7 days in Airlie Beach

For anyone who has been to Airlie Beach the first thing you would have noticed when you arrived is that you just got to paradise!! Aside from Airlie Beach being the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands there are also a number of other things which are must see’s when visiting the area. Here is our 7 day plan to make the most out of your stay in paradise.

Day One

Welcome to Paradise!! Most people tend to get here by bus from Cairns or Noosa. This is not the greatest experience, being stuck on a bus for 12 hours, but is totally worth it when you get here. Usually the day people arrive the tiredness kicks in and it’s the perfect opportunity to lay by our beautiful pool here at Nomads Airlie Beach and soak in the tropical sun. After a day of chilling grab yourself a beer from The Shed Bar and come talk to the guys at the MAD Travel Shop who will get you booked on all your trips which are guaranteed to make this the best week ever.

Airlie Beach – heart of the Reef
Day Two / Three

Lets be honest… The Whitsundays are why you’re here in Airlie Beach so why delay? Get out there and see them then you can spend the next few days talking about how amazing your trip was to all your new mates. When heading out to the islands we would always recommend an overnight boat, you get to see so much more of the islands and have the best possible experience. Whether you like to party, sail or travel in luxury there is a boat for everyone.

Each boat offers a difference experience for the days you are out on the Islands but all main boats will visit the famous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. These picture perfect destinations will make all your friends back home jealous and provide you with memories of a lifetime. Enjoy your days snorkelling and taking in the sights and if you are lucky you might even find Nemo!

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Day Four

If, after Airlie, you are heading south and have missed out seeing the Great Barrier Reef then here is your next best spot to see it. Head out for the day on Seaflight and have a fantastic, relaxing day out on the pontoon at Hardy Reef! Have a snorkel, a dive if you’re interested, experience the glass bottom boat and have a great meal while you’re out there. When you come back, check out all the local places for your best deal on food as there’s some lovely (and cheap) places to eat in Airlie Beach.

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Great Barrier Reef from above
Day Five

If you’re looking for some down time after spending so much time out on the water or are just plain tired from all the travelling you’ve been doing, then spend a day at the Airlie Beach Lagoon. It’s safe for a bit of a swim and it’s just a relaxing place to spend a nice day.

Or if you’re not really the relaxing type, then jump in a car and head out to Cedar Creek Falls (or another one of our Top 3 secret locations in Airlie Beach!) They’re located about 30 kilometres from Airlie Beach and offer some fantastic flora and fauna. The water is usually running and pristine and you can have a swim at the bottom of the falls if you feel up to it.

Airlie Beach Lagoon
Day Six

So, by now we’re up to the end of the week. I recommend taking one of the amazing one day tours that Airlie Beach has to offer. The Whitsunday Crocodile Safari is one of the better land based tours to do around Airlie Beach, and is extremely educational, the local scenic flights are also amazing and reasonably cheap, there are aerobatic adventures you can do, or have another day out on the water. Ocean Rafting, the Camira and Derwent Hunter are all good, and very different trips to go on for the day, if you have the time / money.

Image provided by Ocean Rafting
Day Seven

Relax and recover from an amazing week in Airlie Beach and prepare for the next leg of your journey. Sit by our pool, pack your bags, have a beer at The Shed Bar and look forward to the rest of your journey on Australias East Coast.

Shed Bar at Nomads Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach has so much to offer and if you’ve got the time, you should definitely take advantage of all its beauty. It’s the heart of the Whitsunday Islands, and when you’re staying at a place like Nomads Airlie Beach, with the Mad Travel gurus organising your trips – it becomes one of the easiest, and most memorable, weeks of your life!

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