Trying to figure out how you’re going to get to The Whitsundays and then get around the mainland and the island? Here are our travel tips!
Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine is the best airport to fly into if you’re holidaying at Airlie Beach. The Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island is the best option if you are predominately staying on Hamilton Island.
You can also fly into Mackay Airport and take the 1hour 45minute road trip north to Airlie Beach on the Bruce Highway.
Drive south from Cairns to north from Proserpine along the Pacific Coast Way on the Bruce Highway to find Airlie Beach.
You can catch the Tilt train from Brisbane to Proserpine and from there catch a transfer into Airlie Beach.
To fully appreciate the Whitsunday Coast, getting a hire car is the best option. With Airlie Beach is your base, there are a bunch of day road trips that you can plan to explore the surrounding mainland areas:
From the Port of Airlie or Shute Harbour at Airlie Beach you can catch island transfers to Hamilton Island, visit the Whitsundays Island and the iconic Whitehaven Beach or cruise around the Whitsundays.
You can also hire a bareboat and captain your own crew. This gives you ultimate freedom to charter your own course around the islands and explore hidden cays and islets. Tell me more about sailing.