Day Trip From Bowen Airlie Beach North Queensland. Australia
There
is more to the magical Whitsundays than just the islands. The Whitsunday Coast
has a myriad of secluded beaches, lush rainforests and areas the locals love to
explore, off the beaten track. Early morning we took the coastal drive from
Bowen to Airlie Beach, which is scenic drive with many wonderful stops that
should be experienced. The drive is 78 kilometres from Bowen passing multiple
cattle stations and scenic cane fields when in late June the eerie glow of cane
fires can still be seen at night, a spectacular sight to catch on camera.
If
you’d like to discover one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets, venture off the
highway just north of Airlie Beach to Dingo Beach and Cape Gloucester, a
surprisingly beautiful and undeveloped part of the coast. Cape Gloucester has
two beachside resorts. Montes Reef Resort is lively, while Cape Gloucester
Resort is quiet and private. Enjoy the coastal scenery with a spot of lunch, and
then sleep it off in a poolside deck chair. Dingo Beach and Cape Gloucester are
worth visiting before the developers discover it. We took no detour because our
goal was to get to Cedar Creek Falls early.
You
will find Cedar Creek Falls about half way between Airlie Beach and Proserpine
on Saltwater Creek Road. The rushing, clear water of Cedar Creek Falls pours
into a peaceful creek surrounded by thick green forest, lending the area an
idyllic, almost utopian appearance. A walk around the creek takes in numerous
cascades, rock pools, and plant species, making a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) circuit
around the area. If swimming in the shadow of a picturesque waterfall sounds
like your idea of fun, then Cedar Creek Falls might just be for you, but get
there early. You will have the falls all for yourself early morning, but by
9.30am – 10.00am the crowd of buses and tourist start arriving and the peace
calm and quiet disappears.
Safety
at Cedar Creek Falls
- Never jump off the rocks into the waterhole
- Take plenty of water, a few snacks and wear
sunscreen.
- Always keep children in viewing distance
- Never via off the formed tracks
- Stay within fenced areas
- Be aware of wildlife and stay away from
dangerous animals
- Leave only footprints and take only
photo’s. Take all rubbish with you.
- Don’t destroy the natural environment
- Know your own limits
- Don’t swim alone and don’t put yourself or
others at risk
- Always read and heed on-site information
and signs
Just as the crowds of tourists started rolling in the lure of shopping in The Whitsundays has Kim’s interest. From the falls we headed back Conway Road and Shute Habour Road to Airlie Beach. Located in the heart of the Whitsundays region, the coastal town of Airlie Beach has long been a popular holiday destination for some people. It really offers a convenient gateway for those wanting to explore the marine parks, islands and green rainforests.
Arguably the most important meal of the day, breakfast is an
integral part of the Whitsunday experience. Be it a quick takeaway coffee and
baguette before a boat trip or a slow, lazy Sunday dining in and listening to
the birds wake up, there’s a perfect breakfast spot for everyone.
Two
standout venues were:
Fat
Frog Beach Cafe
A true local’s
favourite, The Fat Frog Beach Cafe offers a unique and quirky beachfront vibe
for you to enjoy your morning coffee and our wholesome home-made food. Located
in one of Cannonvale’s most spectacular spots, you will be greeted with a sandy
beach, beautiful view and cooling sea breeze to complement your dining
experience.
SideWalk
Cafe: Licensed Cafe & Restaurant in Airlie Beach
Sidewalk cafe was undeniably one of our favourite spots in town for a cup of fantastic coffee. With an eclectic dine-in atmosphere and service with a smile, this local joint was the perfect place to get caffeinated. The chefs at Sidewalk bake up fresh scones and muffins every morning, which are never twice the same, but always bursting with taste sensations. Located on the Airlie Esplanade, Sidewalk Cafe is right in the middle of town and bustling with god-send baristas that know how to make your morning cup of coffee.
Perfectly positioned across from the glorious Coral Sea the café provides
quality, taste and value for money.
From
breakfast we headed across the road to the foreshore, which is an important
feature of the Whitsunday region for tourists and locals alike. It is valued
for its beautiful bay and island views, relaxing lagoon and regular markets,
festivals and events. If you are visiting on a Saturday be sure to visit the
Lions Airlie Beach Community Markets, located on the Airlie Beach Foreshore. It’s
a cornucopia of amazing locally made souvenirs, local produce and mouthwatering
food and drink.
