Hostelworld Guide for Airlie BeachEoin WhiteAs a launch pad to the stunning Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach attracts the bulkof travellers exploring the east coast of Australia, which has led to it becoming much more than just astopover town. Its main thoroughfare is Shute Harbour Road, and here you'll find everything that this smalltown has to offer. You'll also encounter countless tour companies dealing in wild adventures at sea duringthe day include sailing, snorkeling, scuba-diving, kayaking and speed boating, while on dry land anequally wild nightlife awaits you. But the main attractions here are the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands.You can choose from a host of multi-day cruises which bring you all around this UNESCO World Heritagesite and also to jewel in the crown, Whitehaven Beach. Explore this region and you'll leave thinking you'vejust seen paradise. You won't be far wrong.In this Guide...Useful InformationAfter DarkPlaces to EatTop AttractionsBudget TipsWhere to ShopThe Essentials ClimateGetting ThereBy plane: The Whi tsunday Coast Ai rport i sn' tactually on the coast but a 25 minute drive inland ina place called Proserpine. From here there areregular transfers to Airlie Beach.By train: Proserpine is also home to the nearesttrain station. 'Whitsunday Coaches' are on hand tomeet every train and take you right to the door toyour accommodation.By bus: If you're arriving by bus you'll be droppedoff 100 metres from Shute Harbour Road, AirlieBeach's main road.Getting AroundOn foot: ' Ai rl i e'i s smal l ...very smal l . Wal ki ngaround is the only way to go. Shute Harbour Roadi st hemai nst r eet andal l t hehost el s, bar s,restaurants and booking offices are either on it orbranch off it.By bus: There may be a few occasions when takinga bus is required, especially if you're going to theneighbouring town of Cannonvale or the nearbynational parks. Whitsunday Transit run buses upand down Shute Harbour Road 7 days a week.By taxi: The chances are that you won't be needinga taxi while in Airlie but just in case it's good toknow that there's a taxi rank right in the middle ofShute Harbour Road.Airlie Beach factsName: Originally called plain old Airlie by aScottish Chairman of the regional council afterthe town of Airlie in Scotland, Airlie Beach tookon its current name in 1904.Population: Airlie Beach is home to around25,000 people.Founded: While the Whitsundays were firstnamed in 1770 by Captain Cook (a mistake intimekeeping meant that it was actually aWhitmonday), Airlie wasn't founded until 1904when farmers took up residence along thecoast. Taking its name from the town of Airlie inScotland, it didn't become Airlie Beach until1959 after locals pushed for the much morepopular name.Resting on the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro,Mauritius, Tahiti and New Caledonia, Airlie Beachbasks in a subtropical climate which means anaverage daily temperature of around 27C. Whatthis means is that it's a perfect place to visit at anytime of the year, with winter temperatures rarelydropping below 23C. During the summer monthsyou can expect 30C heat most days, so make sureto take precaution as the sun is quite severe in thispart of the world. Water temperatures remain prettyconstant year round at 25C but it's probably best tostick to the man made lagoon as these warm watersattract thousands of stingers.Good to know...Language: EnglishCurrency: Australian Dollar (AUD)Electricity: 240 volts, 50 cycles. Plug: v-shapedflat prongsTelephone Code: +61 (Australia)Emergency Code: 000Time Zone: GMT +10 hoursEmbassies / ConsulatesUSA: +61 (0)2 9373 9200*UK: +61 (0)2 9247 7521*Canada: +61 (0)2 6270 4000*South Africa: +61 (0)2 6273 2424**Ireland: +61 (0)2 9231 6999*Germany: +61 (0)7 4041 5344Spain: +61 (0)2 9261 2433*Italy: +61 (0)2 9392 7939*New Zealand: +61 (0)2 8256 2000*France: +61 (0)2 9261 5779**Number is for embassy in Sydney**Number is for embassy in CanberraHostelworld Guide for Airlie Beach www.hostelworld.comCheap Eats After DarkNeptune, Esplanade When in a seaside town, itwould be rude not to sample the best fish and chipson offer. Neptune has been serving huge portionsof 'caught-that-morning' fish for over 50 years now,and has a huge selection of seafood for you tochoose from. Ignore the imitators, Neptune is thereal deal. Open daily 10am-8.30pmWaterfront Bar & Grill, Beach Plaza Overlookingthe beach, this backpacker favourite always makesan effort to include specials in its menu for thebudget conscious among us. Whether for breakfast,lunch or dinner, it's a nice and spacious place tochill out and eat well. Open daily 7am-midnight.Noodle-iciousOff Ya Noodle & Pasta Bar, Beach Plaza, Shp10, The Esplanade 'When two great chefscome together expect the best of both worlds'.So reads the cocky menu but once you'rethrough your meal you'll be inclined to agree.Whether you opt for a noodle or pasta dishyou're guaranteed fresh grub that's freshlycooked right in front of you. Open daily11am-9pm.1Mama's Boys, 366 Shute Harbour Road A part ofthe sprawling Magnum complex that is busy dayandni ght , Mama' sBoysservesgreat val uepub-style meals and specialises in filling you up.The menu is huge and covers steaks, burgers,pastas, seafood, salads and pizzas. Open daily9am- 5pm.KC's Steak & Seafood Bar, 382 Shute HarbourRoad If you're in the mood for spoiling yourself witha steak but don't