The Luxury Resort Inspired From Unwanted Items
WHITSUNDAY VACATIONS

The Luxury Resort Inspired From Unwanted Items

dATE
Date
tIME
Time
vENUE
Venue
pRICE
Price

Kicking back at a luxurious resort usually comes with a hefty price tag but this resort makes a fancy experience more affordable.

Tucked away in North Queensland’s Airlie Beach is a luxurious little haven that’s full of unexpected surprises.

From the moment you roll up along the driveway to Freedom Shores – named after The Doors song Waiting for the Sun – you feel like you could be at any luxe tropical holiday destination, but without the hefty price tag.

Here you can stay in your own little boat bungalow with a private deck overlooking the picturesque Airlie ocean.

The popular tourist town, which provides easy access to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, has certainly recovered from Cyclone Debbie which ravaged the region in 2017.

And it was her aftermath that inspired Freedom Shores itself.

Freedom Shores sits on the Whitsunday Coast, Queensland.

Its boat cabins all have ocean views. The palm trees came from The Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Its boat cabins all have ocean views. The palm trees came from The Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

The nautical focus for the resort originated when the business acquired the old Shute Harbour jetty poles.

The marine facility at Shute Harbour was damaged extensively during the cyclone but Freedom Shores believed the poles “had character and beauty worthy of being saved”.

The timber inspired an entire resort built around reclaimed boats to create a truly special place that now sees the poles make up the entry ways to the boat cabins.

And those aren’t the only unwanted items that have been salvaged and given a new life – some of the palm trees within the grounds came from the set of the The Pirates of the Caribbean.

The trees were used when the movie was shot in the Whitsundays, but Freedom Shores scooped them up and planted them within the “hidden valley.”

But the showpiece of the resort is the salvaged “Shangri-La” boat which has been given pride of place at its entrance.

Shangri-La being used as a tourist vessel in the 1960s.

Shangri-La being used as a tourist vessel in the 1960s.

The boat at the resort today.

The boat at the resort today.

The vessel was part of General MacArthur’s fleet during World War II.

It was part of a small fleet that helped land soldiers, ammunition and stores at Milne Bay, Port Moresby, where the allied forces defeated a Japanese invasion of about 2400 soldiers.

It was the first defeat on land for the Japanese during the war, however they continued to bomb Port Moresby.

The boat was later used as a tourist vessel across the reef in the 1960s and now works as a deck and a place to relax with a drink alongside the resort’s pool.

While the resort is a bit out of town, its Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill provides a shuttle service making it easy to get about.

From town you can get out to the islands and the reef. We were lucky enough to head out for Cruise Whitsundays’ amazing Reef Sleep experience where you sleep in a swag under the stars on board their Heart Pontoon.

And the best part is, you’d never tell from your insta-worthy pics that you didn’t fork out a fortune to take advantage of one of the world’s greatest wonders.. the Whitsundays.

To book your next Whitsunday holiday, go to whitsundayvacations.com.au

The writer was a guest of Freedom Shores. Source: news.com.au.

