QLD · 4802

Airlie Beach

Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Airlie Beach, QLD 4802.

Airlie Beach, QLD 4802

About Airlie Beach

Welcome to Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is the buzzing heart of the Whitsundays, perched on the Coral Sea coastline in North Queensland with the islands of the Whitsunday group scattered just offshore. It's less a commuter suburb than a destination in its own right, built around the business of getting people out onto the water and looking after them well when they're back on dry land.

With a resident population of just 1,312 and a median age of 41, Airlie Beach carries a permanent community far smaller than its reputation suggests — most of the crowd on any given day is visiting rather than living here. That mix suits owners chasing a holiday rental income, grey nomads and retirees drawn to the climate and pace, and locals who work in tourism, hospitality or marine services and want to live close to where the action is.

Lifestyle & dining

The Airlie Beach Lagoon and the beachfront boardwalk are the town's social spine, drawing a steady stream of walkers, swimmers and sunset-watchers, while the main strip along Shute Harbour Road is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes that punch well above their weight for a town this size. It's a lifestyle built around the outdoors and the water — sailing, diving and reef trips leave daily from the marina, and the nightlife has long made Airlie Beach the social capital of the Whitsundays.

Despite the holiday energy, there's a genuine community underneath it, with locals mixing with grey nomads, backpackers and sailing crews. The pace suits people who want warm weather, casual dining and an active, outdoor-focused routine over a quiet suburban rhythm.

Getting around

Airlie Beach sits close to Whitsunday Coast Airport, which connects the region to major eastern capitals, and the Proserpine to Shute Harbour corridor links the town to neighbouring Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Mandalay, Woodwark and Flametree. Shute Harbour, a short drive away, is the departure point for ferries and vessels heading out to the islands, and much of local life revolves around that stretch of road connecting the beach, the marina and the surrounding residential pockets.

A car remains the most practical way to get around, particularly for reaching the wider Whitsundays coast, though the town centre itself is compact and walkable for anyone based near the foreshore.

Parks & recreation

The Airlie Beach Lagoon is the obvious drawcard, a free saltwater-style swimming lagoon fringed by lawns and shade that functions as the town's default gathering spot. Beyond the lagoon, the coastal boardwalk, the marina precinct and the surrounding hinterland offer walking tracks and lookouts with views over the islands.

For residents, the real recreational drawcard is what lies just offshore — the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, both easily reached by boat from the town's marina, making Airlie Beach as much a base for outdoor adventure as a place to settle down.

Housing & architecture

Airlie Beach's housing stock reflects its tourism-driven economy: current listings are dominated by apartments and units (54%), with land (31%) making up much of the rest and houses (13%) and townhouses (1%) in shorter supply. Much of the built form is low-rise apartment and resort-style development geared towards holiday letting, interspersed with elevated houses taking advantage of hillside water views.

Buyers looking for a standalone house or larger block often look to the surrounding suburbs of Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Mandalay, Woodwark and Flametree, where land is more readily available and the character shifts to a more conventional residential feel.

The property market

The median unit and apartment price in Airlie Beach currently sits at $635,000, reflecting the dominance of apartment and unit stock in a market where holiday-letting demand plays a significant role in pricing. With land making up close to a third of current listings, there's also a steady pipeline of buyers looking to build rather than buy established.

The small, tightly held nature of the town — a population of just over 1,300 — means supply can be limited relative to demand, particularly for well-located apartments near the lagoon and marina. Buyers should weigh up lifestyle and rental potential alongside the practicalities of owning in a market so closely tied to tourism cycles.

Market snapshot

Airlie Beach property market

Median price ranks #2,997 of 3,797 suburbs · pricier than 21%
Bedrooms

Median sale price

$635k

Unit · 2 bed

Median rent

$700

per week

Gross rental yield

5.7%

annual rent ÷ sale price

Typical price range

Entry

$467k

Median

$635k

Premium

$1.15m

Days on market

34

Auction clearance

0%

Sold this year

64

Median sold price trend · Unit 2 bed

Compound growth +15.2% / yr over 4 yrs

Median price by bedrooms · Unit

Property types on market

Share of current listings in Airlie Beach by dwelling type.

Apartment / Unit54%
Land31%
House13%
Townhouse1%

Who lives here

Demographics

ABS Census 2021 figures for Airlie Beach, QLD 4802.

