🔍

Airlie Beach

QLD 4802 • Rest of QLD

1,312
Population (2021)
$48,464
Median Income
3.07 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTourist HubBeachsideNightlifeResort Town

About Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a vibrant coastal resort town in Queensland's Whitsunday Region, situated approximately 1,114 kilometres north of Brisbane and 26 kilometres north-west of Proserpine, within the Whitsunday Regional Council area. The town is internationally renowned as the primary gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, drawing sailors, divers, backpackers, and tourists year-round to its marina, lagoon, and reef departures. With a population of 1,312 and a median age of 41, Airlie Beach has a cosmopolitan, transient character — nearly a third of residents were born overseas, reflecting its working-holiday culture and global appeal.

Airlie Beach's town centre revolves around the oceanfront precinct, featuring a popular man-made lagoon, restaurants, dive shops, bars, and tour operators running daily trips to iconic destinations including Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef, and the outer Great Barrier Reef. The suburb caters to a mix of long-term locals working in marine tourism and hospitality, alongside a constant flow of domestic and international visitors. Outdoor activities abound, from sailing and snorkelling to skydiving and national park hiking in the surrounding Conway National Park, making Airlie Beach one of Queensland's most exciting places to live and visit.

Airlie Beach falls under postcode 4802 and is governed by Whitsunday Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Whitsunday electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4802
Urban Area
Proserpine - Whitsunday
LGA / Council
Whitsunday
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Whitsunday
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-20.27°, 148.72°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.07 km²
Elevation
47m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Proserpine
26 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Australia / Con-X-ion — Proserpine, Bowen, Mackay, Brisbane Approx. 30 min to Proserpine; 12–14 hrs to Brisbane

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
1114 km
By Train
Drive to Proserpine station (~26 km), then Spirit of Queensland to Brisbane (~10 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
10 hrs 30 min – 12 hrs (via Bruce Highway)
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 hrs – 11 hrs

🛣️ Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast Airport (~20 km) offers daily flights to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The compact town centre and foreshore precinct are very walkable, but broader errands and outer residential areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Shute Harbour Road and Waterson Way Airlie Beach 4802 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$380
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,925
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
41 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,208
Census 2021
1,312
▲ 8.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$43,940
Income 2021
$48,464
▲ 10.3% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 710
Born Overseas 413

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 91
  • 2. New Zealand 70
  • 3. Chile 23
  • 4. Canada 12
  • 5. Netherlands 12
  • 6. United States 12
  • 7. Germany 11
  • 8. Ireland 11
  • 9. Scotland 10
  • 10. Wales 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 515
Australian 315
Irish 157
Scottish 134
German 60
Italian 46
Dutch 27
Spanish 21
Chinese 20
New Zealander 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

514
Both parents born in Australia
452
Both parents born overseas
147
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
50.0%
Christianity
30.2%
Buddhism
1.2%
Judaism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
24 (1.8%)
5-14 years
52 (4.0%)
15-19 years
26 (2.0%)
20-24 years
102 (7.8%)
25-34 years
346 (26.4%)
35-44 years
181 (13.8%)
45-54 years
183 (13.9%)
55-64 years
216 (16.5%)
65-74 years
127 (9.7%)
75-84 years
45 (3.4%)
85+ years
3 (0.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Airlie Beach known for? +

Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef — one of Australia's most popular tourism destinations. The town is famous for its sailing culture, the popular foreshore lagoon, Whitehaven Beach day trips, and vibrant marina precinct.

How far is Airlie Beach from Brisbane? +

Airlie Beach is approximately 1,114 kilometres north of Brisbane by road, a drive of around 10.5 to 12 hours via the Bruce Highway. Most visitors fly into Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast Airport, located about 20 kilometres away, with daily connections to major eastern capitals.

Does Airlie Beach have public transport? +

Airlie Beach has no rail service of its own. The nearest train station is at Proserpine (approximately 26 km west), served by Queensland Rail's Spirit of Queensland on the Brisbane to Cairns line. Greyhound coaches serve the town, and local transfer shuttles connect to Proserpine Airport. A car or bicycle is useful for exploring beyond the town centre.

What is the population of Airlie Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Airlie Beach has a population of 1,312, with a median age of 41 and a very small average household size of 1.8, reflecting the high proportion of singles, couples, and tourism workers in the town.

Is Airlie Beach a good place to live? +

Airlie Beach offers an extraordinary lifestyle for those who love the tropics, the ocean, and an adventurous outdoor environment. It suits tourism and hospitality workers, marine industry professionals, and lifestyle seekers. The small permanent population, limited schooling, and distance from major centres mean it's best suited to those without major urban dependencies.

What is the postcode for Airlie Beach? +

Airlie Beach's postcode is 4802, shared with the broader Whitsunday Islands region.