Are you thinking about visiting Airlie Beach, Australia? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Airlie Beach worth visiting?
This town is a good place to visit for four to seven days. For many, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. It is a resort town that has a mix of luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and backpacker hostels. There are ferries and excursions that leave from the town and visit the islands, but many visitors also choose to spend some time exploring the mainland area as well.
Airlie Beach
Reasons to Visit Airlie Beach
Resorts
There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.
Beaches
Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.
Hiking
You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.
Food
There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.
Nightlife
The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.
Shopping
Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.
Is Airlie Beach worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Airlie Beach is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather in Airlie Beach is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 26°C (79°F). But it can get as warm as 30°C (86°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the hiking, and the resorts. Also, you can take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Airlie Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| February | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| March | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
Is Airlie Beach worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather in Airlie Beach is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 23°C (73°F). But it can get as warm as 28°C (82°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Airlie Beach, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Autumn Weather in Airlie Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| June | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Airlie Beach worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Airlie Beach. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 16°C (62°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to sample the delicious cuisine and grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Airlie Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| August | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| September | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Is Airlie Beach worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Airlie Beach. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (83°F).
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the beautiful scenery, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Airlie Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| December | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Airlie Beach
Museums
Airlie Beach isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Airlie Beach might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Airlie Beach here or see if Airlie Beach is expensive here.
Related
What is Airlie Beach most famous for?
Airlie Beach is most famous for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. The town is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. And many visitors also come to this town for its food, nightlife, and shopping. It is often described as idyllic, paradise, laid back, and slow-paced.
What is the most famous sight in Airlie Beach?
The most popular sight in Airlie Beach is the Airlie Beach Lagoon. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Airlie Beach on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Airlie Beach Lagoon and other attractions here.
How touristy is Airlie Beach? Is it a popular town to visit?
Airlie Beach is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- Full-Day Tour with Whitsunday Bullet: $140
- Whitehaven From Above - 30 minute Whitsunday Helicopter Tour: $267
- Shute Harbour Scenic Sunset Tour: $66
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- The Big Island Day Tour: Full day tour to Whitehaven Beach: $167
- Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
- Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour: $86
How long should I spend in Airlie Beach?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Airlie Beach is at least four or as many as seven days. Since Airlie Beach has a variety of activities such as resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Airlie Beach?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Airlie Beach?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Airlie Beach?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.