10 free things to do in Airlie Beach and The Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach might be the poster-child of The Whitsundays, but there are plenty of others that don’t need a seaplane, helicopter or private charter to discover.

Right in Airlie Beach you'll find soft sand and box-office Coral Sea views at Boathaven Beach to throw down your towel and take a dip. Prefer to get a little more active? Choose a beach walk along the Bicentennial Walking Track between Airlie Beach and Cannonvale. You’ll wind up at Cannonvale Beach – an excellent spot for beachcombing at low tide.

Further north, you'll find golden beaches in Hydeaway Bay and Bowen, along with plenty more secret beaches across the Whitsundays.

2. Sail the seas

Sailing need not be a million-dollar hobby (provided you don’t own the boat). If you’re looking for cheap (or even free) things to do in Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Sailing Club conducts Twilight Yacht Racing every Wednesday evening. For the cost of your deckhand skills, you’ll be voyaging the tropical high seas on board a yacht.

To get involved, just head down to the Whitsunday Sailing Club at 3pm on a Wednesday and offer your services. Novices are both welcome and encouraged.

3. Volunteer to clean up the Great Barrier Reef

The Whitsundays are pretty for a reason, and we can’t ignore the facilitators behind its pristine beauty – Eco Barge Clean Seas.

Join the eco-warriors in their hands-on conservation of this paradise, picking up marine debris on the beaches and coastlines of the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. Besides a free boat ride around this island wonderland, we guarantee you’ll come away feeling deeply rewarded.

4. Find a swimming hole

Nestled in a natural rock amphitheatre among the rainforest, Cedar Creek Falls is one of the most tranquil spots to take a dip. All you need is a pair of closed-in shoes and swimmers to make a day out of this natural water park.

5. Take a dip in the heart of town

When the midday sun hits, cool off at Airlie Beach Lagoon – a free public park and swimming pool. Claim a grassy knoll next to the lagoon and make the BBQ facilities your weekend kitchen. It’s a great spot to catch up with friends and soak in the atmosphere, right in the epicentre of Airlie.

6. Get to know Bowen

Bowen is a special place that few know about - but once you do, you'll come back again and again. About an hour north of Airlie Beach, call in at the Big Mango, then hightail it to Horseshoe Bay, one of the most spectacular, secluded spots to spend a day at the beach. Don’t forget to pack your snorkel and mask – there are a number of fringing reefs just offshore that are ripe for exploring.

7. Browse the markets

Head down to the Airlie Beach Markets every Saturday on The Esplanade - entry and browsing is free, but you'll want to bring a little cash to bag yourself a bargain from boutique and handcrafted goods to local food carts. 

8. Take a hike

The Whitsundays is full of natural beauty from every aspect, whether you’re staying on the mainland or the islands. Conway National Park packs a rainforest punch on the hills of Airlie Beach, so lace up your boots or jump on your bike to discover the green behind the aquamarine.

If you’re planning to hike, there are plenty of tracks from a short walk to suit beginners right through to a three-day, two-night overland adventure called the Conway Circuit.

Keep your eyes peeled for white-brown scrubwren, kookaburras, yellow-faced honeyeaters, ospreys, herons and egrets, some of the regular faces in this neck of the woods. You won’t need any help spotting the charismatic sulphur-crested cockatoos who create a racket at Airlie Beach.

9. Reel it in

Want to throw a line in? The Whitsundays happens to offer some of Queensland's best fishing - these sparkling waters are a hotbed of marlin, bass, mackerel and trout. The best place to cast off if you’re shore fishing is Shute Harbour, there’s a custom-made fishing pontoon ready and waiting.

10. Take the scenic route

Spend your day hopping between secluded coves and local beaches along the scenic Cape Gloucester drive. Keep your camera handy if you time your visit over winter: you’re bound to see humpback whales as they start their southern migration.