Discovering the beautiful Whitsunday coast and its hinterland can easily be an enjoyable Whitsunday holiday in its own right... awash with colour and sunshine the township of Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday holiday region is the coastal hub of the Whitsundays and bustles with an energy all its own.

Here a heady mix of entrepreneurs, backpackers, artists and sailors as well as business people and resort staff rub shoulders with and welcome visitors from all parts of the world... honeymooners, budget travelers, jet setting celebrities and Aussie workers... people from all walks of life are drawn to Airlie Beach and its charm, and fall in love with the laid back village atmosphere of the town... for others it's the sheer beauty of the setting as Airlie nestles among rainforest ridges and bays filled with flotillas of floating yachts.

Airlie Beach undergoes a transformation after dark and revels in its reputation as a place for nightlife and socialising... for many in Airlie Beach this is the major attraction... Alfresco restaurants night clubs boardwalks and bars all come alive and hum into the early hours.

The business district is centralized in central Airlie with a gradual spread into adjoining Cannonvale... today's Whitsundays township presents a wide range of shopping opportunities and services... gift stores share pavements with stylish hair salons fashion boutiques dive shops and restaurants... there's something for everyone.

The Airlie Beach swimming lagoon situated on the foreshore is beautifully landscaped with sandy beaches for sunbathing, gardens, shade pavilions and barbecue areas... this multi million dollar facility has become a fun focal point for the community and visitors... with swimmers enjoying year round access to clean clear waters just a stroll from the main street... on Saturdays the Airlie Beach beachfront market offers fresh produce, exotic fruits and flowers as well as delightful handmade crafts.

Making Airlie Beach your Whitsundays base you'll find a wide range of Airlie Beach accommodation... whether it be an exclusive waterfront hotel, boutique resort, secluded lodge, bed and breakfast, budget hotel, luxury apartment, or caravan park you'll find what you need.

After your stay in Airlie Beach visit one of the Whitsunday holiday resorts on the islands... the Whitsundays is the largest offshore island chain on Australia's coastline, accessed from the Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour... with 10 resorts on 8 islands you can expect to find a holiday resort to your liking... enjoy the experience of lying on a beach lapped by perfect turquoise tropical seas, exquisite tropical sunsets, good food and drink... and whether its eco style, family friendly or all inclusive, activity based, food and wine focused or pure luxury, there will be a holiday resort for you.

Most of the island resorts in the Whitsundays provide accommodation facilities that cater for families as well as couples. Dedicated kids clubs offer a range of safe and fun organized activities and equipment. Children are looked after under the watchful eye of child care professionals to ensure that parents as well as children get the most out of their Whitsunday holiday... Resorts with kids clubs include Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Daydream Island, Club Med Lindeman Island, South Molle and Long Island resort.

The magic of the Whitsunday coast doesn't end with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Airlie Beach. Take a scenic drive to Shute Harbour a busy port and one of the most scenic residential suburbs in Australia.

A self drive tour inland from the coast takes you through sugarcane fields, cattle country and lush green valleys to the other side of Conway National Park. Here you'll find tranquil Cedar Creek Falls a thundering torrent after heavy rains. On the Whitsunday coast the hamlets of Conway and Wilsons Beach offer superb fishing spots with access to rivers and wetland eco-tours.

Further inland is Proserpine a busy Queensland sugar town with a strong sense of history. This is reflected in its buildings which are dominated by the regions sugar mill.

South of Airlie Beach is Laguna Whitsundays Resort home to one of the best resort golf courses in Australia. A superb day trip or extended holiday in itself. Laguna also features a beach club lagoon and marina with fine resort golf course accommodation.