Campervan Travel to Airlie Beach and Townsville

Its 150 kilometres from Mackay to Airlie Beach, a drive that only took us about two hours in our campervan. Its an exceptionally pleasant route, with green flat open fields merging into thick rainforest before winding up into the Cannonvale Hills just in front of Airlie. Its easy too, you just get onto the A1 at Mackay and head north to Proserpine. At Proserpine take the well-sign posted right turn to Airlie Beach, and before you know it you have arrived.
The town of Airlie is really not that much to look at, it is the beautiful surrounds that have made this such an important tourism fixture in Queensland. It is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, the world renowned collection of over 74 coral-fringed tropical islands, and most tourists base themselves here to undertake various tours through the islands. As a result it is a thriving little town of backpacker hostels, caravan parks, motels and hotels. It is angled towards creating a fun and electric atmosphere for travellers passing through, and the nightlife here is renowned all over the country. It can get a bit hectic for a family such as ourselves, but its still a fun place and there are some nice restaurants. We managed to get a spot for our campervan in the Island Gateway Holiday Park, which has a beautiful pool. Over the summer months it is impossible to swim in the waters here because of the irukandji jellyfish that plague the waters, so a pool is much needed. The other facilities here are excellent, and it is close to the town itself.
In town there is a large artificial lagoon that becomes a central socialising point during the day. It is a great place to relax, right next to the ocean with green grassy banks to suntan on, and barbeque facilities to make use of.
Our main reason for coming to Airlie was to go on a sailing daytrip around the Whitsundays. These can be expensive, and after shopping around we managed to get one for 500 dollars for the whole family. Every penny was worth it for this magical experience. Nothing can quite explain floating silently through the azure water alongside the island beaches, catching glimpses of ponderous turtles or large groups of flying fish. Most tours take you to Whitehaven Beach, one of the most special places in Australia and ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. Its white sands are said to be visible from space, so don't forget your sunnies!
You also sail past the larger tourist destinations such as Hamilton Island and Daydream Island, and all the smaller islands inbetween. The staff on the boat do a great job of getting everyone involved in the sailing, making it a fun day where you get to meet different people but also have lots of time to yourself. Cruising into Shute Harbour at sunset with a glass of champagne in hand is a special way to finish off the day, and was a fitting end to our visit to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.

Hamilton Island - Australia's largest Island resort, and one of its most popular, Hamilton is a self contained island community with restaurants, bars, a general store and even a domestic airport! There is something for all types of holiday makers here, and the scenery and views are simply incredible.

Hayman Island - This is where you go to really indulge. Fine dining, luxurious surrounds, a huge lagoon pool and neat tropical gardens epitomise holiday comfort. Its an upmarket experience.

Lindeman Island - This is home to Australia's only club med island resort. With over 670 ha of World Heritage National Park, bushwalking is a common pasttime, as is relaxing on the long stretches of sandy beach.

Long Island Resort - A secluded resort surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, Long Island has the advantage of having a reef within swimming distance that you can snorkel at your leisure. There are two swimming pools and a pristine beach to divide your time between.

Daydream Island - This is an easily accessible island that is popular for its wide range of recreational activities. There is a man made outdoor aqurium here, a rejuvenation spa and a wedding chapel!

South Molle Island - A popular option because of its sheltered waters and palm tree lined beach. Over 16 kilometres of trails take you all over Mt. Jeffreys and to secluded bays and beaches. There is also a nine hole gofl course on the island.

The drive from Airlie Beach to Townsville is close to three hundred kilometres long, and we gave ourselves four hours to do it in. The drive sticks close to the coast, although you don't see much of the ocean at all. There are large banana plantations on either side for much of the way, especially around the town of Bowen, which is a centre for backpackers and fruitpickers who came to earn some cash for their travels. Bowen has recently gained notoriety as the set of a Hollywood blockbuster starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and has seen a surge in tourist numbers there as a result. We resisted the urge to go star gazing, and carried on north, bypassing the town of Ayr as well and heading straight for Townsville.
The large pink granite monolith that is Castle Hill shows itself on the horizon before any part of the city does. Dominating the skyline of Townsville, there are a number of lookout points on this hill that provide fantastic views of the city, the coast and Magnetic Island and there are barbeque facilities available as well.
We had booked our camper into Rowes Bay Caravan Park, which is close enough to the city centre to be convenient, but is also situated on 10 hectares of natural bushland, making it a peaceful and tranquil spot.
Tranquility is a common theme here- the people are very laid back and the beaches around Townsville are peaceful and uncrowded. Typical of the tropics, they have palm trees lining the white sandy shores, and the waters are still and blue. They are especially pleasant in the late afternoon when the sun is sinking, but at any time of the day they are dotted with sunbaskers, fishermen and walkers.
The highlight of our trip to Townsville was our night on Magnetic Island, which lies 8 kilometres offshore across the still waters of Cleveland Bay. This magnificent tropical island rises to a peak in the form of Mt. Cook in its centre, from where spectacular views of the surrounding ocean and coast are available. There are a number of dramatic rocky headlands that protrude into the blue waters around the island, which contrast with the smooth white beaches to give the island a unique character. There are 23 bays here that you can choose from to sunbake, swim or snorkel (remember your stinger suit though!). There are plenty of bushwalking trails throughout the thick forest that coats the island interior, allowing you to get close to the flora and fauna of Magnetic Island and appreciate the fine views. There is a range of accommodation on the island, with all budgets being catered for, but remember to book well in advance as there is high demand especially over the summer months.
Two days and a night on this tropical paradise and then it was back to Townsville, and back to our mobile home! although we all appreciated the break, I think secretly we all missed it!
One more night in Townsville and then its time to move on. Join us on our travels to our next stop, Mission Beach!

Its that time of year again! Eager sailers are gearing up for what is set to be the event of the year in Airlie Beach. The annual event begins on the 14th of August, sailing through until the 21st. The race takes place on the waters of Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Passage, which makes it an ideal location for viewers as they can enjoy the comfort and perks of the mainland. The race makes an ideal day out for the family, who can experience the excitement of the competitive atmosphere as well as taking in the magnificent views of the spectacular Whitsundays. If you are visiting surrounding areas around this time of the year, the easiest way to check out the atmosphere of a day at the races is with a Rental Car from Discovery