e068ac
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Coral Sea Retreat - Holiday Home with Ocean Views
We had a lovely stay here. Was very comfortable. Pool was great and the views were unrivalled. Will definitely stay again! 🤗✨
September 22, 2026
Courtney
63856216
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Cerulean Airlie Beach | Luxury Oceanview Villa
What a beautiful home - was perfect for our two families and stunning views. The ladies at Whitsunday Vacations were amazing to deal with, nothing was too much trouble - great communication and would highly recommend this home and using the team again.
September 22, 2026
Cazz
63814987
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Uninterrupted Marina Views at Port of Airlie
Beautiful location with great harbour views. Perfect location to catch a ferry or walk into town or just walk the esplanade. Great local cafes and beautiful accommodation.
September 21, 2026
Sharon
6ab1aa39de2235ee94df1374
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Amazing Penthouse with Breathtaking Airlie Beach Views
Amazing large place, beautiful views. We loved it and would recommend.
September 19, 2026
Kurt
6aaee8d2de2235ee94de2591
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