Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach Lagoon: safe, year-round swimming in landscaped environment; foreshore. Whale watching: tours July–Sept depart Abel Point Marina; details from visitor centre. Sailing: be it traditional sailing, adventure or luxury crewed; details from visitor centre. Skydiving: tandem skydive and take in the stunning views from very high above; (07) 4946 9115.

Conway National Park Covering 35 km of coastline, this park is renowned for its natural beauty and as the habitat of the Proserpine rock wallaby (endangered species). Walks start in Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. The Mt Rooper Lookout is a highlight, featuring a panoramic view over Hamilton, Dent, Long and Henning islands. Access the park off the road to Shute Harbour; (07) 4967 7355; 3 km SE.

Daydream Island A small island of volcanic rock, coral and dense tropical foliage. Daydream has a Kids Club, tennis, outdoor cinema, watersports centre, snorkelling, diving, and reef and island trips. Luxurious resort (maximum 900 people); 10 km NW.

Hayman Island Close to the outer reef, with fishing, sightseeing trips, scenic flights, diving, watersports, Kids Club and whale-watching excursions. Big-game enthusiasts strive to catch black marlin off the island Sept–Nov. Luxury resort (maximum 450 people); 30 km NE.

South Molle Island Numerous inlets and splendid views of Whitsunday Passage, plus great wildflowers in spring and early summer. There’s golf, bushwalking, snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing and sailing. Medium-size resort (maximum 520 people); 12 km NE.

Lindeman Island Part of Lindeman Islands National Park with bushwalking and panoramic views from Mt Oldfield. Tropical rainforest surroundings home to prolific bird and butterfly populations. Secluded beaches, crystal waters and scuba diving. Formerly the location of Club Med, at the time of going to press the resort was being sold. 39 km SE.

Whitsunday Island Entirely uninhabited national park, with a beautiful 7-kilometre white silica beach and complex mangrove system. Camping only (maximum 40 people); details from Airlie Beach parks office; 27 km E.

Hamilton Island A large island with a wide range of facilities and activities, shops, marina and fauna park. There’s windsurfing, sailing, fishing, scuba diving, parasailing, helicopter rides, tennis, squash, and reef and inter-island trips. Resort (maximum 1500 people); 27 km SE.

Hook Island: impressive waterfalls and beautiful butterflies to be seen at Butterfly Bay; 28 km NE. Crocodile safaris and fishing trips: to nearby coastal wetlands; details from visitor centre. Scenic flights: various tours over the 74 Whitsunday islands; details from visitor centre.

Lake Proserpine 40 km

The closed season for barramundi in Queensland runs from November to February, but some of the best barra waters are exempt and this includes the fabulous Lake Proserpine, often called Peter Faust Dam, 26 km east of... Find out more

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Seaforth 74 km

Seaforth is about an hour’s drive north of Mackay, depending on cane harvester traffic. The small seaside resort is remarkable in that it hasn’t yet been overrun by developers, although that is changing... Find out more

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Pioneer River 98 km

Fishing from a canoe is one of the best ways to get close and personal with the environment. Even when the fish are small, catching them from a canoe is both challenging and rewarding. With that in mind, I jumped at the... Find out more

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Teemburra Dam 104 km

Mackay has excellent freshwater options. The most popular venues are the region’s dams in the Pioneer Valley – Teemburra, Eungella and Kinchant. Of these, the best known is Teemburra in Eungella National... Find out more

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Hiking the Whitsundays Great Walk 9 km

In the past few years a 30-kilometre walking track – the Whitsundays Great Walk – has been established, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, through Conway State Forest. The two main camps, Repulse Creek and... Find out more

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Wildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 21 km

Proserpine River Eco Tours runs an eco-accredited all-day wildlife safari in which you have a fairly good chance of seeing saltwater crocodiles, agile wallabies, mud crabs and frillnecked lizards. The tour combines a... Find out more

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Camping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 23 km

If you want to camp on one of the Whitsunday Islands but do not want to kayak and do not own a boat, Camping Whitsundays and Island Camping Connections run a drop-off and pickup service, supply camping gear and food if... Find out more

