Queensland Camper Touring: Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach has everything you would want from a beach town, vibrant yet also relaxed it has beautiful surrounds and endless activities on offer. It is best known as the access point to the splendour of the Whitsunday Islands, a world renowned collection of reefs and islands clustered around the coastline, a sailors' and divers' paradise. Because of its idyllic location, Airlie Beach has become a hotspot for backpackers and campervan travellers. The town boasts an incredible energy during the day and night that has given it a reputation as a party town. Don't be mistaken though, the range of accommodation and attractions on offer means it does also cater to families. If you take a flight to see the Whitsundays from the air, you will see the famous Heart Reef, a landmark best appreciated when seen from above.

Numerous campsites make it campervan friendly, which helps to explain why it is one of the most visited spots in Queensland. As an example, the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort and the Island Gateway Holiday Park both offer powered sites, and have a large range of facilities for visitors with campervans, which include barbeques, pools, playgrounds, internet access, kiosks, laundries and shower blocks, even recreation rooms and tennis courts.

The down side of tropical North Queensland is that the Coral Sea has a seasonal influx of marine stingers: blue bottles and box jellyfish. Always check the conditions before heading into the water. The local council built a beautiful swimming lagoon on the foreshore to provide somewhere for visitors to enjoy a swim during the stinger season.

Airlie Beach is not just about the Whitsundays. To its south lies the Conway National Park. There are many walks through the hills and valleys there; the rainforest is amongst the oldest in the world and it is home to an impressive array of local Queensland wildlife (though steer clear of the cassowaries). To explore the park on foot, you can leave your vehicle at the day-use area, the Swamp Bay/Mount Rooper car park or the Coral Beach car park. There is no camping available to campervans in the park. The nearest town is Proserpine, a 25min drive inland, which in 2007 won the Tourism Queensland's Friendliest Town award. The Proserpine Museum is located on the Bruce Highway, adjacent to the information centre.

You can't go wrong with a holiday in Airlie Beach, so why don't you use the planner below and check out our campervan hire availability for your holiday dates? If you have any questions, head to our FAQ's page, or just give us a call on one of the numbers provided.