Getting around Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is small and walkable, and the islands are reached by boat or air — so most visitors get by without a car. Here's how the airports, ferries, buses and transfers work in 2026, and when a hire car is worth it.
Two airports
There are two ways to fly in. Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine, PPP), about 40 minutes from Airlie, is served by Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Skytrans — the usual choice for a mainland stay (Qantas does not fly here). Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), on the island itself and served by Qantas and Virgin, is convenient if you're staying on the islands, with a ferry across to the Port of Airlie (~60 minutes).
Buses, transfers & car hire
In town you can walk almost everywhere, and tours pick up centrally. Whitsunday Transit buses link Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Shute Harbour and Proserpine (meeting flights), all at the 50-cent flat fare. Door-to-door transfers and taxis run to and from the airport. A hire car (available in Airlie/Cannonvale and at the airport) is worth it if you're staying out of town or want to drive to Conway National Park, Cedar Creek Falls or Bowen.
Ferries & island transfers
The islands are all boat or air. Cruise Whitsundays runs scheduled ferries from the Port of Airlie to Daydream Island, Hamilton Island Marina and Hamilton Island Airport, and most sailing and day tours leave from Coral Sea Marina (formerly Abell Point Marina) just north of town. If you're island-hopping or staying on a resort island, we can line up the ferries, transfers and flights.
Getting around: your questions
Two options. Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine, PPP) is ~40 minutes' drive from Airlie Beach, served by Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Skytrans (note: Qantas does not fly to Proserpine). Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) is on Hamilton Island, served by Qantas and Virgin, and reached from the mainland by ferry — handy if you're staying on the islands.
From Proserpine (PPP), take a Whitsunday Transit shuttle (which meets flights, ~$21 one-way), a private transfer, a taxi, or a hire car for the ~40-minute drive. From Hamilton Island, a Cruise Whitsundays ferry connects the island to the Port of Airlie (~60 minutes). We can arrange transfers as part of your trip.
Not really if you're staying in town — Airlie Beach is compact and walkable, tours pick up centrally, and local buses connect Airlie, Cannonvale and Proserpine. A car is handy if you're staying in Cannonvale, want to drive to Cedar Creek Falls, Conway National Park or Bowen, or prefer flexibility. Otherwise transfers and tours cover most needs.
Queensland's flat 50-cent fare applies to Translink urban buses, including the Whitsunday Transit network, for any journey with a go card or contactless card. Whitsunday Transit runs between Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Shute Harbour and Proserpine (including the airport). Commercial airport shuttles are priced separately.
By boat or air. Day tours and sailing trips leave from Coral Sea Marina and the Port of Airlie. Cruise Whitsundays ferries connect the Port of Airlie to Daydream and Hamilton islands (and Hamilton Island Airport). Hamilton Island also has direct flights. There are no bridges or roads to the islands.