airlie beach is renowned for the amount of things there are to do rather than see but its location as a gateway to the whitsundays ensures that there's plenty of both on offer. among the most popular attractions in the area are the numerous cruises which leave from shute harbour and the abel point marina. ranging from anything from half day to three days in duration, these cruises sail around the whitsundays and the outer great barrier reef and are fun filled adventures where you can snorkel, scuba dive, parasail and boom net as well as enjoy the sheer luxury of sailing on board the many wonderful vessels you will have to choose from.
in fact, airlie beach is regarded as the location where many famous racing yachts are taken to for their retirement and there are over seventy of these vessels which depart for overnight trips and over thirty for one day trips. with so many different cruises on offer, however, it is well worth taking the time to shop around as prices vary immensely. ask in your hostel for the best offers and they should be able to point you in the right direction.
the wildlife parks in the surrounding area are also extremely popular and many companies offer horseriding trips and walking tours through the nearby rainforest. for the lazier among you there are also several jeep safaris on offer. this is an excellent way to meet the local fauna face to face as you will get to see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and so much more roam freely in the various parks.
for the adrenaline junkies among you, it may interest you to know that australia's highest bungy jump is also to be found in airlie beach. and as well as this, you can skydive, stunt fly or parachute over the islands offering the most breathtaking views you will ever see.
finally, be sure to check out the local markets, the majority of which are open on saturdays. don?t expect anything too amazing, but for cheap gifts and souvenirs, you?ve certainly got your pick.
