This stunning town has emerged from the shadows of its showstopper neighbour the Great Barrier Reef.
Byron Bay may get the headlines,but there’s a lot more beach towns out there with far less traffic,and much lower prices.
"COVID might be the best thing that ever happened to Airlie Beach,"says one local.
Many towns like to describe themselves as"the gateway to"a place more spectacular,but Airlie Beach really is the gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
This is genuinely one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
This newly renovated hotel has spacious rooms,an inviting pool,great atmosphere,plus unparalleled views of the Whitsunday coast.
It's rated the best beach in Australia and the fifth best in the world,but scientists can't explain it.
With summer just around the corner,Ute Junker leaves no grain of sand unturned in her guide to the best beach towns on Australia's east coast.
At the northern end of Airlie Beach,Mirage Whitsundays offers commanding views of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.
If you're looking for a place in Australia to pop the question,it's hard to go past here.