A couple of weeks ago, I found myself on a plane, a bit of a shock after so long away from travel, heading up for a few days with family in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays.
The 74 Whitsunday Islands lie between the north-east coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, a massive stretch of coral, teeming with marine life. The islands are made up of dense rainforest and white sandy beaches, and most are uninhabited.
The town of Airlie Beach on the mainland is the region’s central hub. Even with all the development of the area, they’ve managed to keep the village look.
The first day, after an early morning coffee in the village, my son and I headed out to explore the bay area and the Conway National Park. We started at Conway Beach, one of many breeding and resting places for marine turtles around the islands and shoreline.
Next stop was Cedar Creek Falls, a delightful spot for a cool dip on a hot Queensland day.
On the way out, we crossed a bridge over a little river, a lovely spot for a photo, I thought, until I was warned I was likely to lose a leg. Crocodiles wait in there for unwary tourists doing just that. I stayed in the car.
Lunch was at Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill, on the other side of the bay from Airlie Beach.
Our last stop for the day was my favourite, Shute Harbour, looking across aquamarine water towards the myriad islands of the Whitsundays.
We headed back for a break before dinner at the marina. I pretended I was rich enough to own one of the massive vessels moored there. A lot of money at Airlie Beach.
Later in the week we went exploring again, this time into the countryside, through paddocks and cane fields, around to another delightful spot, Dingo Beach. The Dingo Beach pub has its tables laid out along the grass looking out over the beach and the bay. So relaxing. It also has a few motel rooms and I thought how lovely it would be to walk out of your room in the morning straight into nature. It’s in the back of my mind for the future
We stopped for a drink at various places on the way back. By this stage I had no idea where I was but that was okay. I just allowed myself to be carted along from one stunning spot to another.
We ate at a different place each night (there are endless choices, food-wise), heading back afterwards to watch the football, needless to say. We are Melburnians, after all.
Sunshine and heat are not everyone’s cup of tea, but they are definitely mine. I think I’m probably a Queenslander, that happened to be born in Melbourne. As far as I’m concerned, if there’s a heaven, and if I get there, it will look like Queensland’s Whitsundays.
Planning to the Nth 
Hopefully an east coast and Queensland holiday is on the cards for us next year. 🤞 Airlie Beach will definitely be high on the list.
LikeLike
Cross fingers, Glenys. Hope you can make it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos Coral in a magical part of Australia. Love your comments about probably a Queenslander born in Melbourne. I’m that too,
You’ve motivated me to go there again soon
LikeLike
That’s great. Thanks.
LikeLike
What a lovely post. This brought back happy memories Coral of our visit to Airlie Beach where we stayed one night and then left our hire car for a few days whilst we hopped over to Hamilton Island. It was all so beautiful and I can’t wait to return. Hope you are having a good weekend. Marion
LikeLike
How fabulous, Marion. I haven’t made it as far a Hamilton, yet. Hope everything’s going okay over there. I hear they’ve eased up on the restrictions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous scenery. I too love sunshine and heat. Isn’t it great to be able to travel again?
LikeLike
Unbelievable, Darlene. Didn’t think it was going to happen for a while there.
LikeLike
If ever you feel like you’re in beachcomber mode, check out Cape Gloucester Resort about a half hour north of Dingo Beach. We stumbled across it a few years back and it looks like something out of a novel, miles from anywhere too.
LikeLike
Sounds fantastic. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coral that family holiday looked amazing and your post has made it a go to destination. Thanks and big hugs Nadine love your posts
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Nar. I still can’t believe I actually crossed the border into another state. I hope you’re well at the moment and everything’s going well for you. xx
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures. I visited Airlie Beach a long time ago, after university. Thanks for the lovely return visit 😊 Maggie
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Maggie. So pleased I could bring those memories back for you.
LikeLike
Heaven on a stick!
LikeLike
Perfect description, Mel. Heaven on a stick!
LikeLike
Browsing through this on a very chilly Melbourne day makes Airlie Beach look very enticing (sans crocodiles) Great photos as well!
LikeLike
Thanks a lot, Suzanne. It was divine.
LikeLike
Looks beautiful Coral. I went to Airlie Beach over thirty years ago, I was with a group of six girls and we used to get a different boat everyday to one of the islands
Such great memories
LikeLike
That would have been so good, Alison, doing that with your mates. More members of my family headed up there yesterday. So jealous. It’s freezing in Melbourne at the moment.
LikeLike
My son lives in Melbourne and he told me it’s freezing
We are in Malaysia for two weeks soaking up some sun
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a quaint place. Thanks for introducing!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for reading. Cheers, Coral.
LikeLike
Looks stunning. I wouldn’t be happy about the crocodiles, though…don’t get many of those in the Yorkshire Dales.
LikeLike
Yes, I noticed that. I drove around the Dales in 2011 and didn’t see one crocodile.
LikeLike
I have vague memories of being in Airlie Beach for Christmas, 1988. It was quite a different experience from Christmas in the northern hemisphere – what with Santa Claus wearing shorts and spending a warm afternoon at a BBQ. We subsequently went diving off the islands from a sailboat. With as much beer as the skipper was chugging while under sail I was sure we’d end up holed on a reef, but somehow we survived.
LikeLike
Ha ha. Yep, Dave, that’s Xmas in Australia. Sounds like you put a bit away yourself, what with your memories only being vague.
LikeLiked by 1 person