Backpacking the Whitsundays
Backpacking in Australia is a rite of passage for many overseas visitors but it is not unusual to run into a few young Australian travellers on the way.
Airlie Beach has long been known as a backpackers mecca, and for good reason. It's beautiful, has a wide array of budget accommodation to choose from and has an abundance of life-changing and adrenalin-pumping experiences to make the trip the holiday of a lifetime. If you've got energy after all the day's activities, you can hit the bars and clubs and find like-minded travellers to hang out and party until the small hours with on any day of the week.
With 74 islands and the Great Barrier Reef to explore and some of the calmest cruising waters just off the coast, you'll love every bit of the Whitsundays.
Follow the sun as you travel up the coast between the southern cities and the state's far north, just remember, when you reach Proserpine, turn right!
Accommodation
Airlie Beach has a huge variety of affordable accommodation to make your dollar stretch a little bit further. For something different, stay on a boat and see some of the region's best sights as you go, usually with all meals included!
More info on accommodation
Tours
From cheap all-in-one deals combining Airlie Beach with other hot destinations like the Fraser Coast, to thrill-seeking adventures and back-to-nature camping expeditions, there are so many things to do to make this the holiday of your lifetime. The hardest part will be deciding whether to do just one, or whether to indulge yourself, max out the credit card and do them all! (If you go home with savings still in your pocket, you haven't done it right!)
More info on tours
Work
Looking for harvest work to extend your visa? You're in luck. The Whitsundays include the town of Bowen, the vegetable and fruit-picking capital of Central Queensland. Check out www.harvesttrail.com.au for information about local harvest jobs to get your funds topped back up again, so you can enjoy another year in paradise. You may also find a job working in Airlie Beach or at one of the resort islands, check out www.workinthewhitsundays.com for job opportunities.
Weather
Opposite to the northern hemisphere, the summer months are December - February and the winter months are June - August. In the summer months the weather is generally hot and humid so you will only need the lightest of clothing. In winter, you might need a light jumper and jeans at night, but you can usually still wear shorts and t-shirts during the day and go swimming.
More info on weather
How to get here
Airlie Beach lies mid-way up the Queensland Coast, about 1100km north of Brisbane and 620km south of Cairns. Our nearest cities are Mackay, 150km to the south and Townsville, 280km to the north. Need a map?
There are two major airports in the region, serviced by two major airlines Jetstar and Virgin Blue. You can fly into the Whitsunday Coast Airport on the mainland at Proserpine (PPP) or fly into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI). At present, both airports have direct flights from Brisbane daily, with additional direct and connecting flights into Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns daily.
By road, Airlie Beach is on the bus routes with major operators Greyhound & Premier Coaches.
Of course you could always hire your own car or camper and make a road trip of the whole Queensland Coast for a trip to remember.
More info on how to get here
What to do in the Whitsundays
When you're not sailing, diving, snorkelling or visiting one of the other islands that are just off the coast, Airlie and the mainland has loads to keep you busy. Hang out at the lagoon - an enormous, free, swimming pool built right on the water's edge in the centre of town.
At night, hit the bars and clubs along the main street of Airlie. There are open air beer gardens at Beaches, Magnum's and Down Under Bar & Grill and party into the wee hours at Evolutions, Phoenix Bar, Paddy's Shenanigans and Mama Africa.
More info on what to see and do in the Whitsundays
More Info
Check out the Backpacking Queensland website for more information on Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.