8 AMAZING Airlie Beach Day Trips (That Aren’t Sailing the Whitsundays)

Last Updated on June 20, 2025 by Oliver

If you ask literally anyone what to do in Airlie Beach, they’ll probably say “Sail the Whitsundays!” And yeah, fair. Sailing around those islands is the main event. But Airlie isn’t just a boat launch pad, and let’s be real, you can only spend so long bobbing around on a catamaran before you need dry land, snacks, and maybe a waterfall or two.

That’s why I’ve put together this list! Airlie’s backyard is just as wild and wonderful as the Whitsundays themselves. Think rainforest hikes, sleepy coastal towns, freshwater swimming holes, and even kangaroos hanging out on the beach at sunrise. 

Whether you’re road-tripping, adventuring, or just have an extra day or two, these are the best Airlie Beach day trips to add to your itinerary.

Best Airlie Beach Day Trips – My Experience

Airlie Beach is honestly one of my favorite towns on the East Coast. As soon as you drive over that hill and see the town open up with gorgeous marina views, sparkling water, mega yachts dotting the coastline. It’s instant holiday mode.

We had a 2-day, 2-night Whitsundays sailing trip booked and left ourselves a bit of time before and after to check out Airlie. I’d only really researched the islands, so I wasn’t expecting much else. But wow, I was not ready for how much there actually is to do around town.

We started off with a morning hike to Honeyeater Lookout, which was such a good call. The views over Airlie and the islands got us so hyped for the trip. And on our last day, we got up at an unreasonable early hour to go see the kangaroos at the beach, about 1.5 hours away. That one was a must for us because we’d missed the roos at Lucky Bay in Esperance and had full FOMO.

We didn’t have heaps of time since we were on a fast-paced 2-week road trip, but we left feeling like we barely scratched the surface. So I’ve pulled together this list of the best day trips from Airlie Beach, to help you plan ahead and make sure you have all the information you need to plan your time in town. 

8 Day Trips in Airlie Beach You Don’t Want to Miss

Airlie Beach has way more going on than most people expect. Once you’ve done the sailing thing (or even if you haven’t), these easy day trips are such a good way to see more of the area. Some were total surprises for us, and honestly ended up being major highlights of our trip.

1. Swim Under a Waterfall at Cedar Creek Falls

Distance from Airlie Beach – 30 KM
Drive Time – 30 Minutes 
Google Map Location – Cedar Creek QLD 4800, Australia
Book Full Day Tour with a Stop at Cedar Creek Here

Cedar Creek Falls was one of the first places we went after getting to Airlie, and it was such a great way to start the trip. It’s only about 30 minutes from town, and the drive’s easy. When we went in August the waterfall wasn’t actually flowing because of dry season. During rainy season it’s full and looks absolutely gorgeous. But even without the running water it felt like this little jungle escape. 

There’s a swimming hole, a rope swing, and big flat rocks to lay out on if you just want to chill. Bring some snacks, and maybe stop at Whitsunday Gold Coffee on the way back, it’s just a little bit out of the way but it’s a super cute stop with alpacas, parrots, and really good coffee.

2. Chill at the Beach in Hydeaway Bay, Dingo Beach & Cape Gloucester

Distance from Airlie Beach – 65 KM
Drive Time – Around 1 Hour
Google Map Location – Hydeaway Bay QLD 4800, Australia

Cape Gloucester is just North of Airlie Beach and is a hidden peninsula with some amazing beaches. We did a little half-day trip out here and honestly didn’t want to leave. The drive’s straightforward, and the beaches are super quiet. You might even have them totally to yourself. 

We started off at Dingo Beach, which is perfect for a swim with calm water, barely any people, and super laid-back. From there, we cruised over to Hydeaway Bay, where the beaches are long, quiet, and basically untouched. We grabbed lunch at the Dingo Beach Hotel, right on the water, and it had such a good vibe. If you’re not in a rush, it’s also a solid spot to stay overnight.

