Whitsunday Backpacker Weekend

Whitsunday Backpacker Weekend
Explore the long sandy beaches of the Whitsundays on a backpacker budget
This drive tour between Bowen and Airlie Beach will leave you wishing the weekend was
so much longer, with idyllic coastine and amazing attractions.
Whitsunday Backpacker Weekend
Whitsunday Backpacker Weekend
Bowen – Airlie Beach
The Whitsunday coastline has long been
a popular attraction for backpackers and
working holidaymakers from Australia and
around the world. The promise of fruit
picking work coupled with the allure of long
sandy beaches and the nomadic lifestyle
make this stretch of coastline the perfect
Oasis for the budget traveller. From the
place made famous from Baz Luhrmann’s
‘Australia’ film, Bowen and its Big Mango
down to Airlie Beach, a popular backpacker
destination, this drive tour will leave you
wishing the weekend was so much longer.
Horseshoe Bay
Begin your tour at Bowen’s best known
beach – Horseshoe Bay along Horseshoe Bay
Road. Take a walk along the sand, which is
protected by two granite outcrops, or go for
a dip amongst the many fish species. This
beautiful location is a great spot for a picnic.
Alternatively, sit back, relax and soak up the
sunshine.
Mullers Lagoon (3.2km)
Make your way to Mullers Lagoon on
Soldiers Road which is situated on 23
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hectares of parkland in the heart of Bowen.
Rated as one of the most beautiful spots,
Mullers Lagoon features a botanical garden
and wetlands habitat. You can either stroll
around the lagoon or partake in some bird
watching – it’s the ideal location with 176
species calling the lagoon home.
The Bowen Jetty (2.4km)
Not only is Bowen famous for its delicious
mangoes, but was also featured in Baz
Luhrmann’s movie Australia. The Bowen
Jetty on Santa Barbara Parade was a big
drawcard for Baz when choosing a location
to shoot the movie. The picturesque spot
was used to recreate the Darwin harbour,
which, as the movie shows, was bombed
during World War II. It’s also a popular
fishing spot, so throw in a line and wait for
a nibble.
Flagstaff Hill (2.9km)
Not far from the Bowen Jetty on Margaret
Reynolds Drive is Flagstaff Hill which offers
360 degree panoramic views of Bowen.
It’s said to be one of the best sea views in
Queensland, so it’s no wonder the Australia
cast and crew were often spotted up here.
Perched on top of Flagstaff Hill is the aptly
named restaurant Three Sixty providing an
idyllic setting to have a bite to eat while
enjoying the surroundings. With views
over the town of Bowen and out to the
Whitsunday Islands, there are few more
stunning spots to stop for a meal.
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Jochhiems Pies (3.6km)
Jochhiems Pies at 49 George Street has become famous in Bowen for the place where the
idea to shoot the movie here was sold to Baz Luhrmann. Try the Hunky Hugh Jackman pie,
Baz Luhrmann baguette or the Nicole Kidman mango cheesecake.
Bowen Historical Museum (600m)
Bowen is North Queensland’s oldest town so there is a lot of history to tell and the museum
at 22 Gordon Street has been described as one of the best country museums in the state.
The history of the town and surrounding area can be traced through the different displays
starting with the geology of the district, the early aboriginal inhabitance to Captain Sinclair
and the early settlers. There are shipwrecks including relics from the “Gothenburg” which
sank off Bowen in 1875 with a loss of more than 100 lives.
Big Mango (7.4km)
As you head south out of town on the Bruce Highway, stop to admire Bowen’s icon, the Big
Mango. It pays homage to the town’s famous ‘Bowen Mangoes’ and is a popular photograph
opportunity by tourists visiting Bowen or just passing through on the Bruce Highway. You
will find it next to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre where you can also buy some
souveniers and mango ice-cream.
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Proserpine (60.3km)
Proserpine is the service centre for the
Whitsundays region. Although it has many
modern facilities (including a hospital,
schools, library and sporting facilities), the
town’s Main Street is a reminder of how
life used to be - particularly the ‘art deco’
period evident in the shop architecture.
You will find an excellent counter lunch at
any of the Main Street pubs and there are
pleasant picnic grounds at Pioneer Park
near the town entrance, Mill Street Park
and the Cultural Centre.