The
main street has a variety and interesting shops on offer, with many stores
having their own distinct style. Jewellery, homewares, artworks and Indigenous artifacts
are all to be found, as well as fashions, food and fun things for the kids. Not
surprisingly, the main street is also dotted with souvenir shops selling
colourful swimwear, sarongs, sandals, and sunhats.
Kim
loved Airllywood, located in the walkway between McDonald's and Woolworths.
A
Whitsundays boutique curating boho-chic clothing made of natural fibers &
free-flowing materials that help you express your inner gypsy with style. Fresh,
fun and funky summer fashion for women - bohemian and classy kaftans, dresses,
skirts, pants and tops in swirling patterns and vivid colours perfect for the
beach. The staffs provide good service, quality clothing and achieved a safe
and friendly shopping environment.
Little
Vintage Cafe is a local food van operating from the Shute Harbour Marine
Terminal.
From
the shops we headed to Lions lookout Shute Harbour. Located close to Airlie
Beach, Shute Harbour is a forest-clad, secluded jumping off point for the
Whitsunday Island Tours. Shute Harbour is also the closest location to the
Whitsunday Airport where guests can take scenic helicopter flights, fixed wing
scenic tours and seaplane flights over the iconic locations of the Whitsunday
Islands. To get a great view of the harbour head up to Coral Point. The view is
amazing with sparkling blue waters and a sprinkling of boats.
Getting
late in the afternoon we started the drive back to Bowen stopping one more time
at the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Located at the gateway to the gorgeous Whitsunday
Region, it’s opposite the Airlie Beach/Shute Harbour Road on the Bruce Highway,
just 1 minute north of Proserpine. Surrounded by stunning scenery, bordered by
the Proserpine River and nestled in a rich fertile valley, they have 140,000
Arabica coffee trees that are truly beautiful, that produce Award Winning
Coffee. You can walk around the magnificent pathways, take in the sights, the
plants, the animal life.
While
the islands themselves have much on offer, it's a well-known fact that Airlie
Beach has phenomenal hiking and walking trails that make for a great way to
spend time while on the mainland. So lace up your shoes and grab your sense of
adventure. It's time to get back to nature in the Whitsundays with our three
favourite walks.
Honeyeater
Lookout
The
Honeyeater Walk is one of the most well-known and well-loved bushwalks in the
Whitsundays. It's an 8km turnaround, 4 km each way, and boasts one of the best
views in the Whitsundays at the top, and it looks out over Cannonvale and the
Whitsunday Islands. The trail itself starts at the top of Kara Crescent in
Airlie Beach. There are no facilities along the way, so make sure to bring
water as this trial can be challenging and steep.
Airlie
Creek
If you’re
short one time The Airlie Creek track is a perfect escape into nature, right
out of the heart of Airlie Beach, with access from Waterson Way. The return
track is 1.7km long and will take roughly an hour to complete. Its home to some
magnificent subtropical plants, endangered rock wallabies as well as an
incredible fig tree about halfway along the path. The reward at the end is a
stunning sloping natural rock pool and trickling waterfalls that come to life
in the wet season.
Mt
Rooper Circuit and Swamp Bay Track
The
trail is located just outside of Airlie Beach in Shute Harbour and about a 7.2
km long bushwalk that climbs through the forests of Conway National Park.
Exposing people to a wonderful and amazing flora and fauna of the Whitsundays,
which the end result being an amazing view of the harbour and the Whitsunday
Islands, including Daydream Island, North Molle Islands, and the Whitsunday
Passage. Hikers can read informational signs along the way, which will tell the
story of indigenous use of the local plants that are native to the area. You
can reach this trail by hopping on Whitsunday Transit, which can drop you off
there. The trail starts on the left-hand side of the road just before Shute
Harbour.
"We
acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live,
and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay
respect to Elders past, present and emerging. "We encourage our guests to
learn more about Australia's Indigenous People. Their journey is long and
interesting and deserves to be shared and respected.
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