Proserpine
Where Sugar Cane Meets The Sea.
A heritage country town 20 minutes inland from Airlie Beach. Cane fields, Art Deco shopfronts, and the gateway to Cedar Creek Falls.
Explore Proserpine
From Cedar Creek Falls and Lake Proserpine to heritage shopfronts and drive routes through the cane fields. The district rewards the curious.
Explore
Book tours, hire gear, and find local operators running day trips to Cedar Creek Falls, Lake Proserpine, and the surrounding hinterland.
Eat & Drink
Proserpine's cafes, bakeries, and pub feeds sit along Main Street. A short stop between the coast and the cane.
Travellers Tips
Sugar Shed markets run on the last Sunday of each month. Cedar Creek Falls is a 30-minute drive west, best visited after rain. The town's Art Deco buildings are clustered along Main Street and worth a slow walk.
Farming & Sugar Heritage
Sugar cane farming has shaped Proserpine since the 1880s, with crushing mills still operating seasonally and cane trains running across the coastal plain. The Sugar Shed markets celebrate this heritage every month with local produce, honey, tropical fruit, and handmade goods from the district's growers.
Farming & Sugar Heritage
Sugar cane farming has shaped Proserpine since the 1880s, with crushing mills still operating seasonally and cane trains running across the coastal plain. The Sugar Shed markets celebrate this heritage every month with local produce, honey, tropical fruit, and handmade goods from the district's growers.
The Hint is in the name
Explorer George Dalrymple named the district Proserpina in 1859, after the Roman goddess of fertility, struck by how richly the land would yield. The name was anglicised to Proserpine, and the fertility he noticed proved right: sugar cane has dominated the landscape here for over 140 years.
The Hint is in the name
Explorer George Dalrymple named the district Proserpina in 1859, after the Roman goddess of fertility, struck by how richly the land would yield. The name was anglicised to Proserpine, and the fertility he noticed proved right: sugar cane has dominated the landscape here for over 140 years.
What's On
Local markets, rodeos, agricultural shows, and community events run throughout the year in and around Proserpine.
Find Your Way.
Four ways to experience The Whitsundays. The islands, reef, and sand stay the same. The way you explore them changes everything.
Planning Your Proserpine Trip
The gateway to The Whitsundays, with cane fields, heritage shopfronts, and Cedar Creek Falls on the doorstep.
What is Proserpine known for?
Most visitors pass through on the way to Airlie Beach, but the town rewards those who stop: the Sugar Shed markets, croc-spotting tours on the Proserpine River, and heritage buildings along Main Street are all worth the detour.
How far is Proserpine from Airlie Beach?
Taxis and shuttle transfers operate between Whitsunday Coast Airport and Airlie Beach for those flying in.
What are the Sugar Shed markets and when do they run?
The Sugar Shed itself tells the story of the region's cane industry with an interactive museum and working model of a crushing mill.
Can you visit Cedar Creek Falls from Proserpine?
The swimming hole at the base is popular with locals. There are no facilities on site, so bring water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear for the short walk from the car park.
Is there accommodation in Proserpine?
Most visitors staying in the region choose Airlie Beach as their base, with Proserpine serving as the arrival point via Whitsunday Coast Airport. For a quieter, more affordable stay away from the coast, Proserpine is a practical and characterful choice.
Sign up for our latest deals, events, specials & secrets!