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Airlie Beach is not only the gateway to the Whitsundays but a destination in itself.
If you’re considering a self-driving tour, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve found unbeatable deals on car hire, listed important road rules and unmissable driving routes, and answered some frequently asked questions about car hire in Airlie Beach.
Available on all rentals from February - March 2021 across Australia, including Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals from 1 February - 15 December 2021 across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of one consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Must include a Saturday night keep. T&Cs apply.
Join the Emerald Club and earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental. Inclusive of free rental days and other benefits. Destinations include Australia, Canada, United States and more. T&Cs apply.
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
Available on select rental dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle and more. Sample rate is for a Flexi Delish in Baldivis, WA. T&Cs apply.
There's also a Europcar, Hertz and Avis in Airlie Beach town.
Road rules: What to know about driving in Airlie Beach
Drive on the left-hand side of the road. This applies everywhere in Australia.
The default speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h. In rural areas it is 100km/h, unless otherwise indicated, and on highways it is 110km/h.
Beware of wildlife. Many kinds of wildlife, some endangered, are frequently found on or near roads. Drive with caution, especially at dusk and late at night. If you see an injured animal, safely pull over, wrap it in a towel and call the RSPCA on 1300 264 625.
Give way to horses. If someone in control of a horse raises their hand and gestures to the horse, you should pull over onto the side of the road, turn your engine off and leave it off until the horse is far enough away not to be startled by the car’s engine or movement.
Frequently asked questions about car hire in Airlie Beach
I'm on my provisional licence. Can I drive in Airlie Beach?
Yes. However, you must obey Queensland’s rules and restrictions for drivers with a provisional licence.
How does car insurance work?
You will probably be offered rental car insurance by your car rental company. However, you can also purchase insurance through another provider.
And if you have travel insurance, you may already have hire car insurance included as part of your policy. However you insure your hire car, it’s important to select an excess amount that suits your budget, even eliminating the excess altogether if you so choose.
To learn more about hire car insurance and compare policies, click here.
Popular Airlie Beach driving routes
Cedar Creek Falls. Just 35 minutes from Airlie Beach you'll find a seasonal waterfall tumbling down a cliff to a year-round swimming hole. Jump back in the car and drive on to Conway Beach and Wilson Beach, where you can go fishing, crabbing, swimming or kite surfing. There's no rush to get back, either – spend the night at a campsite for a real taste of nature.
Bowen. Drive an hour north from Airlie Beach and you'll reach the historic town of Bowen. Attractions include the Big Mango visitor information centre, Flagstaff Hill lookout, humpback and minke whale watching in the winter months, Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail, Queens Beach and the golf course alongside, and the beautiful Horseshoe Bay.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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