The complete backpacker guide to the Whitsundays

For a destination this postcard-perfect, you’d be forgiven for assuming it’s home to only luxury resorts and penthouses with infinity pools. And while this is certainly the place to indulge, Airlie Beach in particular has its fair share of budget-friendly accommodation and backpacker hostels.

Here are some great Airlie Beach hostels to check out:

Airlie Beach YHA

If you like to be right in the heart of all the action, Airlie Beach YHA is where you’ll want to hang your backpack. Walking distance from an oasis-like swimming lagoon, amazing night life and sugar-white sand beaches, it doesn’t get much more central than this. All rooms come with that all-important air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, while the private rooms have a balcony. Relax by the on-site pool, cook up a storm with your new mates in the communal kitchen or escape the heat in the lounge with a movie marathon.

Base Airlie Beach Resort

If a social atmosphere and stylish digs is your cup of tea, book a stay at Base Airlie Beach. There’s accommodation for every type of traveller, from dorm rooms and private suites to campervan parking for those road-tripping the coast. Make friends while making use of facilities like the swimming pool, hammocks, volleyballs courts and onsite bar/restaurant – and take advantage of the daily events held here like karaoke night, Sunday sessions, live DJs, competitions and more.

Magnums Backpackers

A tropical oasis right in the middle of Airlie Beach, Magnums is a short walk from the town’s pubs, nightclubs and eateries – and there’s a supermarket and bottle shop on your doorstep too. Magnums feels like a village in itself, with dorm rooms, private doubles and twins, and private cabins spread out among the gardens.

Making it even more budget-friendly, discounts are available when you stay three nights or longer and there’s a tour desk onsite to book your activities to get out exploring the islands.

Nomads Airlie Beach

You’ll be just steps from Airlie Beach’s public swimming lagoon when you stay at Nomads, where Melanesian-inspired accommodation comes at affordable backpacker prices. Choose from a dorm room, private dorm, family room or choose to pitch a tent or stay in your own van thanks to powered and unpowered sites, which allows you to make use of onsite amenities including showers, kitchens and laundry. The hostel runs free activities every day from beach trips to nature walks, while Sundays are famous for the pool parties and free sausage sizzles.

Tasman Holiday Parks Airlie Beach

Cruising in a camper van? Tasman Holiday Parks (formerly Island Gateway) is a no-brainer. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk down Shute Harbour Road to get into town from here, but the advantages of staying at a campground more than make up for it. There are powered and unpowered sites, villas, cabins and even camp-o-tels – tents that look like modern tee-pees, so you can have a camping experience without having to lug your own gear. Settle in and make use of the communal BBQs, tennis court, bike hire, camp kitchens, pool and more. This is a great option for those not seeking a high-octane party experience where they sleep. 

Unique places to sleep in The Whitsundays

Beachside backpackers are a quintessential part of travelling in Australia – but save a little cash for these epic experiences.

Fall asleep under the stars and wake up on the Great Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefsleep. By day, reef adventures are at your fingertips from the Hardy Reef pontoon base: snorkel, scuba dive, swim and check out the views from the underwater observatory. By night, you’ll dine with new friends from the top deck before tucking into your private swag – this is a serene sunrise you’ll want to wake early for, and one of the best Great Barrier Reef experiences in The Whitsundays.

Prefer to camp on land? How about pitching a tent on one of the Whitsundays’ most magical islands? South Molle Island, Hook Island and Whitsunday Island are among the many that offer camping – though be prepared for a wild, self-sufficient experience. Local operator Scamper offers equipment hire and transfers so you’ll have expert guidance and a way out to the islands. 

Eat & Drink

Airlie Beach and the greater Whitsundays region is home to incredible restaurants and cafes, and even budget options will light up your taste buds.  

By morning, pull up a seat with the locals at Treehouse, Fat Frog Café and Wisdom Café – the coffee is great and breakfast and snack menus are both affordable and filling. If you’re in town on a Saturday, the community markets are bustling with food, coffee and locally made souvenirs.

