Whitsunday Islands – Airlie Beach!
It’s nestled besides one of the world’s greatest wonders, the Great Barrier Reef which is World Heritage listed and 74 tropical islands in the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. The magnificent Conway National Park provides a superb natural backdrop for the town with Mediterranean styled resorts stretching up the hills with spectacular views over the Whitsunday Islands.
From Abel Point Marina there is a boardwalk that takes you on a pictures’ walk to the shops at Cannonvale or in the opposite direction to Airlie Beach.
If you decide to
anchor
there are a couple of options. Just off shore from the Sailing Club provides good protection from southerly winds but is exposed to the north and can be swelly. There is a dinghy harbor behind the break water at the Sailing Club and visitors are welcome.
Enjoy a meal on the big veranda and watch magnificent sun sets over the Whitsunday Islands before heading back to your yacht. This area dries extensively so watch the tides. The other anchorage is off the Abel Point Marina, the same applies, watch the tides and predominant winds especially in the
cyclone season!
Step ashore in Airlie Beach and you find a colorful, cosmopolitan holiday village bursting with energy. Airlie is captivating because it is uncomplicated and accessible.
If you’re looking at provisioning the Saturday morning markets under the palm trees by the beach are an easy stroll to the sailing club and the best place to go. Be there early for fresh produce from surrounding farms, mangoes and bananas are cheap in season. Buy colorful sarongs and crafts and sample coffee brewed from local beans. Although progress is catching up there are no movie theaters’, or culture like a city holds but that’s part of its charm. So what is there to do other than the pleasure of sailing around the islands?
Whitsundays Events and Attractions!
There are a number of popular bays and islands with fringing reefs where you can anchor and explore. But keep in mind there are strict laws on anchoring so as not to damage the coral, and when tying up to a buoy rules apply. There are also zones where fishing is prohibited and stiff penalties if you break the law. Chandleries and fishing shops have free charts on rules and regulations and the book which tells it all is
100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier reef the Whitsunday Islands Second Edition
And if you are really game try sky diving and if you can keep your eyes open the view of the islands is breathtaking!
Stretch your legs and go back to nature in the rainforests and natural bush that surround Airlie. The Conway National Park embraces the area and has some good hiking tracks like the Great Whitsunday Walk and in the wet season round January to March Cedar Falls is at it’s best with a popular swimming water hole.
TheReef Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays held every year in November. It celebrates the Whitsunday Islands natural assets with 4 days of fun in the sun. From live concerts under the palm trees, sand sculpting competitions, street parties, fashion parades, a Reef Fire Beach party and movies at the Airlie Beach Lagoon. But the big event that attracts yachties from around the world is the Hamilton Island Race Week from serious racers to those that want to have some fun and party hard!!!
The Whitsunday Islands big event is Hamilton Islands Race Week!
|
by David Colfelt.
