• Brief description: Airlie Beach has become famous as the point of departure for the famous Whitsundays Islands. It's a bustling place, full of backpackers and people interested in visiting the islands. Take the opportunity this afternoon/night to finish making the arrangements for tomorrow's and Hervey Bay's day trips, and then go out for a drink or dinner in one of the many restaurants.
• How to get there: take the return ferry to Townsville and get on Bruce Highway again and head south towards Prosperpine. In 230 km and before you come to Prosperpine, you'll see a road on the left for Gregory Cannon Valley Road. At the end of this road turn left onto Proserpine Shute Harbour Rd. At the end of this road you'll come to a roundabout that will take you to Airlie Beach. It's about 4 hours from Townsville. Drop the rental car off when you get there, since tomorrow morning we recommend making a day trip to the Whitsundays Islands.