I AIRLIE BEACH
#15
Lucky one to have spent one month in the heart of the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach. Located about 140km north of Mackay, Airlie beach is used to being well known for being a backpackers’ town, but Airlie beach has changed over the past few years.
The little town is now a prime holiday destination for couples and families as well. Airlie Beach boasts in fact a broad array of accommodation from stylish resort hotels on the water’s edge and apartments on the hillside with a stunning view on the beach, to bed and breakfasts, motels and caravan parks as well as a host of youth hostels.
I loved my stay there for a few reasons which I wanted to share with you.
1. Its atmosphere
After a few hour – drive from the North, it feels just so right to take the plunge in the beautiful swimming lagoon! Great facility and idea we don’t have in France! I liked the relaxed atmosphere and the holiday feel around the pool. It’s also a great place to meet new friends from all around the world and share travel stories. Why not organizing a barbeque as well and do the most of the area.
Refreshed, relaxed and ready for the next adventure, I enjoyed the bars in the town. Vibrant and alive, Airlie Beach is the beating heart of the Whitsundays! If you are looking for partying, you won’t be disappointed as every night is a bit of a Saturday night!
Shops open 7 days a week was a good point for me, travelling around so much during my stay, easy! I appreciated the Saturday market where you can find fruit and veggies, arts and crafts under the coconut palms on the foreshore. A good week end start.
#LOVEAIRLIEBEACH
Touring all the restaurants of the towns, I especially loved the establishment Fish D’vine which is a unique combination of seafood restaurant and rum bar! It may sound a bit bizarre but actually I was pretty impressed by the quality of this restaurant!
And it became quite easily my favourite place in town to have a wonderful dinner or simply a delicious cocktail! My best nights in Airlie Beach were spent there! I recommend you go with a bunch of friends and order the group tasting menu, which is a bit of all their specialities to share, very convivial. A great introduction in the seafood in the Whitsundays.
I will always remember my first time I had the chili mud crab which was simply exquisite! On top of divine food, the staff is lovely and all they want is you having a great time! The owner is passionate about his Rum Bar, which was actually not planned to become the first one in the whole country! One bartender didn’t like to serve breakfast, in order to avoid doing this every day, he suggested this amazing idea to open a rum bar next to the restaurant.
Result: You can’t miss the Rum Wall with more than 200 kinds of rums on display.
I have never had better mojitos than there and the passionfruit one was also a hit!
Well done!
I already miss you…
2. Its new restaurants and bar and especially Fish D’vine
3. Its location, in the heart of the Whitsundays
Airlie Beach was the perfect location to enjoy the Whitsundays. All the tours depart from Abell Point Marina and actually you don’t have to be staying at an island resort to enjoy the islands. Local boat company Cruise Whitsundays does multi-island ferry trips within one day.
You can visit the islands and enjoy the experience and still come back to your accommodation on the Whitsunday Coast. Easy!
To discover more about what the Whitsundays have to offer, check out my #16 best adventure !
