Audrey Abroad: Top Five Things In Airlie Beach

Often in my holiday planning I forget to explore the beautiful country we’re blessed with and tend to book flights away. It seems crazy though, considering we are one of top the tourist destinations in the world…home to drop bears and hoop snakes (shhh) and some of the most beautiful beaches and reefs in the world.

As you all know I am big on supporting local businesses, labels and entrepreneurs so when the lovely team from Tourism and Events Queensland contacted me to explore Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays with them, I couldn’t say no (seriously, who would say no??).

So last week I bid adieu to my fiance and puppy Ellie, and hopped on a Virgin Australia plane that touched down in the sunny haven that is Proserpine Airport, a short drive from Airlie Beach. I was joined by my lovely fellow Melbournian bloggers Erica of MelbourneGirl, Gaynor of Modern Womens Survival Guide as well as our amazing host Shelley, from Tourism and Events Queensland, and I have to say my eyes are open to a realm of new experiences having met these lovely women.

Suffice to say, by the end of my trip I was completely and utterly enamored with Airlie. The people are kinder, the days longer, the drinks taller. Everything moves in slow motion compared to the city and I found myself really starting to relax and wind down. Every hour is cocktail o’clock and that’s just the way I like it.

Sometimes a girls weekend away is all you need…and when it involves spa dates, yachts and snorkeling its even better.

Check out our top five things to do in Airlie Beach, and stay tuned for more (including our seaplane ride and snorkeling…there is too much awesome to share for just one post!).

One.

Get yourself on a yacht. Seriously. As soon as we arrived at Airlie Beach we checked in at our pads at the Airlie Beach Hotel and then popped straight off to the Abell Point Marina to meet our skipper Christophe, from Queensland Yacht Charters.

Thus began my weekend of feeling like Yeezy and Jay Z- sailing off into the sunset of an enormous yacht that sleeps 8 people sipping on Veuve and eating french cheese. Like. A. Boss.

You can literally book one of these bad boys with yourself and seven friends for a crazy reasonable price and actually just sail between the islands, fishing off the sides and cooking on the stern’s outdoor BBQ. I am currently in the process of trying to rope friends into this for next year!

Two.

Spa dates are a must. I always have the best intentions of booking massages for me at home, but I never seem to get around to it.

The four of us girls made a little detour to Endota Day Spa Airlie Beach which is attached to the beautiful Peppers resort. Gaynor and I had a lovely massage (I like my massages firm and this was perfect) and I could have stayed all day getting pampered with facials and pedi’s but…cocktails were calling.

The best part? Walking out of our session feeling like I wad floating…you all know that post-pampering feeling and grabbing a mango daiquiri and lounging poolside at Peppers while the others had their session. Win. win.

Three.

Get yourselves a cocktail. I may have already mentioned the cocktails but the abundance of fresh fruit and the tropical climate lends itself to cocktails. By the pool, at the beach, at dinner…

Top cocktails to try include the mango daiquiri served to us on the beach no less at Montes Reef Resort and the world famous mojitos at Fish D’Vine. Trust me, they definitely live up to their name!

Four.

There’s always time for shopping.

I love shopping, its a fact. Airlie Beach may not be home to couture, but it does host a huge number of chic surfwear and summer boutiques as well as a weekend markets that offers up everything from bikinis to souvenirs and more. I picked up some great summer maxi’s a few bikini’s and some sandals, and I know my fellow fashion loving bloggers also went a little shopping crazy too (I’m looking at you Erica).

Five.

Unwind and enjoy the sun, sand and surf.

After our seaplane and snorkeling (tales of which I will regale you later on) we took to some relaxing sun soaking. Not to mention our time at Hideaway Bay and morning swims in the Airlie Beach lagoon.

Whitehaven Beach (which we reached by seaplane, but which can also be reached by boat) was quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I have EVER visited with crystal clear turquoise waters, sparkling sand…and a cheeky glass of sparkling in hand.

Not to mention the sand is so fine, and has a certain type of silica in it that is actually perfect for polishing jewellery. I had to have a go with my engagement ring, and boy does it work!

Stay tuned for the next part of our Airlie Beach adventures…