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Getting around · Airlie Beach

Getting Around Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is the lively mainland base for the Whitsundays — compact, walkable and the departure point for nearly every island trip. Here’s how to get around town and out to the water.

Travel guide · Updated 31 May 2026 · By the Cooee Tours team

Each section below covers a way to get around, with quick links to the official timetables and operators — followed by our own transfer and charter services and a few common questions.

The 50¢ flat fare

Airlie Beach is served by Whitsunday Transit’s local buses, part of the TransLink network, so a trip is the flat 50¢ fare — and a low daily cap keeps a full day’s travel cheap too.

Bring coins or a go card, as tickets are bought on board the bus. Ferries and airport shuttles are separate commercial services.

Buses

Whitsunday Transit’s local buses are the workhorse, running every 15–30 minutes through the day between Cannonvale, Airlie Beach, Jubilee Pocket, Shute Harbour and out to Proserpine.

The 15-minute hop to Shute Harbour is handy for some island departures. Services run roughly 6 am to 10 pm, lighter on weekends.

Ferries

Most island trips leave from the marinas right in town — Coral Sea Marina and Port of Airlie — with some departing from nearby Shute Harbour.

Cruise Whitsundays and the tour operators handle scheduled crossings and day trips; many include a pick-up from your accommodation.

Trains

There’s no station in Airlie Beach itself; the nearest is Proserpine, about 25 minutes away on Queensland Rail’s Brisbane–Cairns line, with a connecting RailBus coach into town.

TramsNot here

No trams here. Airlie Beach is small enough to cover on foot, with the 4 km Bicentennial Walkway linking the lagoon to Cannonvale Beach.

Taxis

13CABS runs taxis across the Whitsunday region, with a rank in the centre of Airlie Beach and a late-night service for getting home after dinner or the bars. Useful for airport runs and accommodation outside the centre.

Rideshare

Uber has operated in Airlie Beach since 2024, with short trips around town starting from only a few dollars. Driver numbers are smaller than in the cities, so availability can vary late at night and in quiet periods.

Let us handle the getting-around

Timetables are great until you’re tired, on a deadline or travelling as a group. When it counts, our sister services take the guesswork out of Airlie Beach.

Airport Transfers

Door-to-door airport transfers — meet-and-greet, fixed prices and no surge pricing, with a driver waiting when you land.

Book a transfer

Coach Charters

Private coaches and mini-buses for groups, events, weddings and corporate travel — your own driver, your own schedule.

Charter a coach

Explore Airlie Beach

Guided tours and day trips around Airlie Beach that handle the logistics so you can enjoy the view.

Explore Airlie Beach

Common questions

How do I get from Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) Airport to Airlie Beach?

It’s about a 25–40 minute drive. Pre-booked shuttles run from roughly $25 one-way; taxis and Uber are faster door-to-door at a higher price; a private transfer is the easiest with luggage.

Do I need a car in Airlie Beach?

Not for the town itself — it’s walkable and Whitsunday Transit buses cover the strip. A car or transfer helps for the airport and exploring further afield.

How much are the local buses?

A flat 50¢ per trip on Whitsunday Transit, part of the TransLink network, with a low daily cap.

Where do the island ferries leave from?

Mostly Coral Sea Marina and Port of Airlie in town, with some departures from Shute Harbour a short bus ride or drive away.

Getting around other regions