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.

Airlie Beach Main Street Facing Towards Mandalay.

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.

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

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.

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
Marina Living with views and more!
Great location and view, easy walk to beach and town centre, great cafe below, clean and tidy with very comfortable beds, we will be back 😊
November 11, 2025
Linda
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Shutehaven Villa
Amazing views
November 11, 2025
Shulin
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Whitsunday Waterfront Luxury at 19 The Cove
Great place to stay if you’re looking for quiet but still close to shops and restaurants.Hosts were great a the property was also!
November 10, 2025
Dylan
6912782cd378d49a40d8c92f
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Coastal Haven Retreat - Luxe Airlie Beach Holiday Home
Absolutely flawless experience. The view was incredible, the beds were super comfy and there was heaps of space throughout. The huge balcony was amazing and we spent so much time out there taking in the view. Beautiful interiors, spotless and really well thought out. We loved using the sauna and spotting all the beautiful wildlife in the area. We even enjoyed the challenge of the steep walk back each day. Would book again in a heartbeat.
November 10, 2025
Chelsea
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Marina Living with views and more!
Was lovelyAs beautiful as pictures Close to everything
November 9, 2025
Alexandra
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Amazing Penthouse with Whitsundays lifestyle
We had a fantastic time staying at this penthouse in Airlie Beach! The property offers breathtaking views of the coastline, which we couldn’t get enough of throughout our stay. The space is incredibly generous, with plenty of room to relax and unwind. We especially loved the open layout and the inviting living areas — perfect for enjoying the beautiful surroundings.The penthouse is well-equipped with lots of amenities that made our stay comfortable. While some of the amenities were a little dated and could use some attention, the location was ideal for a relaxing holiday. We also appreciated that several local activities and restaurants offered complimentary pick-up and drop-off from the property — a really nice touch!Overall, we had a wonderful stay and would definitely recommend this penthouse to anyone visiting Airlie Beach.
November 8, 2025
Leah
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Marina Waterfront Living at Port of Airlie
Easy, comfortable, hassle free, great location. What you want from a family holiday. Will return and recommend..Clean and welcoming. Great location
November 6, 2025
Michelle
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Truly a magnificent apartment right on the water and centrally located. The hosts were very welcoming. This was the perfect place to stay in paradise.
November 4, 2025
Bee
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Whitsunday Penthouse with rooftop swimming pool!
Great place! We loved playing pool every night and enjoying the views!
November 4, 2025
Abbey
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Airlie Beach Marina-Front Luxury at 10 The Cove
This was a perfect location to base ourselves for our family holiday.
November 3, 2025
Hannah
6908217c7bc09f919befbd39
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Shutehaven Beach House with Ocean Views.
Charming & relaxing older vintage home with spectacular viewsOutstanding views with peace & quiet. Hybrid mid-century modern/spanish mission style older home, simply & adequately furnished without fuss making for a comfortable & relaxing older home with several outdoor spaces to sit & relax. Yes, it is an older home and could do with some cosmetic work in places, but it is also charming. Terrific for a relaxing, peaceful holiday and has both fabulous fans & aircon for when you need to escape the outdoor heat & humidity. Also close to Airlie Beach and for boat trips both the Port of Airlie and the Shute Harbour Marina/terminal. Best if you have a car while you stay here and there is plenty of parking on site.
November 2, 2025
Rosalind
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Amazing Penthouse with Whitsundays lifestyle
Amazing apartment with its own pool and mind blowing views… the kitchen had everything you could possibly need. I can’t imagine wanting to stay anywhere else. We have stayed at this resort before, but didn’t have a penthouse… now I can’t imagine not staying in the penthouse. The kids loved getting up and heading straight to our own pool, while we watch on with morning coffee. Only thing to maybe be aware of is the walk into town if you don’t have a car… it’s a big hill, however plenty of taxis and courtesy buses to different places in Airlie beach.
October 31, 2025
Carly
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Holiday on The Horizon, Airlie Beach Holiday Home with Jacuzzi
Great views and location, everything was ready and clean when we got there, no issues at all!!
October 31, 2025
Isabella
69046b0f7bc09f919b82d4ac
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Waterfront Luxury at 19 The Cove
This was one of the most beautiful places we’ve stayed. Every detail was perfect — from the design and cleanliness to the little touches that made it feel so special. Whitsunday Vacations were wonderful to communicate with and made our stay seamless and relaxing. Highly recommended !
October 30, 2025
Jamie
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'Vue de Bleu' Luxury Whitsunday Retreat
Great place with an spectacular view, comfortable and clean.
October 30, 2025
Brianda
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"High Tide" - Whitsundays Beachfront Accommodation
Wow! Just wow! The views from High Tide are incredible, with multiple options to sit and enjoy them - dining area balcony, outdoor sofa area balcony (perfect for sunsets), main bedroom balcony or from the lovely pool. All looking out to Pigeon Reef and Double Cone Reef. Our family really relaxed and enjoyed the space and could have stayed on for weeks! It’s a great base for activities (reef and Whitsunday trips, crocodile safari and various local hikes). The Fat Frog cafe (delicious coffee and food) is just 5 mins walk away. We popped into Airlie beach for a few meals, visit the market but honestly, for us High Tide was perfect for peace and privacy whilst still being close to everything we needed. Thank you to Ruth and Paul for sharing this beautiful home.
October 30, 2025
Hayley
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Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Broadwater
Spent two beautiful weeks here. Views are absolutely stunning, waking up every morning with beautiful views of the ocean.Plenty of kitchen equipment for hosting. Dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer are a god send!!Very central to to everything.A very happy hoilday had by my family.
October 30, 2025
Becki
6902e8fe7bc09f919b565219
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3 Bedroom Holiday Home, Valley Views in the heart of Airlie Beach
Highly recommend staying here. Fantastic amenities, private and great location.
October 30, 2025
Anna
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Marina living and Whitsundays lifestyle
Really enjoyed our stay, the apartment has everything you need to explore the whitsundays and Airlie Beach!
October 29, 2025
Amy
6901a5da7bc09f919b30f28f
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