Airlie Beach – gateway to the Whitsundays – is a coastal town overlooking Pioneer Bay in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, and is located around 1100km (683mi) north of Brisbane and 620km (385mi) south of Cairns.
The most convenient route to Airlie Beach is by air to Proserpine Airport (PPP), also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, followed by bus or taxi to Airlie Beach.
The airport is located about 38km (24mi) south of Airlie Beach, around 40 minutes by shuttle bus and less by taxi. Whitsunday Transit operates a regular bus service from the airport.
There are no direct international flights to Proserpine Airport (PPP).
From international destinations this may require first flying into Brisbane Airport (BNE) – or Melbourne or Sydney – followed by a connecting flight to Proserpine Airport.
Alternatively, you can fly to Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), also known as Great Barrier Reef Airport, then hop on the ferry to Port of Airlie, which takes 1 hour 10 minutes, hourly.
By train, the nearby town of Proserpine, about 26km (16mi) from Airlie Beach, is on the main railway line between Brisbane and Cairns, with a frequent service provided by the Spirit of Queensland.
By bus, Greyhound and Premier coaches stop at Airlie Beach on their journey between Brisbane and Cairns.
The following are the most convenient daily direct flights to Proserpine Airport (PPP).
Within Australia: Proserpine Airport (PPP) receives direct flights from Brisbane (Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia), Sydney (Tigerair Australia, Jetstar Airways) and Melbourne (Jetstar Airways).
Brisbane to Proserpine is 1 hr 45 min, direct flight
Sydney to Proserpine is 2 hr 30 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Proserpine is 2 hrs 55 min, direct flight
The following are the most convenient flights to Hamilton Island Airport (HTI).
Within Australia: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar operate daily nonstop flights to Hamilton Island Airport (HTI).
Brisbane to Hamilton Island is 1 hr 45 min, direct flight
Cairns to Hamilton Island is 1 hr 10 min, direct flight
Sydney to Hamilton Island is 2 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Hamilton Island is 3 hrs, direct flight
The following are the most convenient flights to Brisbane Airport (BNE) – the closest international airport to Airlie Beach with direct flights to Proserpine Airport (PPP).
Within Australia: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar operate daily nonstop flights to Brisbane.
Adelaide to Brisbane is 2 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Canberra to Brisbane is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
Darwin to Brisbane is 3 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Sydney to Brisbane is 1 hr 30 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Brisbane is 2 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Perth to Brisbane is 4 hrs 20 min, direct flight
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily flights to Brisbane.
Auckland to Brisbane is 3 hrs 50 min, direct flight
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas operate the most convenient daily flights to Brisbane.
Singapore to Brisbane is 7 hrs 20 min, direct flight
From China: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer the most convenient flights to Brisbane.
Shanghai to Brisbane is 10 hrs, direct flight
Hong Kong to Brisbane is 8 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Beijing to Brisbane is 13 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Brisbane.
Los Angeles to Brisbane is 13 hrs 45 min, direct flight
Atlanta to Brisbane is 19 hrs 40 min, with connecting flightˆ
Boston to Brisbane is 21 hrs, with connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Brisbane is 19 hrs 22 min, with connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Brisbane is 18 hrs 12 min, with connecting flightˆ
New York to Brisbane is 20 hrs 50 min, with connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Brisbane is 16 hrs 20 min, with connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Brisbane.
Vancouver to Brisbane is 14 hrs 40 min, direct flight
Toronto to Brisbane is 20 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Brisbane is 21 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
From United Kingdom: Emirates, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas offer the most convenient daily flights to Brisbane.
London to Brisbane is 21 hrs 30 min, with connecting flightˆ
Manchester to Brisbane is 22 hrs 50 min, with connecting flightˆ
From France: Emirates, Air France, Etihad, Singapore Airlines and Qantas offer the most convenient daily flights to Brisbane.
Paris to Brisbane is 22 hrs 45 min, with connecting flightˆ
From Germany: Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, Lufthansa and Scoot Tigerair offer the most convenient flights to Brisbane.
Berlin to Brisbane is 22 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Dusseldorf to Brisbane is 20 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Frankfurt to Brisbane is 21 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Brisbane is 22 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Munich to Brisbane is 21 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes layover time.)
Proserpine Airport (PPP), also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, is located about 38km (24mi) south of Airlie Beach, around 40 minutes by car or shuttle bus. Taxis are also available.
Whitsunday Transit operates a regular bus service from the airport to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Hire cars are also available along Shute Harbour Road.
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is located about 12km (7.4mi) northeast of the city centre. The Brisbane Airtrain provides a rail service from the airport to Brisbane city centre, taking 17 minutes, every 30 minutes. Taxis and hire cars are also available from both the international and domestic terminals.
UK, USA and Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for intended period of stay. A visa is required, except for those with Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category Visa on arrival.
Apart from walking, local buses, taxis and various tour companies. There's also a ferry service to Hamilton Island.
Latest update: How to get to Airlie Beach: 14 May, 2022
Advertising