| Airlie Beach Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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 Airlie Beach | |||||||||||||||
  Airlie Beach | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 20°16′28″S148°42′54″E / 20.2744°S 148.715°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,312 (2021 census) [1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4802 | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Whitsunday Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Whitsunday | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Dawson | ||||||||||||||
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Airlie Beach is a coastal locality and resort town in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. [2] In the 2021 census, Airlie Beach had a population of 1,312 people. [1]
Airlie Beach is one of many departure points for the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise ships visit the area, anchoring offshore while passengers are transported via ship's tender to the marina. [3] Near latitude 20 degrees south, Airlie Beach, Proserpine and the nearby Whitsunday Islands enjoy a tropical climate and lifestyle. [4]
The Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road (State Route 59) passes through the locality from west to east. [5]
Each year the residents of Airlie Beach celebrate The Blessing of the Fleet on Whitsunday or Pentecost Sunday. [6]
The name derived from the former town of Airlie and unbounded locality of Airlie Beach. Airlie was named following a request by the Lands Department in December 1935 for the Proserpine Shire Council to provide a name for a new sub-division on the coast. [2] It is almost certain that the town was named for the parish of Airlie, in Scotland, as the name was suggested by the chairman of the former Proserpine Shire Council, Robert Shepherd, who was born in nearby Montrose, Scotland. The official name was Airlie from 1936 until 1987, when it was amalgamated into the larger town of Whitsunday while Airlie Beach became the official name of the locality. [2] [7]
Airlie Beach Post Office opened on 2 November 1959. [8]
In December 1956, 18 allotments were offered for auction as Perpetual Town Leases by the Department of Public Lands office. The map advertising the auction states the allotments were situated approximately 15 miles north-east of Proserpine. [9]
Busking was made legal in June 2010 through an adopted draft policy created by Whitsunday Regional Council. [10] [11] [12] [13]
In the 2010s, there were several shark attacks off the coast of Airlie Beach. In 2018, there were 2 near fatal attacks and another attack occurred on 29 October 2019. [14] [15] [16]
Airlie Beach has a high number of residents working in the tourism and hospitality industries and in 2020 the town was named one of the most likely Australian towns to suffer for the longest from the economic downturn caused by the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. [17]
At the 2016 census, the locality of Airlie Beach had a population of 1,208. 50.9% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was England at 9.2%. 71.2% of people only spoke English at home. The most common response for religion was No Religion at 34.7% of the population. [18]
In the 2021 census, Airlie Beach had a population of 1,312 people. [1]
There are no schools in Airlie Beach. The nearest government primary school is Cannonvale State School in neighbouring Cannonvale to the west. The nearest government secondary school is Proserpine State High School in Proserpine to the south-west. [19]
There are two marinas in Airlie Beach:
There are two boat ramps, both managed by the Whitsunday Regional Council:
Airlie Beach Water Police Station is at 38 Shingley Drive ( 20°15′58″S148°42′47″E / 20.2661°S 148.7130°E ). [22] The station's area of responsibility extends from Cape Upstart to north to St Lawrence to the south. [23]
Annually, The Great Barrier Reef Festival is held in Airlie Beach and includes attractions ranging from fireworks on the foreshore to live music by local artists. The event is hosted by local company Cruise Whitsundays. [24]
In November each year, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music is held in the area and spans over multiple days. The event includes both Australian and international musicians that play throughout the festival. [25]
Bowen is a coastal town and locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Bowen had a population of 11,205 people.
Shute Harbour is a coastal locality and harbour in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. It has port facilities and transport options for people seeking to access the Whitsunday Islands and holiday destinations.
Proserpine is a rural town and locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Proserpine had a population of 3,614 people.
The Whitsunday Region is a local government area located in North Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by two previous local government areas with a history extending back to the establishment of regional local government in Queensland in 1879.
Cannonvale is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Cannonvale had a population of 6,596 people.
Bloomsbury is a town and coastal locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Bloomsbury had a population of 539 people.
Midge Point is a coastal town and rural locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Midge Point had a population of 435 people.
Laguna Quays is a coastal locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Laguna Quays had a population of 89 people.
Cape Conway is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Cape Conway had "no people or a very low population".
Whitsundays is an island group locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. It consists of the Whitsunday Group of islands off the Queensland east coast in the Coral Sea, which is a mix of inhabited and uninhabited islands. In the 2021 census, Whitsundays had a population of 2,281 people.
Flametree is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Flametree had a population of 143 people.
Mandalay is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Mandalay had a population of 338 people.
Jubilee Pocket is a residential locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Jubilee Pocket had a population of 2,047 people.
Cannon Valley is a semi-rural locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Cannon Valley had a population of 1,131 people.
Woodwark is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Woodwark had a population of 559 people.
Cape Gloucester is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Cape Gloucester had a population of 85 people.
Dingo Beach is a coastal rural locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Dingo Beach had a population of 159 people.
Hideaway Bay, also spelled Hydeaway Bay, is a coastal town and locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Hideaway Bay had a population of 232 people.
Preston is a rural locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Preston had a population of 346 people.
Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road is a continuous 34.3 kilometres (21.3 mi) road route in the Whitsunday local government area of Queensland, Australia. The route is designated as State Route 59. It is a state-controlled regional road.
