Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach

Advantages: wonderful nature, off beach snorkelling, pool, underwater observatory, beautiful fish
Disadvantages: march flies, basic accommodation, sometimes rowdy groups from party yachts come through at night, not fridges in all rooms, trek to the loo, restricted showers, campers kitchen was dirty, also bedbug issue

...) in Airlie Beach, so it's best to wait till they have gone onto their other stops before borrowing a kayak and paddling out there. Once by the reef, tie the kayak up to the string of buoys and jump in, hold the bread in your fingers and prepare to see millions of fish up close! Lazy three foot goanas lounge about the place, climbing trees if they are approached, a pair of Brahminy kites live in the gorgeous Back Bay ( a short walk from the resort). Pebbly Beach is the other recommended bay to visit but I found that the stones which it is necessary to cross are very sharp and extend 10 metres out before you can get into the ocean. Couple that with the March flies. These are BIG flies which bite. The wetness induces them to breed and come out and they are attracted to anything with a pulse. They can bite through material and if you are allergic can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: near the coast, nice weather
Disadvantages: not alot in the town

...rocks. However, it is possible if you take your time. Queens Beach - This beach has great accomodation options, public toilets, kids playground, skateboarding and a stinger net. Out of all the Bowen beaches i think this is probably the most unattractive, there's not much to look at but the stinger net is the only one available in the area. Rose Bay - You can view the Whitsunday's waterways and like the others in Bowen, great for diving and snorkelling, also has resort accomodation It also has some shops, they aren't the best selection of shops but there are two supermarkets, there are also some really good takeaway burger places that do the nicest burgers. Apart from that, you would have to go to a bigger town to find more selection of shops, for example, Airlie Beach and Townsville or Mackay would be good for shops. The transport... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Everything! Paradise on earth!
Disadvantages: Nothing

...The Whitsunday Islands are 74 islands located off the Queensland coast in Australia. You can fly to the local airport (Proserpine airport) with Jetstar (owned by Qantas) or Virginblue. A shuttle bus / taxi service operates to meet every inbound and outbound flight and take you to Airlie Beach which is the town on the mainland that is the main gateway to the islands. They were named 'Whitsunday' by Captain Cook after the day on which they were first sighted. However, interestingly enough, he was actually a day out because he hadn't accounted for crossing the international dateline! The Whitsundays is one if the nicest parts of Australia and attracts hordes of national and international visitors every year, and it isn't hard to see why. It is one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon resorts for Australians. Azure blue ocean... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful