Play on Land
Wander off the beaten track: 6 Lesser-Known things to do in the Whitsundays
Airlie Beach is best known as a small yet vibrant seaside town that acts as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Whilst this is certainly correct and snorkeling the reef and lazing on the white sands of Whitehaven Beach are a MUST, there are numerous other reasons to stick around a few days longer! There is more to explore and we recommend getting out and discovering a few of the hidden gems that our region has to offer. We’re spilling the beans and here are some of our favourite lesser-known things to do during your visit.
Bredl’s Wild farm
Are you searching for a fix of ‘real’ Australian wildlife? Then why not look inland slightly and experience the Whitsunday ‘outback’ by planning a day out to Bredl’s Wild Farm. Located on 175 acres of natural Australian bushland you can expect to meet all the friendly locals – Pet a kangaroo, cuddle a koala, handle a snake and watch the Big Croc’s at feeding time.
Cedar Creek Falls
Just a short 20-minute drive inland from Airlie Beach, this beautiful natural watering hole is a hidden gem and the perfect spot for a cooling fresh water swim. Helpful hint – Enjoy this amazing location during wet season where the waterfall will be cascading in all its glory. Take some lunch and enjoy a picnic on the banks, where you can spot the small turtles in the shallows. Afterwards, take a stroll along the path to the top of the waterfall to enjoy the vantage point over the rainforest.
Hydeaway Bay
This miniature coastal town is high on the list of Whitsundays’ best kept secrets. Located only a 40 minute drive North of Airlie Beach, Hydeaway Bay boasts some of the most pristine beaches, picturesque palm-fringed coastlines, laid-back resorts, and not to mention is the most incredible sunset spot thanks to it’s westerly perspective. Hydeaway Bay is a place where, as the name suggests, you can drift away from life’s hustle and bustle and enjoy the simpler things.
Hiking mainland trails
The Whitsunday coastline boasts some of the most scenic and beautiful mountain walks and trails. Picture this – Taking a short meandering stroll in the rainforest where the path then opens up onto a secluded hidden beach. Or imagine a more blood-pumping up-hill hike that rewards you with the most breath-taking of views! There is something for everyone’s tastes, abilities and time.
Bowen’s Beaches
A traditional and small Australian town located only an hour’s drive North, Bowen is known for its fresh locally caught seafood, scrumptious mangoes and its incredible beaches. Plan for yourself a ‘beach-crawl’, starting at the simply stunning Horseshoe Bay and ending for a sunset at Grays Bay where the sun sets into the horizon.
Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park
If you a few more spare days to play with, then we can’t recommend highly enough a visit to Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park. Located 2.5 hours south and inland this beautiful National Park is the perfect place to camp, soak up the insane views from the top of the range, hike the waterfall trails in the gorge, take a dip in one of the many rock pools and cascades, and if you’re lucky, spot a little platypus playing in the creeks.
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