Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach, located in the northern region of Queensland, Australia, is a back packer's delight, being one of the worlds major tourist destinations. If you want a cheap holiday with either your best friend or with a bunch of your girlfriends, this is the place to go.

Airlie beach is home to the Whitsunday's offering the tourist one of the Seven Wonders of the World - The Great Barrier Reef. It offers an amazing variety of water sports, so your days are never boring. But not only does it offer the attraction of the access to the Reef, but also the town itself is renowned for being one huge party.

One great thing about Airlie beach is that due to the enormous influx of back packers, prices are more than reasonable. Food is cheap, accommodation is cheap, and use of water activities is cheap. This includes the trips out to the Great Barrier Reef, which covers anything from day trips, to five days out on catered boats where you can learn to scuba dive or if you prefer, to just snorkel, fish, or soak up the beautiful surroundings.


Because sailing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are such large industries in this area, on arrival, visit the local tourist information to help you plan your stay, and make bookings if necessary so that you don't miss out.

Airlie is the gateway to islands such as Hayman, Hamilton, Hook, Southmole, and Linderman, which are all just under 45 minutes away. So if you want a few days to experience life on an island resort, the islands are there. Each island will vary in price.

The famous Whitehaven Beach is also close by. Whitehaven Beach is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in the world but has the most whitest beach sand on the earth. So if you can, book a sea plane and go out and spend the day there, as flying is the only way to get there, and it's definitely worth the flight. You will also get the opportunity to witness the Whitsunday's from the sky, which is a magical experience.

If this is not your thing, you can lay about and soak up the sun during the day, and rest yourself for the nightlife. Dinner can range from extremely cheap to expensive, depending on the atmosphere you are looking for. The backpacker restaurants have a fantastic atmosphere, and you are bound to meet some interesting characters. People are pretty friendly, as many are overseas travellers who are eager to make friends. After dinner you have a range of pubs and clubs to choose from. Or you can just do what many partygoers do, and pub /club hop. It's a lot of fun, as these venues are all in the one street (and the main street in not long at all), so you don't have to walk far.

If you are up for a bit of a drive you can visit some of the other towns along the northern coast of Queensland. These include Cairns and Port Douglas. I did the drive with one of my girlfriends, and I must say it was one of the best 'girly trips' I've ever had, and was a laugh a minute. So if you're wondering where to go with your friends and you are up for a cheap, relaxing, partying kind of holiday; look into what Airlie Beach has to offer. You can have anything but an amazing time.

Louise Ganey