3. Hike to Honeyeater Lookout

Distance from Airlie Beach – Trail starts right in town
Hike Time – 2.5 to 3 Hours Return
Google Map Location –Kara Crescent, Airlie Beach QLD 4802

Honeyeater Lookout is hands down one of the best things to do in Airlie that’s not sailing. Located in the Conway National Park, the trail starts right in town, so you don’t need to drive anywhere, just lace up your shoes and go. It’s about 8 km return. Keep in mind it’s a solid incline for about ½ to ⅔ the way up (your legs will feel it), but the view at the top makes it all worth it.

You get this insane panoramic shot of Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands, it’s the kind of view that makes you forget you were just dying 10 minutes ago. We did it early in the morning and had the lookout completely to ourselves. But you can also do it in the late afternoon. Bring water, snacks, and a hat as it gets hot, even in winter.

4. Sunrise with Kangaroos at Cape Hillsborough

Distance from Airlie Beach – 125 KM
Drive Time – Around 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Google Map Location – Casuarina Beach
Book Tour Here

We actually stopped at Cape Hillsborough on our drive up from Mackay the morning of our sailing trip, but if you’re based in Airlie, it’s a really solid day trip too. You just need to be okay with an early start. Like… very early.

At sunrise, kangaroos and wallabies come down onto Casuarina Beach to feed, and it’s honestly magical. The beach is stunning on its own, but seeing the roos with the sun coming up behind them just hits different. Make sure to arrive about 20–30 minutes before sunrise to catch the full moment. 

Since you’ve already driven all that way, it’s worth sticking around a bit after sunrise. There are a few short walking trails in Cape Hillsborough National Park with coastal views, rock formations, and rainforest vibes. Nothing too intense, but a nice way to stretch your legs before heading back to Airlie.

5. Explore the Beaches and Lookouts in Bowen

Distance from Airlie Beach – 80 KM
Drive Time – Around 1 Hour
Google Map Location – Horseshow Bay Bowen QLD 4805, Australia

Bowen doesn’t get as much attention as it should, but it ended up being one of our favorite little side trips. We stopped here on our way out of town towards Townsville, it’s a bit out of the way, but it was a fun detour for us. We pulled over to check out the Big Mango, which is literally just a massive mango sculpture on the side of the road. Super random, but kind of iconic if you’re road tripping the East Coast.

The beaches here are super underrated, especially Horseshoe Bay. It’s great for swimming, and there’s a short walking trail that takes you up to a lookout with views over the bay. We also drove up to the Rotary Lookout for a full view of the coastline, and it was absolutely worth it.

The town itself is really relaxed, and we grabbed fish and chips before hitting the road. If you’ve got more time, Bowen’s also a great overnight stop, the inner reef sits just off the beach, so it’s an easy spot for snorkeling without needing to book a tour.

6. Spot Crocs on the Whitsundays River Safari

Distance from Airlie Beach – 28 KM
Drive Time – Around 30 Minutes
Google Map Location – Glen Isla Rd, Glen Isla QLD 4800
Book Tour Here

We didn’t end up doing this one ourselves since we were heading up to Cairns and already had a croc tour booked in the Daintree but I’ve heard great things about the Proserpine River Crocodile Safari. If you’re not going further north, this is a great way to see crocs in the wild (not a zoo).

The tour takes you out on the river where saltwater crocs hang out in their natural habitat, plus there’s usually a bit of mud crab tasting and a classic bush-style BBQ thrown in. It’s super popular with families and anyone keen for a bit of Aussie wildlife without having to hike into the jungle.

7. Snorkel the Outer Reef: Hardy Reef or Bait Reef

Distance from Airlie Beach – Boat departs from Port of Airlie or Shute Harbour
Tour Time – Full-day trip (usually 8–10 hours)
Book Tour Here

If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef while you’re in Airlie, this is the trip to do. The outer reef is where the good stuff lives, clear water, colorful coral, reef sharks, turtles, and sometimes even manta rays. Most tours head to Hardy Reef or Bait Reef, and both have solid snorkeling and diving.

If you’re doing a Whitsundays sailing trip, there’s a good chance you’ll snorkel in one of these spots as part of the itinerary. That’s what we did, so we didn’t end up booking a separate reef tour from land. But if you’re not sailing, this is a great way to tick off the reef without heading all the way to Cairns.

8. Paddle with Salty Dog Sea Kayaking

Distance from Airlie Beach – Tours depart from Shute Harbour
Tour Time – Half-day or full-day options
Google Map Location – Kayaking Base, Whitsunday Drive, Shute Harbour
Book Tour Here

This is such a fun thing to do in Airlie Beach, especially if you want to explore the Whitsundays from a different angle. The half-day tour is the most popular and a great way to get out on the water without committing to a full boat day. You’ll paddle around quiet bays, spot wildlife, and even pull up onto little secluded beaches you can’t get to any other way.

If you’re visiting between July and September, keep your eyes peeled, it’s whale season! Humpback whales pass through to give birth before heading back down to Antarctica, and there’s a chance you might spot them while you’re out on the water. How awesome would that be!

FAQ: Planning Your Airlie Beach Day Tours

What are the best things to do in Airlie Beach?

Some of the best things to do in Airlie Beach involve Whitsundays day tours, like sailing to South Whitehaven Beach, taking a 60 minute scenic flight over Heart Reef, ocean rafting or jumping on a sunset cruise. But some of our favorite experiences were on land. Hiking to Honeyeater Lookout, swimming at Cedar Creek Falls, spotting kangaroos at Cape Hillsborough, and cruising out to Bowen made the trip feel way more complete.

The Best Scenic Flight with Snorkeling in Airlie
Our Favorite Sunset Cruise

Are there day trips from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island?

Yep! You can catch a ferry from Airlie and spend the day exploring Hamilton Island. Hang at Catseye Beach, grab lunch by the marina, or just live your best poolside life at one of the island resorts.

What are the best day trips to the Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach?

Most tours hit South Whitehaven Beach, but some include Hill Inlet lookout, Hook Island, and even snorkeling around the fringing reef. This is one of our favorite Whitsunday day tours available. 

Best self-drive day trips from Airlie Beach?

Cedar Creek Falls, Hydeaway Bay, Cape Gloucester, Bowen, and Cape Hillsborough are all solid picks. They’re close enough for a day trip, but far enough to feel like an adventure, especially if you’ve got your own wheels.

Best time to visit Airlie Beach?

May to October is ideal time to visit Airlie Beach. Warm days, less rain, and no need to worry about marine stingers. If you’re visiting from November to April, you’ll need to wear a stinger suit when swimming or snorkeling. Not exactly a fashion statement, but definitely a must.

Final Thoughts on Airlie Beach Day Trips 

Airlie Beach might be known for sailing, but there’s so much more waiting just beyond the marina. Whether you’ve got a few days or just a few spare hours, these day trips are totally worth making time for. We already can’t wait to go back and do the ones we missed.

Check Out My Other East Coast Australia Guides

East Coast Australia Itinerary: My Ultimate 2 Week Itinerary on Australias East Coast

Cafes in Airlie Beach: My Top 6 Cafes in Airlie Beach

Best Time To Visit Whitsundays Islands: Month to Month Guide for the Whitsundays

Sailing the Whitsundays: My Sailing the Whitsundays Guide 2025

Airlie Beach Restaurants: My Top 8 Restaurants in Airlie Beach

Couples Getaway NSW: My Favorite Romantic Weekend Destinations

Holiday Homes Airlie Beach: 11 Amazing Holiday Homes in Airlie Beach

Whitehaven Beach Day Trips: My Top 5 Whitehaven Beach Day Trips

Airlie Beach Itinerary: My Perfect 3-5 Day Airlie Beach Itinerary

Where to Stay in Airlie Beach Australia: The Best Areas & Hotels in Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach Caravan Parks: The 5 Best Airlie Beach Caravan Parks

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