want to break the bank KC's is theplace for you. An ideal way to start the night, thisbar and gri l lserves up del i ci ous meal s, hostsregular live music and is a nice place to spend af e wh o u r s a mo n g f r i e n d s . Op e n d a i l y10am-midnight.Magnums, 366 Shute Harbour Road Airlie's not abig place so Magnums can't be missed, especiallyat night. The bar is packed seven nights a weekthanks to its adjoined hostel and because it's apopular place for the after parties of returningsailing excursions. Inside you'll also find 'M@SS',the town's wildest nightclub. Open daily 10am-3am.Paddy Shenanigans, 352 Shute Harbor RoadAirlie' s obligatory Irish pub is exactly as you' dexpect - the drinks flow, the dance floor is heaving,the barstaff move at lightning speed, there's sportont het el evi si onanddeepandmeani ngf ulconversations abound. Above all, the sound of alive band can also be heard. Great fun. Open daily5pm-late.Mama Africa's, 263 Shute Harbour Road Just asthe rest of Airle Beach is winding down for the night,Mama Afri ca' s spri ngs to l i fe. Easi l y the mostpopular spot in town, this African-themed club onlygets going after midnight yet somehow manages tobe both chilled out and manic at the same time.Open daily 11pm-late.Some rum in the sunRumBar, Shop 2 / Beach Plaza, TheEsplanade These people love rum. Not only dothey stock a huge and ever increasing stock ofthe world's most diverse spirit, but the staff hereare also passionate about what they serve andhow they serve it. If you're new to rum don'tworry - these guys have suggestions to getanyone hooked. Open daily 11.30am-midnight.Beaches, 356 Shute Harbour Road This huge barcan pack in over 800 people, and it seems that it'sclose to reaching capacity most nights of the week.It's the perfect place to meet other backpackers aseveryone squeezes together side by side alongpicnic tables to share travel stories and drinks.Chances are you'll hear it before you see it. Opendaily 7pm-late.Don't Miss Budget TipsSailing the Whitsundays A 3-4 day boat tri paround the Whitsundays is nirvana for sailors,heaven for scuba-divers, paradise for snorkelersand pure bliss for those looking to spend long dayssunbathing on the deck of a luxurious yacht. Sailingaround the islands might blow your budget but it'swort hspoi l i ngyoursel f everynowandt hen,especially for this.Time is of the essenceOcean Rafting Offering three adventures inone, Ocean Rafting is ideal if you've only got aday to explore the Whitsunday Islands. The touris on a rigid, inflatable boat that hurtles throughthe water at breakneck speed, becomingairborne over waves and leaving your heartracing. Then you take in the spectacularWhitehaven Beach before snorkeling overpristine reefs.Trip on the Proserpine River A trip down theProserpine River is the best way to see the speciesof birds, mammals and reptiles that live along it. Butwhat you really want to catch a sighting of are wildestuarine crocodiles as you sit snugly in the tourboat.Skydive over the Whitsundays While you canskydive in every major stop along the east coast ofAustralia, nowhere comes close to the WhitsundayIslands in terms of scenery. After the jump from14,000ft and freefall of 55 seconds, the view ofQueensland's celebrated archipelago will simplytake your breath away.Visit Conway National Park & State ForestThere's a lot more to the Whitsunday region thanjust islands and reefs, and if you venture inlandyou'll find some gorgeous walking tracks throughthe lush Conway National Park and State Forest.Dai l y buses travelthere regul arl y from ShuteHarbour Road.Contact your hostel for tour info.Go on standby for tours If you are planning a touraround the islands and want to save a little bit ofcash, make sure to ask your tour operator if thereare standby rates available. Space on a boat canopen up at the last minute, suiting both parties toget you onboard wi th the sweetener of a l i ttl ediscount.Use free WiFi in Beach Plaza As free wi fii sbecoming rarer and rarer these days, the hourlyfees here and there all add up. This is what makesit particularly refreshing it is to find somewhere likethe Beach Plaza which offers free, super-fast WiFito all customers who eat or drink in any of its stores.Take advantage of free barbecues As with therest of t heeast coast , Ai rl i eBeachprovi deswaterfront BBQs that are free to use. Heading tothe supermarket and grabbi ng some meat fordinner is a great way to save money, eat well andenjoy views of the ocean with your meal. The BBQsare available to use 24 hours a day and are idealfor a big group of hungry friends who've becometired of pasta and noodles.Lazing at the lagoonRelax at the Airlie Beach Lagoon Despite itsname, the beach isn't where most peopledecide to engage in some tan management.This is due to the presence of jellyfish in thewaters from October to May. As an alternativeAirlie has a man-made lagoon off the mainstreet. The grass and sand banks are popularfor sunbathing while the water is watched overby lifeguards during the day and security atnight.Use the free bus service on Hamilton Island Ifyou decide to stay on Hamilton Island when in AirlieBeach (i t' s one of the most famous of al ltheWhitsunday Islands), make sure to take advantageof the island's free buses. There are three routeswhich take you to the island's attractions, makingthem very handy.Hostelworld Guide for Airlie Beach www.hostelworld.com