Population

1,312

residents (2021)

Median age

41

years

Household income

$1,562

median, per week

Median rent

$380

per week

Median mortgage

$1,925

per month

Mortgage / income

28%

comfortable

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.

Recent results

Recently sold in Airlie Beach

$635k

24/15 Flame Tree Court

apartment2 bd · 2 ba · 2 car

Sold ~July 2026

$1.38m

21 Stonehaven Court

house3 bd · 2 ba · 2 car

Sold ~July 2026

$680k

1/2 Lewis Street

townhouse2 bd · 2 ba · 1 car

Sold ~July 2026

$1.15m

104/33 Port Drive

apartment2 bd · 2 ba · 1 car

Sold ~July 2026

$750k

4/26-34 Raintree Place

apartment3 bd · 1 car

Sold ~June 2026

$1.25m

18/18 Seaview Drive

apartment2 bd · 1 car

Sold ~June 2026

$1.25m

18 Marina View Court

house4 bd · 2 car

Sold ~June 2026

$750k

19/144 Shingley Drive

apartment4 bd · 2 car

Sold ~June 2026

Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.

Explore the area

Properties & amenities in Airlie Beach

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Compare the area

Price map around Airlie Beach

Every listing for sale near Airlie Beach, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.

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Airlie BeachNearby suburbs

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Common questions

Airlie Beach suburb FAQ

What is the median property price in Airlie Beach?

The median unit price in Airlie Beach, QLD is $635k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 14.3%.

How much is rent in Airlie Beach?

The median weekly rent in Airlie Beach is around $700 per week.

Is Airlie Beach a good place to live?

Airlie Beach is a coastal locality and resort town in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. Airlie Beach is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 1,312.

What is the population of Airlie Beach?

Airlie Beach has a population of 1,312 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 41.

How long do homes take to sell in Airlie Beach?

Properties in Airlie Beach take around 34 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.

How much do you need to buy in Airlie Beach?

Entry-level properties in Airlie Beach start around $467k, while premium homes reach $1.15m.

What suburbs are near Airlie Beach?

Suburbs near Airlie Beach include Jubilee Pocket, Cannonvale, Mandalay, Woodwark and Flametree.

Available now

Properties in Airlie Beach

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For Sale
Offers over
apartment
StMate est. ~$665k

A Panorama You'll Never Tire Of

30/16 Golden Orchid Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
221209 m²
Belle Property Whitsundays2 weeks ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
$595,000
apartment

Boutique Apartment - Top Floor - Ocean Views

7/9 Hermitage Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
212142 m²
Ray White Whitsunday2 weeks ago
Ask AI about this property
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NewFor Sale
$600,000
apartment

Your Coastal Escape Awaits At Shingley Beach

1/115 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
211106 m²
Ray White Whitsunday2 days ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
Contact agent
land

Approved and Ready to Build

22 Marina View Court, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
772 m²
Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty - Whitsundays1 month ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
Offers over
land

North Facing Waterfront Gem

Lot 1 The Cove, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
615 m²
Ray White Whitsunday1 month ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
Offers over
apartment

UNDER CONTRACT BY NICHOLE KINNISH - Waterfront Elegance With Uninterrupted Marina Views

14/115 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
321171 m²
Ray White Whitsunday1 month ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
$315,000
land

605sqm of Pure Whitsunday Potential

19 Cumberland Court, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
605 m²
Belle Property Whitsundays1 month ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
$1.15m
apartment

One-of-a-Kind Sky Home Penthouse | Unmatched Island Views | Five Balconies | Rare Airlie Beach Offering

9/14 Golden Orchid Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
322178 m²
Belle Property Whitsundays2 months ago
Ask AI about this property
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NewFor Sale
Offers over
apartment
StMate est. ~$595k

Every Room Has A Favourite Feature

7/26-34 Raintree Place, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
221114 m²
Belle Property Whitsundays2 days ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
$850,000
apartment

Your Front Row Seat to the Whitsundays

23/2 Nara Avenue, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
322120 m²
McGrath Whitsunday1 week ago
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For Sale
$646,000
apartment

Spacious Tropical Living with Coral Sea Views in The Summit, Airlie Beach

39/15 Flame Tree Court, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
222152 m²
Belle Property Whitsundays1 month ago
Ask AI about this property
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For Sale
$1.12m
apartment

Price Adjustment Apartment 12 Marina Shores

12/159 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
322183 m²
Ray White Whitsunday3 months ago
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