Airlie Beach Car Hire

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Although commonly perceived as merely a gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach is a splendid seaside retreat in its own right. Sandwiched between Mackay to the south and Townsville to the north, Airlie Beach offers everything from stunning shorelines to adventure sports, nature retreats, world-class cuisine and more.

Airlie Beach is a fun stop-off on an Australian road trip. Driving from Brisbane to Airlie Beach or vice versa is a beautiful coastal route. You can book a reliable car to rent at Airlie Beach with Enjoy Travel.

Guide to Airlie Beach

Weather in Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach enjoys a year-round subtropical climate that keeps things pleasantly warm at a steady at 32°C (90°F). Since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the winter months fall between June to October and the daily average temperature drops to 23°C (73°F), which is still quite warm compared to the rest of Australia. Summer spans from January to March, and the town tends to experience occasional cyclones during that time. However, the ocean will be at its warmest.

Things to do in Airlie Beach

Go sailing and diving

Airlie Beach lends itself to some excellent ocean sports, including sailing, snorkelling, jet skiing and diving. If you don't know how, don’t worry, because there are several sailing and diving schools and tour companies situated right on the beachfront. If you're looking for something more adrenaline-inducing, then you can tandem skydive with a professional over the Great Barrier Reef before landing on Airlie Beach. If you need a break from the beach and want to be surrounded by greenery for a change, then you're in luck because Conway National Park is situated right next to the town and offers an excellent Rainforest Discovery Tour and challenging self-guided hikes. As the sun starts to go down, hop on a cruise boat for a sunset voyage and chink champagne glasses as you admire the spectacular colours of the sky.

Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

And once you've seen most of Airlie Beach, book a dive trip or cruise tour to see the famous Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. Gaze in awe as you trickle the powder-like white sand through your fingers, and look up at the ocean which is an unbelievable shade of blue. Take a quick snap before hopping back on the boat to be taken to the snorkelling and dive sites. Lose yourself in the colourful world underwater for a couple of hours, before heading back to Airlie Beach with an appetite.

Eating out in Airlie Beach

Seafood and sea views

Seafood is definitely one of Airlie Beach's claims to fame. Head over to The Clipper Restaurant and Bar for freshly caught marine delicacies, and pair it with one of the 500+ rums and 800+ beers on the menu as you admire the picturesque vistas of the Coral Sea. Another solid option would be the Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill, which serves exquisite seafood yet also caters to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free diets.

Artisan coffee & brunch

If you're a coffee connoisseur, then you might get really excited at Mr. Bean, which sells a particular brew made with 0.02 micron filtered water and steeped for an entire day. Alternatively, try fair trade organic coffee Bohemian Raw Cafe paired with a raw tiramisu cake. The Fat Frog Cafe is also a popular coffee and brunch spot among the locals.

Transport in Airlie Beach

Transportation

Most people who arrive at Brisbane airport catch a connecting flight to Whitsunday Coast Airport and take a 40-minute shuttle bus to Airlie Beach. Most accommodations would arrange the shuttle transfer for you. Taxi is also an option and it would cost around AUD$100. Within the city, most people walk or cycle. However, Whitsunday Transit also offers bus services till about 10.30pm every day.

Driving in Airlie Beach

For those looking to have greater freedom to explore the surrounding areas such as Conway National Park, Hydeaway Beach, Bowen, and Cedar Creek Falls, then car hire can be arranged through our trusted partner, Enjoy Travel.

Got a Question? Chat with our support team

Our online chat is available 8:30am to 5:00pm weekdays. Email: [email protected]

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FAQs about car hire in Airlie Beach

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Airlie Beach

When booking your Airlie Beach car hire in advance with Enjoy Travel, it will cost you on average $45.98 AUD per day.
Airlie Beach car hire prices start at just $45.98 AUD when booking with Enjoy Travel.
The minimum age to hire a car in Airlie Beach is 21.
Yes, it is okay to add additional drivers to your car hire agreement in Airlie Beach, but you may be charged a daily fee.
The roads in Airlie Beach are suitable for all types of vehicles, so you can choose to drive either a compact car or a 4WD. If driving to other areas of the country, it might be best to hire a 4WD incase of rural roads.
The distance between Sydney and Airlie Beach is of 1,876 km.
The distance between Melbourne and Airlie Beach is of 1,233 km.
The distance between Perth and Airlie Beach is of 4,816 km.

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