I came across Airlie Beach in Queensland a couple of years ago on my way to somewhere else and loved it so much that I went no further. Perhaps the attached photos of a typical Airlie sunset will explain why.

Since then I've been back four other times and have stayed at the Sailz in Cannonvale once, the Coral Seas Resort once and the Mediterranesn Resorts on three other occasions.

The Sailz in inexpensive but pleasant enough and the Coral Seas is quite expensive but it seems a matter of luck wether you get a sea view room or not. Pricewise, the Mediterranean is somewhere between the two but the views are absolutely to die for. From our balcony chairs we could sit back and relax with a white wine overlooking the beautiful Pioneer Bay and a host of islands including, Hook, Hayman, Double Cone and Amrit Islands. Any photo I have seen does not do it justice. Also the Mediterranean is self contained which means that it has full kitchen and laundry facilities. This is a must for anyone staying in the tropics for any more than a few days as dining out all the time can be expensive and who wants to use one of those public laundaries on a regular basis.

On our last visit we travelled with friends and shared a three bedroom, two bathroom unit that gave us plenty of privacy and everyone had a sense of their own space.

Whilst in Airlie we went on a three island cruise on Fantasea Ferries - we especially loved Daydream Island and also took a cruise abord the Banana Winds catamaran yacht for a look at sunset from the water. It's every bit as good as the other writer reports and they do, in fact, give you champagne (included in the price of the trip) and keep it coming.

Some evenings we dined at home (the Mediterranean unit we were staying in) others, we ate out. Among our favourite spots were the Hogs Breath Cafe in Airlie Beach and Banjos Bar and Grill in Cannonvale. We loved Banjos so much we came back for dinner a few nights later.

I've now been to Airlie Beach five times in two years and I'm hoping to make it a sixth later this years. Again I will choose to stay at the Mediterranean Resorts for it's great views and its excellent facilities.

I too had a recent holiday at Airlie Beach where I stayed in a villa at the Mediterranean Resorts overlooking the village.

I agree that the views are just too good to be true.

Our villa had a wide balcony and was very nice inside with a modern kitchen and a cozy lounge area. The Mediterranean has two pools, one of them with a spa. They have been built with infinity edges so that you can look out across the ocean to the islands while swimming. Just fantastic.

Unlike one of the other writers I enjoyed Airlie Beach with its many restaurants, we counted 30 or so, and the numerous watering holes, bars – more than a dozen of these.

Also unlike the other writer, I found the bar and restaurant staff to be attentive and friendly, if somewhat casual. But I guess that’s life in the tropics.

Airlie Beach is a great staging point for the Whitsunday region.

From there, and nearby Shute Harbour, you can take day trips to the islands and the Reef or visit beautiful Conway Beach National Park or take the crocodile wetlands tour from Proserpine.

There’s also a great 2-3 hour sailing cruise leaving Airlie Beach at sunset where they give you free champagne. Day trips to historic Bowen and down to Mackay are also worthwhile. It pays to rent a car while in Airlie Beach, although the local public transport system is very good.

In fact Airlie DOES have a beach and it’s quite pretty being a half-moon shaped bay ringed by palm trees.

But I agree it is small and stinger season lasts about five months.

However, also along the foreshore is a massive man-made lagoon that meanders through parkland – it is very attractive and very popular.

The shopping centre at Airlie Beach is a hive of cafes, fashion shops and seemingly, real estate agents. I think there must be a major property boom going on here.

And why not, it’s a pretty place with great views and a great climate.

I intend going back perhaps later this year or next and my first choice would be to again stay at the Mediterranean villas.

First of all, Airlie Beach is NOT ! There is hardly a beach at all and apparently you can't really swim there because most of the year there are STINGERS in the water. Airlie Beach IS a jumping off point to the Whitsunday islands for world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Do NOT go, thinking this is a lay by the beautiful ocean / pool sipping drinks with umbrellas in them brought by attentive waiters. You go there to do one thing and that is to book a trip on a boat and take off !

The service was horrible everywhere we went in restaurants, hotels, our accomodation, stores. I don't think they " get it " yet.....they may cater to the " backpackers" a bit with loud, boozy bars but they don't cater to the family with children or to romantic couples....

The Mediterreanean Resort has beautiful views and a nice but small couple of pools. The jacuzzis are ICE COLD. The accomodations are apartments with garage, washer / dryer, kitchen, etc. Basic decor and amentities.
The food is so expensive at the local supermarket that it's worth the bus ride out to the real grocery store out of town. The website is nicer than the property. The best part about it is the view but to get that view you have to hike up a fairly steep hill in warm weather. NOT FUN AT ALL !
Management needs lessons in customer service as well....would not stay here again.

The first thing I did on returning from our recent holiday in beautiful Airlie Beach was to book for a return visit.

This cosmopolitan tropical seaside village with its stunning Coral Sea views is the sort of place that gets under your skin.

Airlie Beach can be either the most peaceful place on earth or the most vibrant – the choice is yours.

You may opt for a picturesque cruise through the wonderful Whitsunday Islands.

Or you may prefer the exciting nightlife in the pulsating hub of downtown Airlie.

At both extremes, and in between, the area is rich in tourist treasures.

In Airlie we stayed at the Mediterranean Resort about two-thirds the way “up the hill” in Golden Orchid Drive.

Surely, this must be some of the best real estate on Earth!

The view from our balcony was simply stunning – beneath us the palm-lined parks and streets of Airlie Beach – out to see, a vision splendid, a veritable garden of tropical islands extending to the horizon.

If this not Heaven – it’s something like it.

The Mediterranean contains a number of 2 or 3-bedroom comfortable, well appointed apartments, elegantly furnished and a delight to call home during our Whitsundays stay.

It boasts two beautiful pools in it’s sculptured garden setting and even an a shaded spa for those late night romantic champagnes in the moonlight.

The resort hosts John and wife Jacqui are extremely friendly and helpful to their guests.

They are a mine of local information advising, as they do, on local eateries and the plethora of Whitsunday tourist attractions.

To anyone contemplating a visit to the beautiful Whitsundays in tropical Australia I whole-heartedly recommend a stay in Airlie Beach and the comfort and hospitality of the Mediterranean Resort.