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Picnicking around Bowen and Mackay 56 km

There is plenty of shade to go around at Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, a 24-hectare parkland with botanic gardens, wetlands, a bird hide and free barbecues. The lush Botanic Gardens at Mackay are also recommended.... Find out more

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Reef HQ, Townsville 229 km

This eco-accredited, non-profit aquarium is a great spot to go before or after you visit the reef itself, as it will introduce you to some of the main characters out there and give you lots of great information about... Find out more

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Bushwalking on Magnetic Island 231 km

Magnetic Island has about 25 kilometres of walking tracks, many with outstanding views of the coast, or ending at isolated beaches. Do not miss the 2-kilometre Forts Walk, with a good chance of seeing a koala or two, and... Find out more

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Hamilton Island Golf Club 25 km

When Hamilton Island was being built in the 1980s it was a playground of the rich and famous. The island’s owner and developer, Keith Williams, knew a golf course would add to the tourism value of his island... Find out more

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Déjà Vu

Déjà Vu is famous for its Long Sunday Lunch, an eight-course feast. On weekdays you can enjoy a well-priced lunch special beside the infinity pool overlooking the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday islands. For... Find out more

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Townsville Brewing Company 228 km

Based in an historic former post office building, Townsville Brewing Company has been brewing six regular beers (Townsville Bitter, Lager Lout, Burdekin Gold, Digger’s Pale Ale, Ned’s Red Ale and... Find out more

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Big4 Airlie Cove Resort Van Park 3 km

<p>This modern tourist park with excellent facilities is located 2.5 km from Airlie Beach town centre on Shute Harbour Road. The campground is grassy and shady and features a 'Polynesian style' camp kitchen... Find out more

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Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 4 km

This impressive 10-hectare landscaped camping and caravan park is conveniently located about 250m from Airlie Beach's Centro Whitsunday Shopping Centre. The facilities are top class: ensuite powered sites, plenty of... Find out more

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Bloodwood camp 6 km

Hikers on the Whitsunday Great Walk can camp at this site, 11.5 km (5–6 hrs) from Repulse Creek camp and 8.5 km from the end of the walk at Airlie Beach. The track from Repulse Creek follows a ridge to the summit... Find out more

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Swamp Bay camping area (walk-in camping) 6 km

Walk 2.1 km from the Swamp Bay/Mt Rooper carpark to this campground overlooking Daydream Island (no vehicle access). A pit toilet, shelter shed and picnic tables are the only facilities, so you need to bring all... Find out more

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Tancred Island camping area 9 km

Just 1 km from Shute Harbour, this campground has no facilities and suits self-sufficient campers only. A maximum of 6 campers per night are permitted.... Find out more

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Grimstone Point camping area (boat-based camping) 11 km

This low-key, quiet campground is accessed by boat only. Pit toilets and picnic tables are the only facilities here so bring all self-sufficient goods and equipment (including insect repellent).... Find out more

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Sandy Bay camping area 12 km

Reached only by boat at mid-high tide, this campground on the west side of South Molle Island is connected to the rest of the island by a 11.5 km walking track system. The clearing can hold a maximum of 36... Find out more

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Cockatoo Beach camping area 12 km

This campground is at the southern end of North Molle Island. The site holds a maximum of 24 people and suits self-sufficient campers only; bring a gas/fuel stove.... Find out more

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Paddle Bay camping area 12 km

Overlooking Daydream Island, Paddle Bay is a well-shaded site connected to the 11.5 km walking track system at the north-western tip of the island, 500 m from the resort. The maximum number of campers is 12. Generators... Find out more

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Denman Island camping area 14 km

Denman Island, east of South Molle Island, has a small campsite with a sand and rubble surface suitable for a maximum for 4 people. The island is 6.5 km east-north-east of Shute Harbour and can be accessed at low or high... Find out more

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Flametree Tourist Village 4 km

This is a well-known park in the heart of a popular holiday destination. Enjoy the pool, covered barbecues and other features. This is a good place at a reasonable price in this busy coastal strip. Bookings are required... Find out more

