Airlie Beach Things to Do

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AIRLIE BEACH
The big VT meet here was such a great time for everyone . There were so many different fun activities and the day out sailing the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach was certainly a highlight.
A small bus was organised after breakfast for the VT group to be transfered to the boat Marina . Here there was a short wait to board and getting tickets sorted as we were a large group and not the only group boarding.
The Marina was quite large with a wonderful selection of power boats and an impressive array of sailing yachts of all sizes and types from sloops to large sailing schooners..I must say that this is definately the way to spend some time in the Whitsunday islands.. But, for most people like myself that don't have their own boat or access to a friends yacht .. SO, we all took the next best option and went as a group charter for the day..
First sight of our yacht for the day "Camira" was a pleasant one.Having worked in a boat Marina for a long period in my life my expectations were certainly met..Camira was a very large (purple) Catamaran with an abundance of room for all aboard. The day was a very pleasant temperature and the seas moderate with mild winds as we pulled away from the Marina and ready for a great relaxing day out sailing.
The stop at Whitehaven Beach was another highlight where we all went ashore and took in the ambience of this wonderful tropical location..The beach is one of the top ten beaches in the world and certainly easy to see why. Various games and water fun was enjoyed before re boarding Camira and a pleasant sail back to Airlie Beach.. The food and drinks on board were well done and to I beleive everyones satisfaction a good day was had by all on this day out.

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AIRLIE BEACH
I must say the big Queensland VT meet for me was an absolute "buzz"..All so many great people..putting names to faces at the get togeather welcome BBQ at the Hotel in Airlie Beach and all the different evening dinners with so many different activities .But I think the best activity was the day out and boat ride to "Hook Reef". This fantastic huge floating pontoon is really something..Sitting above the reef the Pontoon has all the diving equipment and snorkelling equipment needed for a wonderful day in this magnificent setting. There are change rooms for all guests along with a top deck for relaxing after a hard day snorkelling!!! There is a glass bottom boat also that meanders over the reef enabling guests to view coral formations along with the various and numerous types of fish..The safety factor I noticed was first class with many lifeguards keeping their eyes on all swimmers in the water. The snorkelling and diving area was well controlled.With a total weight of 350 Tonnes this pontoon has a capacity to handle over 300 people.

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SCHUTE HARBOUR
It was with great reluctance that we left Airlie Beach after our big VT meet there. There was great anticipation though about our next destination that we all looked forward to immensely. . A small group of us had a pre planned booking for a stay on Hamilton Island..Thanks Aussie Rose for this great decision.! The trip to Hamilton Island was by ferry from Schute Harbour. A really pleasant ferry ride that goes directly to Hamilton Island and we had "walk up start" tickets with no need to book. Suffice to say that our stay on Hamilton island was a most enjoyable one .The hotel accomodation was more than I expected . My fellow VTer's were also the most wonderful company. We had a rented golf buggies and this enabled us to look allover and travel about the Island..there is no traffic on the Island only emergency vehicles.Most of us booked one way ferry tickets as we were leaving Hamilton Island by plane to various destinations.
THE WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS ARE PART OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF ...THIS IS A UNESCO SIGHT

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AIRLIE BEACH
I beleive to be in Airlie Beach and not visit the famous Whitehaven Beach is really missing something..Reputed to be in the top ten Beaches in the world this beach is really something to see and enjoy..when sailing out to Whitehaven and its first sight , one is firstly taken by the length of the beach...so long..must be a mile or more..The sands are so white and fine unlike any other beach that I had been on..Only a few people on this long beach also...The water is just so clear and when I jumped out of the small "tender" from the yacht the water being so clear gave me a false sense of the depth and when I jumped in found it much deeper than anticipated..
This of course was the venue for a day out on the big VT meet from Airlie Beach..what a wonderful day out for all the VT'ers that attended the sail and beach experience..Once ashore ..a good game of cricket and some fun games in the sand along with a long time in the water..This is a "must do" a visit to Whitehaven Beach. in the Whitsunday Islands.

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Here in Airlie Beach by the lagoon you will find a lovely barbeque where you , and /or , friends and family can have an outdoor barbeque..I must say that these areas put in place in holiday areas along many places in Australia are a wonderful idea ,,here in Queensland is no exception with the facilities always being spotlessly clean and free to use...I noticed when in Cairns that the local barbeques and surrounding areas were used constantly with local council cleaning the facilities and removing all rubbish late at night ..These are a great idea for locals and visitors alike ,that the world could learn from...just go to the butcher or supermarket get your sausages or steaks and you're set..ENJOY !!!
ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH GLASS ITEMS IN THESE AREAS AS BROKEN GLASS AND BAREFEET ARE A BAD COMBINATION

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While either visiting or holidaying in Airlie Beach and as the weather is usually pretty well perfect. make time to visit the Lagoon area for a swim..especially if you are a family with small kids..there is a lifeguard on duty also there are shallow areas for the little ones" The water temperatures are usually quite warm and the big bonus is there are no nasties in the water as this part of the world has some nasties in the water at different times of the year..There are shaded spots with grassed areas with many trees for that much needed shade...many places nearby sell refreshments..

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Whitehaven Beach is a boaters paradise or a "boaties" paradise as they say in OZ. . The Camira catamaran offers a Cruise Whitsundays boat to Knuckle Reef, where you can explore the reef from a glass bottom boat.

The 60-metre, 32-cabin MV Fantasea Ammarì offers 3 and 4 day trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands.
Cruises depart on Fridays and returns on Monday or Tuesday depending on the number of nights you choose.
Tariffs include accommodation and meals. All cabins are fully carpeted and have en-suite facilities. Cabins feature a wardrobe and safety box, flat screen TV, luggage storage and fridge.
Twin/Double Single
3 Nights $1,995 $2,993
4 Nights $2,460 $3,690