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

Why Our Guests Keep Coming Back

Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Amazing Penthouse with Whitsundays lifestyle
We had a wonderful stay! The team were so flexible with check in & out, which was much appreciated. The penthouse is stunning. Views are unbelievable! Kitchen is well-stocked, beds are comfortable, plenty of room to spread out for 4 people. We would return in a heartbeat!
September 18, 2025
Liz
68cc6148a5ca23ef1c7bf374
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina Living with views and more!
Beautiful apartment and location.We had a relaxing stay and would highly recommend this apartment to anyone that visits Airlie Beach.
September 17, 2025
Elee
68ca3194a5ca23ef1c1d63c6
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Broadwater
Clean, spacious and close to everything. The view from the balcony is wonderful. This unit is within walking distance to town but far enough away from the noise.
September 17, 2025
Jennifer
68c9d6f20ae98d73bc71d1a4
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Coral Esplanade
Very nice Air Bnb inside and a lovely balcony to look over the water. Away from the hustle and bustle but you can still go for nice walks and very close to a good Cafe. Plus only a 5 minute drive into the centre of Airlie whenever you feel like it. Hosts were very friendly and accommodating too 👍👍
September 16, 2025
Adam
68c8e2e1a5ca23ef1ce496c6
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Mazlin House, Airlie Beach Waterfront Holiday Home ** New Waterfront Pool installed!**
The house had everything for a group of friends to catch up in for a few days. Plenty of space and was an easy walk to the bars and restaurants. Cheers!!
September 15, 2025
James
68cb9ad5a5ca23ef1c5ab663
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Escape - Beachfront with Swimming Pool
Amazing place to stay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 15, 2025
Alec
68c7d59ba5ca23ef1cb56e34
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Uninterrupted Marina Views at Port of Airlie
Wonderful ......we will be backApartment was really good and new
September 10, 2025
Bradley
68c2ad755b4064bdf25fb734
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Shutehaven Villa
Great place to stay, nice and quiet.
September 10, 2025
Matthew
68c141b05b4064bdf222c532
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Nautilus on Nara - Spacious Airlie Beach Holiday Home with Ocean Views (Pets on application)
Lovely accommodation. Very response via messages. Great price. Parking was a bit tight though, but otherwise a wonderful stay.
September 10, 2025
Shannon
68c11b635b4064bdf21d2d15
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Penthouse with rooftop swimming pool!
Beautiful place, very well maintained made it feel like a home for our holiday, will definitely be coming back!
September 10, 2025
Tayissa
68c0ea4d5b4064bdf2158513
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Cove 18 Luxury Whitsunday Waterfront Beach House
amazing place! close to the town and the port if you want to go on excursions
September 9, 2025
Goran
68c0b2be5b4064bdf20d2763
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Amazing Penthouse with Whitsundays lifestyle
A spacious apartment with fantastic expansive views of Airlie beach and the Whitsunday islands. Private and peaceful being located at the top of the hill. It has great facilities and little touches like pantry staples being included are welcomed. Lots of outdoor space for soaking up the incredible views.
September 8, 2025
Lee
68c1115c5b4064bdf21bb93f
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Luxury Airlie Beach Home with Panoramic Ocean Views
Our stay in the stunning home overlooking Airlie was perfect. There were all the amenities of home, including a beautifully appointed kitchen with everything you needed should you want to stay home and enjoy the best views in the region. The cleanliness of the property was first class, no need to clean anything before using anything. Plenty of towels for the pool and thoughtful to leave some basic necessities.This home has the best views across Airlie Beach and the islands, just stunning. We loved the home and hope to stay again in the future.
September 8, 2025
Ruth
68be307e5b4064bdf2a6c1a0
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina Waterfront Living at Port of Airlie
This apartment is in an excellent location close to the Main Street and beach. Nice view from the balcony. The pool is lovely (but just a tad too cold!). A perfect space for a family for 4 to stay.
September 7, 2025
Jacinta
68c0d7035b4064bdf212bb0b
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina Living with views and more!
Stunning apartment with an awesome view and conveniently located!The apartment was stunning! The view was amazing. Location was ideal!
September 7, 2025
Jennifer
68bdd8a55b4064bdf2993ea7
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
3 Bedroom Holiday Home, Valley Views in the heart of Airlie Beach
A lovely home with great facilities. Well placed to Airlie Beach township. Comfortable beds. Great indoor/outdoor areas for relaxation. Very helpful & friendly management. We will be back ! 👍🏻☺️
September 6, 2025
Pete
68bfbd5c5b4064bdf2e5131c
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Shutehaven Beach House with Ocean Views.
Very beautiful place and very peaceful
September 5, 2025
Jenny
68be71465b4064bdf2b00b78
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina living and Whitsundays lifestyle
Excellent one of my favourite holidaysAbsolutely fantastic
September 4, 2025
Darren
68b979905b4064bdf2e0ff72
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Uninterrupted Marina Views at Port of Airlie
I wonderful time at Airly Beach in a really great apartmentThe property was well appointed looked over the marina and was very close to town.
September 3, 2025
Lindsay
68b820b35b4064bdf2ab3ad6
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
'Nine Islands' Airlie Beach Luxury Holiday Home with ocean views
Well appointed. The hosts are great. Absolute pleasure to stay there and a perfect place for my wife to get ready for our wedding
September 2, 2025
Daniel
68c0d6ba5b4064bdf212b32a
Previous

Stay Up To Date with Our Specials

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest deals and event news.

SIGN UP
Please Enter Your Details
Close

Thanks for subscribing!

We’re working on NEWs for you – why not try our HOL-SPECIAL code for a 10% discount for any of your future bookings.

Click here for the best rates

We will not spam, rent, or sell your information.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.