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BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 4 km

This is a top quality park in an exceptionally popular holiday destination. The park has many features including a kids club, a tennis court and minigolf. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay... Find out more

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Proserpine Tourist Park 21 km

In a quiet off-highway part of Proserpine, this is a very neat park that adjoins the town swimming pool, golf course and bowling green. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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O’Connell River Whitsunday Tourist Park 35 km

Located alongside the highway 22 km south of Proserpine, this place has good basic facilities and is for an overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park 43 km

There are no more sandflies or midges at Midge Point than elsewhere, but there is a lovely beachside caravan park with lawns, large shady trees and a host of other great features. We really enjoy staying here. Bookings... Find out more

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BIG4 Bowen Coral Coast Beachfront Holiday Park 58 km

Bowen is a popular coastal town and this park has absolute beach frontage, with excellent facilities and spotless amenities. Swimming, snorkelling and walking are all popular activities here. Beachfront sites are... Find out more

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Wangaratta at the Beach Caravan Park 60 km

Great for a winter break, this is a very neat and tidy council park on the waterfront, adjoining the golf course. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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St Helens Gardens Caravan Park 71 km

A basic park with good facilities, this place is set back from the highway beside Kolijo Creek, 1 km south of the Calen Post Office. This is a good overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Seaforth Camping Area 75 km

This is a popular open camping area right on the beachfront in the heart of the small town.... Find out more

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Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort 81 km

This park within Cape Hillsborough National Park offers camping and caravan sites and is a great spot for a break. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Airlie Waterfront B&B

With a stunning location right on the waterfront, this is no ordinary B&B, having won many awards for hosted accommodation. It offers a choice of rooms, including one- and two-bedroom spa suites and apartments. It is... Find out more

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BIG4 Adventure 
Whitsunday Resort

This is one of Australia’s biggest and best caravan parks, offering a wide range of accommodation from campsites to a three-bedroom condominium-style option sleeping up to eight people. Set in 10 hectares, it contains... Find out more

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Pinnacles Resort and Spa

There are only 29 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in this luxurious resort. All have a private spa, and these are on the balcony in the two- and three-bedroom units. Every unit has a sea view and a full-size... Find out more

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Whitsunday Terraces

These self-contained apartments, ranging from studio to interconnecting family suites accommodating up to seven people, are set into a hillside and have large balconies from which to enjoy views over the gloriously blue... Find out more

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Bungalow Bay Koala Village 232 km

Declared Australia’s best backpacker accommodation, this low-key eco-accredited resort, with pool and family-style restaurant, has 2.8 hectares of camping area and 30 A-frame bungalows, 25 of which are... Find out more

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Mount Gordon Park Area 56 km

60 km N of Proserpine (R) or 8 km S of Bowen (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S20 02.800 E148 13.739  ... Find out more

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St Helens Beach Camp Area 65 km

T/O 54 km N of Mackay (R) or 70 km S of Proserpine (L) Small campground located 13 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the south end of the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 50.426 E148... Find out more

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Seaforth Camp Area 75 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Large foreshore campground located 23 kilometres east of the highway at the end of the road into the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 54.074 E148... Find out more

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Ball Bay Camp Area 76 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Very small grassy campground on the foreshore 2 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 4 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) at the end of the road... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach Camp Area 78 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Small area on the beach among dense coastal vegetation 1.5 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 5.5 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) in Cape... Find out more

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Palm Tree Creek Park Area 86 km

34 km N of Mackay (L) or 90 km S of Proserpine (R) Small area adjacent to the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S21 01.676 E148 53.572... Find out more

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Guthalungra Rest Area 99 km

49 km N of Bowen (L) or 56 km S of Home Hill (R) Small area just off the highway opposite the roadhouse. Limited shade. GPS: S19 55.440 E147 50.571... Find out more

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Sarina Park Area 140 km

South side of town Large parking area just off the highway behind the roadhouse. Good shade. GPS: S21 26.183 E149 13.387  ... Find out more

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