AIRLIE BEACH, QUEENSLAND

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Today the names Whitsunday and Whitsunday Islands encompass the large town of Whitsunday (created in 1987 to include the mainland settlements of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Shute Harbour). Airlie Beach is the mainland tourist centre of The Whitsundays; Cannonvale is predominantly a residential area for the locals; Shute Harbour is a major set-off point for aircraft and ferries to the islands.
Location: 1135 km north of Brisbane (Airlie Beach)
The centre of the Airlie Beach township is a myriad of gift shops, eating places ranging from fast foods to quality restaurants, pubs and bars, and shops catering for the needs of holiday makers. Located only a few metres from the beach the shopping centre has a holiday feel. The whole township has a distinctly tropical flavour.
Natural features: South Pacific Ocean; Conway National Park (19,000 ha, Mount Rooper Lookout; Swamp Bay Track; Conway Ranges; Cedar Creek Falls; Cape Conway); Great Barrier Reef; Coral Sea; Cannonvale Beach; Airlie Beach; Sawmill Bay; Dugong Beach. Sawmill Bay; Whitsunday Passage; the Whitsunday Islands (including Daydream Island; Hamilton Island; Hayman Island; Lindeman Island; Long Island; South Long Island; South Molle Island; Hook Island; Cockermouth and Scawfell Islands; Gloucester Islands National Park; Lindeman Islands National Park; Molle Islands National Park; Newry Islands National Park Repulse Islands National Park).
Built features: marina and Whitsunday Island ferry facilities; localities of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Shute Harbour and Shutehaven; Shute Harbour airport and seaplane air base (the largest in the southern hemisphere)