A guide to the best Airlie Beach accommodation

Chloe Cann Chloe Cann
hero media
Airlie Beach accommodation for every budget: from swish hotels and resorts to well-kept family-friendly camping grounds and caravan parks, these top five picks will cover most bases.

It may be a small coastal town, but this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef has a surprising array of accommodation to offer. Choose from these Airlie Beach hotels, resorts, and caravan parks, each with their own unique selling points.

Discovery Parks Airlie Beach

Just a few sleepy steps away from Conway National Park, one of the best things to do and explore in Airlie Beach, sits Discovery Parks Airlie Beach. Serving as an ultra-convenient launch pad for day trips out to The Whitsundays, including Hamilton Island, and the Great Barrier Reef, the Airlie Beach accommodation offers unpowered and powered camping sites, plus cabins and thatched-roof villas that sleep up to six. If a day of nothing’s on the agenda, check out the swimming pool, outdoor spa, waterpark and abundance of local wildlife, including kangaroos, who call this place home.

The waterpark at Discovery Parks Airlie Beach
The waterpark at Discovery Parks Airlie Beach is a hit with kids.

Pinnacles Resort

If the prospect of sweeping Airlie Beach views piques your interest then check into Pinnacles Resort. Located at the top of Golden Orchid Drive, it promises panoramic Coral Sea views, both from your apartment’s balcony and the scene-stealing rooftop infinity pool. The only catch is, it lies at the top of a sizable hill, so you’ll need to either be fit enough to face the walk back up, or thinking about hiring a car (or taking taxis). Choose from a one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment; each comes with either a balcony jacuzzi or an internal spa tub, as well a laundry and a fully equipped kitchen.

Pinnacles Resort Airlie Beach
Airlie or Amalfi?

Peninsula Airlie Beach

The upscale apartments at Peninsula Airlie Beach occupy a plum spot right on the Abell Point Marina, offering plenty of seclusion even though they’re just a short 15-minute walk from the thick of it all. Each of the spotless one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments features a sizable balcony with spectacular sea and marina views and lashings of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors. The property also has a small outdoor pool.

Peninsula Airlie Beach
Peninsula Airlie Beach occupies a plum spot right on the Abell Point Marina.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Island Gateway Holiday Park

Just a 20-minute walk from town, Island Gateway is your best bet if you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday park that’s conveniently situated on the fringes of Airlie Beach. But the property has more to offer beyond location. Guests love the friendly staff, the coffee van that arrives on site first thing in the morning and the food trucks that appear by night, plus the plentiful resort amenities (from a resort pool to barbecue areas, laundry facilities, a children’s playground, and a kiosk/shop). There’s even a daily bird feeding session each afternoon, where you can get closer to the local rainbow lorikeets and whistling ducks.

 

And when it comes to lodgings, there’s plenty of choice too: dial up the privacy a notch with one of the park’s villas or cabins, book one of the modest motel rooms, pitch up with your own tent or RV, or mix it up a little with one of the site’s permanent canvas tents. The holiday park also has pet-friendly and pet-free areas too.

Island Gateway is your best bet for families.

Coral Sea Marina Resort

The jewel in the crown of this dreamy seafront resort is arguably its 25-metre outdoor pool, surrounded by sun loungers and parasols and framed by manicured lawns, and picture-postcard palm trees. There’s even an adult swing overlooking the water. Sink into one of the pool’s striped floaties and soak up the scenes.

The jewel in the 25-metre outdoor pool crown.

Throughout 2019 and 2020, the hotel underwent a series of renovations, giving it a more contemporary spin, and bright and breezy feel to the public spaces; a day spa was also added to the resort’s laundry list of facilities. All of Coral Sea Marina Resort’s rooms and suites have the same whitewashed interior and dashes of colour, and many feature ocean views. If a boutique-style room is at the top of your holiday agenda then book a king room with balcony, which is the room category to most recently undergo a fresh lick of paint and a more modern revamp. The property is right in the centre of the action too, just steps from the coastal town’s many bars and restaurants.

Coral Sea Marina Resort.
Prime real estate at Coral Sea Marina Resort.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort

Home to a twice weekly tots playgroup, a swimming pool, an inflatable ninja challenge course, a playground, and a jumping pillow, this BIG4 Airlie Beach park wins rave reviews from families with young kids. There’s a seasonal program of activities, such as campfire nights come winter, and live music come summer too.

BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort outdoor movie cinema.

Sitting pretty on some three hectares of tropical rainforest within the Conway National Park, the eco resort’s grounds promise a leafy, relaxed getaway that’s still only a five-minute drive from town. The resort staff are known to keep the grounds and facilities spick and span, and are often singled out for their friendliness. And whatever your budget (and needs) there’s accommodation to suit: plump for a two-bedroom apartment, an eco lodge or a villa, all of which have air-con and kitchen facilities, or bring your own tent or campervan.

Find more great travel tips and itineraries in our Ultimate guide to Airlie Beach holidays.

 

 

 

Chloe Cann
Chloe Cann is an award-winning freelance travel and food writer, born in England, based in Melbourne and Roman by adoption. Since honing her skills at City St George's, University of London with a master's degree in journalism, she's been writing almost exclusively about travel for more than a decade, and has worked in-house at newspapers and travel magazines in London, Phnom Penh, Sydney and Melbourne. Through a mixture of work and pleasure, she's been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries to date, though there are many more that she is itching to reach. While the strength of a region's food scene tends to dictate the location of her next trip, she can be equally swayed by the promise of interesting landscapes and offbeat experiences. And with a small person now in tow, travel looks a little different these days, but it remains at the front of her mind.
View profile and articles
the glamping tent at Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach

The best places to camp in Airlie Beach

Sleep in camping sites set in hectares of tropical gardens within walking distance of town in caravan parks which offer the most cost-effective way to stay in Airlie Beach.

Read more
hero media

Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Continue
    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.