Campervan Hire Airlie Beach

Pick up your campervan in Airlie Beach and explore the Whitsundays, Cape Hillsborough, and drive north to Townsville or south to Mackay.

Campervan Hire in Airlie Beach — What You Need to Know

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and one of the most popular stopovers on the East Coast campervan trail. Picking up or dropping off your campervan here lets you break the Brisbane-to-Cairns journey at its most spectacular midpoint.

Most travellers park their van at one of Airlie Beach's caravan parks and spend a few days exploring the Whitsundays by boat — sailing trips to Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef are the main draw. When you're back on the road, the drive north to Townsville takes about three and a half hours, passing through Bowen (famous for its mangoes and beautiful beaches) and Ayr. From Townsville, you can catch the ferry to Magnetic Island for a day or two.

Heading south from Airlie Beach, Cape Hillsborough National Park is only about an hour's drive and is one of the few places in Australia where kangaroos and wallabies come down to the beach at sunrise — a genuinely magical sight. Continue south to Mackay and then inland to Eungella National Park, one of the best spots in Queensland to see wild platypus at dawn or dusk.

Airlie Beach has a smaller selection of campervan depots compared to capital cities, so availability can be limited — especially in peak season (June to September). If you're planning a one-way hire from Brisbane or Cairns with a drop-off in Airlie Beach, check availability early. The town itself is compact, with a free public lagoon, plenty of backpacker hostels, and a relaxed tropical atmosphere.