For cheap eats around town, devour the burgers at Little Vegas, stop in for rolls from Joa Sushi, or pick up fish and chips from Whitsunday Seafood Bar and take it across the road to the main beach for a picnic. KC’s Bar & Grill is a local institution slinging pub classics as well as a daily specials board, along with live music, while Mika’s also brings the live tunes alongside chicken wings, cocktail jugs, and Brazilian BBQ nights.

All roads when backpacking Airlie Beach lead to Boaty’s thanks to their DJs live music and happy hours – they offer a range of cheap eats too, like $4 Taco Tuesdays.

If you’re heading north to check out the local beaches like Grays Bay and Horseshoe Bay, calling into Bird’s Fish Bar is a must.

Really on a budget? Most hostels offer communal kitchens and cooking facilities to prep your own meals and save cash for activities. 

Play

Adventure is around every corner – and every island – in The Whitsundays. And while there are many free or cheap things to do here and epic day trips to take, backpackers should add a few of these experiences to their trip to really get a taste of Queensland’s paradise. 

Kayak-hop your way through the islands

Use your own paddle-power to explore the islands with Salty Dog Sea Kayaking – there are half day and full day tours and everything up to six-day kayak/camp expeditions where you’ll island hop and spend the night on remote spots throughout the archipelago.

Zip to the world’s best beach

Take a ride on the wild side and speed your way through the waters with Ocean Rafting. The half-day tours offer great bang for your buck, visiting iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and exploring Whitsunday Island National Park on foot. Choose the Northern Exposure tour if you want more time snorkeling, and Southern Lights if you want more time on the beach. Either way, you’ll never see as much in a half day tour as you will on these boats.

Want to set the pace yourself? Sign up for a jet ski safari and you’ll be blasting through the Whitsunday Island Marine Park, stopping to spot turtles, explore the waterways and islands en route. 

Take a sailing trip

The Whitsundays is one of the best places in the world to go sailing, and travellers come from all over to rent a yacht and go bareboating - no license required. But even backpackers and budget travellers can soak up a sailing experience. With so many tour operators in the region you can sign up for half day, full day, sunset and overnight adventures – and it’ll be the party of a lifetime.

True Blue Sailing, Tallship Adventures and Whitsundays Sailing are all top choices – but you can bet your hostel’s tour desk will connect you with fun, affordable adventures. Discover which sailboat is best for you here.

Go skydiving

Get a bird’s eye view of the islands while you freefall thousands of feet to the sand below: don’t miss the chance to go skydiving while you’re here, with options to jump over Airlie Beach or world-famous Whitehaven Beach.  

Go croc spotting

You don’t want to meet one of these guys by accident, but you can see crocs in their natural habitat with Whitsunday Crocodile Safari, cruising the Proserpine River. Take in the views of the estuaries and wetlands and enjoy a BBQ lunch, traditional Aussie billy tea and damper.

Cool off in a wild waterfall

The beauty of the Whitsundays isn’t only found on the islands. If you’re craving a little time on land, head out of Airlie Beach towards Proserpine and Conway National Park. Here you’ll find nature walks and Cedar Creek Falls hidden among the rainforest: BYO beach towel and make a day of it, hopping between the cool waters and rocky ledge to soak in the views.

Those keen to walk a little longer will enjoy the hiking trails throughout the national park – one of the best views is the 2km track to Honeyeater Lookout (and you can walk it from Airlie Beach. just head up Lamond Street and continue to the top of Kara Crescent).

Hit the town

The nightlife in Airlie Beach is hard to miss. There is one main street called Shute Harbor Road, and it’s a haven for backpackers looking to let go. Among the most popular haunts are Boaty’s, where entertainment ranges from Latin dance parties to live music; Mama Africa Bar and Nightclub where the dancefloor pumps into the wee hours; Boom is known for its house DJs and Thursday hospo nights; Beaches Bar & Grill gives local pub vibes; while the bar and club at Magnums always draws a crowd of revellers.

For a few more upmarket sips, make your way to the DJ Sunday sessions and poolside lounging at The Rocks at Coral Sea Resort (Pool Club passes required), or head to the rooftop at Paradiso for cocktails, tapas and live music. 

If the Airlie Beach lifestyle sounds like something that'd be right up your alley, get your Working Holidayer pass to Queensland and discove the ultimate work-life balance in paradise!