Cedar Creek Falls (7.7km)
A little detour on your way to Airlie
Beach is the picturesque Cedar Creek
Falls. Located on Saltwater Creek Road
off Conway Road, these waterfalls are
spectacular
in the wet season and offer a year-round
natural swimming pool at the base of
the falls. They are set in a natural rock
amphitheatre, and the flora and fauna will
amaze you. Majestic Alexandra Palms line the
creek as it continues its journey to the ocean.
Airlie Beach (18.1km)
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the
Whitsundays and is a cosmopolitan and
vibrant town filled with palm-fringed
beaches, waterfront parks and alfresco
dining restaurants. Airlie Beach is the
epitome of a beach town; you’ll instantly feel
the carefree attitude emanating from every
space. After sunset, you will find a thriving
energy exuding from the bars and nightclubs
where backpackers and travellers party
together well into the night.
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Cactus Jacks
Cactus Jacks on the Esplanade at the Airlie
Beach Hotel is the best value eating and
drinking in Airlie Beach. From the minute
you arrive, you find yourself immersed in
memorabilia and interesting artefacts that
help create a unique dining experience.
You can chose to dine alfresco on the deck
on the esplanade (absolute beachfront)
or inside amid the colourfully adorned
walls. Tantalise your taste buds with their
signature dishes - try the sizzling fajitas or
have them fire up your meal on the Grill.
There’s a range of accommodation suitable
for all travellers.
Airlie Beach YHA
A variety of comfortable and clean multi
share rooms are available at Airlie Beach
YHA at 394 Shute Harbour Road. There are
multi-share, double and twin rooms with
keyless entry, air-conditioning, linen and wifi internet access. Some have ensuites and
some have shared bathroom facilities. Airlie
Beach YHA is located close to the swimming
lagoon, restaurants, cafes and nightlife that
Airlie has to offer.
Base Airlie Beach Resort
This newly renovated hostel is set in six acres
of lush tropical gardens at 336 Shute Harbour
Road. They are located only 50 metres from
the famous Lagoon and close to shops,
restaurants, cafes and bars. They offer a
clean, safe and secure, and fun environment.
Their laid back friendly staff will make you
feel right at home.
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Airlie Beach Magnums Backpackers
Magnums at 366 Shute Harbour Road is an ‘over 18 years only’ budget holiday retreat in the
heart of the beautiful Whitsundays. Magnums is within walking distance of restaurants, pubs
and nightclubs in Airlie beach. Their affordable accommodation styles include dorm rooms,
deluxe cabins and private rooms which are surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens. Their
rooms have air-conditioning, ceiling fans and linen provided.
Beaches Backpackers Airlie Beach
Beaches Backpackers is at 356 Shute Harbour Road, just across from the waterfront and the
town’s man-made lagoon. Beaches’ central position and popular bar and restaurant provides
nightly entertainment and offers the best of Airlie’s famous nightlife. There are eight share
dormitory rooms, and private double or twin rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom,
television, mini-fridge and air conditioning.
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Recover from the night before at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, situated in the centre of Airlie
Beach. With no admission fee, the lagoon is surrounded by grassy knolls, perfect for a spot
of sunbathing, or finding a quiet spot in the shade to read a book. The sandy beach area at
one end provides a safe stinger free environment.
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Mount Rooper Circuit and Swamp Bay
Track
If you’re feeling active head to the Mount
Rooper Circuit in Conway National Park
via Shute Harbour Road, which passes
through low woodland growing in shallow,
stony clay soils. Lophostemons, grass
trees and wattles are prominent. Mount
Rooper Lookout has a panoramic vista of
the Whitsunday Passage and islands, and
if you’re up for a hike, a two kilometre
track connects to the Swamp Bay track
where open forest gives way to lowland
rainforest. A rocky outcrop halfway down
this track forms a natural lookout over
Swamp Bay.
Water-based activities
Airlie Beach is the launching pad for
many water-based activities around the
Whitsunday islands from sailing, jetskiing,
snorkelling and scuba diving there are many
endeavours and tour companies to choose
from. If you would like a great experience
that is actually helping to conserve the
environment of the area try Eco Barge Clean
Seas Inc which offers volunteers a unique,
hands-on conservation experience spending
the day picking up marine debris on the
beaches and coastlines.
Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland
unless otherwise stated.
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