Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in the town's south. It's open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sun-
days and public holidays (except Christmas) from 8:30am to 1:30pm.
If you're staying in Airlie Beach, it's easier to pick up information from the
private booking agents lining the main street, which all stock a vast range of
cruise, tour, and hotel information, and which make bookings free of charge.
They all have pretty much the same stuff; but because some manifest certain
boats exclusively, and prices can vary a little from one to the next, shop around.
GETTING AROUND Island ferries and Great Barrier Reef cruises leave from
Shute Harbour, a 10-minute drive south of Airlie Beach on Shute Harbour
Road. Most other tour-boat operators and bareboat charters anchor at Abel
Point Marina, a 15-minute walk west from Airlie Beach.
Avis ( & 07/4946 6318 ), Hertz ( & 07/4946 4687 ), and Thrifty ( & 07/
4946 7727 ) have outlets in Airlie Beach and Proserpine Airport (telephone
numbers serve both locations). Budget has no Whitsundays office.
Local bus company Whitsunday Transit ( & 07/4946 1800 ) runs a half-
hourly service between Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour to meet all ferries. The
fare is A$7.80 (US$5.05).
Most tour-boat operators pick up guests free from Airlie Beach hotels and call
at some or all island resorts.
Whitsunday All Over ( & 07/4946 6900 ), Whitsunday Island Adventure
Cruises ( & 07/4946 5255 for the booking agent), and Fantasea Cruises
( & 1800/650 851 in Australia, or 07/4946 5111) make ferry transfers from
Shute Harbour to the islands and between the islands. One-way transfers from
the mainland cost A$18 (US$12) to South Molle Island, and A$29 (US$19)
from Hamilton Island. Children 4 to 14 pay around half price. It is not neces-
sary to book, but do book your arrival and departure ferry so that you don't miss
your connections. Most islands receive a boat only every 2 to 4 hours, some only
once or twice a day, so it's a long wait if you miss your boat.
CHOOSING A WHITSUNDAY BASE
The advantages of staying on the mainland are cheaper accommodations, a choice
of restaurants, and freedom to visit a different island each day. There is jet-skiing,
kayaking, parasailing, catamaran rental, and windsurfing on the mainland.
The main advantage of staying on an island is that swimming, snorkeling,
bushwalking, and a huge range of watersports, many of them free, are right out-
side your door. The deadly stingers that can infest Airlie's shores do not make it
to the islands, so swimming in the islands is safe year-round. You won't be iso-
lated if you stay on an island, as most Great Barrier Reef cruise boats, “sail and
snorkel” yacht excursions, Whitehaven Beach cruises, dive boats, fishing tour
vessels, and so on stop at the island resorts every day or on a frequent basis. Be
warned, however, that once you're “captive” on an island, you may be slugged
Safety Tips
Although they have not been sighted at Airlie Beach for several years,
deadly marine stingers may inhabit the shorelines October through April.
The best place to swim then is in the beachfront Airlie Beach lagoon.
The rivers in these parts are home to dangerous saltwater crocodiles
(which mostly live in fresh water, contrary to their name), so no swimming
in streams, rivers, and water holes.
Tips
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