RESPECT 1OUR HOME Welcome to Airlie Beach the Whitsundays coastal hub and your gateway to pristine national parks, the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the 74 islands. You ll find the locals are friendly and keen to share one of the most beautiful and ecologically sensitive spots on earth with you. Please do your part to respect and protect it.
REDUCE WASTE 2AND RECYCLE You can help keep Airlie Beach beautiful by: Using reusable bags rather than plastic bags, which can have devastating effects on marine life. Carrying a pocket ashtray to dispose of your cigarette butts ensuring they don t find their way into the coastal waters or the blowholes of dolphins. Using recycle bins and leaving national parks and beaches a little cleaner by picking up any litter or beach debris you find. BUY LOCAL 3You ll find great customer service in Airlie Beach so please support our local businesses that strive to provide quality goods and services especially geared to visitors. You can also do simple things like reducing food miles by buying local seafoods, fruit and vegies you re guaranteed freshness while supporting our restaurants, fisheries and farmers.
CARE FOR 4AIRLIE BEACH Please take care of our spectacular national parks and reserves our delicate fringing and offshore reefs and sheltered bays and beaches, which support a diverse range of animal and plant life. Be aware the area also contains important Aboriginal cultural sites and historic sites of European settlement days. If camping, please camp only in marked camping sites, take your rubbish with you, preferably use fuel stoves and don t collect firewood from beaches or dunes. Never use soap, toothpaste or detergents in the waterways as these promote the growth of algae and affect the purity of the water and aquatic life. When exploring national parks reduce your impact on native bushland by keeping to walking paths and not bringing any animals into the park. Reef and island day trips operating from Airlie Beach adopt commonsense responsible reef practices to protect and preserve the Marine Park for future generations to enjoy. The cost of your reef day tour will include a small Environmental Management Charge levied by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to assist in research, education and park management.
Try not to disturb birdlife watch your step to avoid crushing camouflaged eggs and chicks. If navigating your own vessel, look out for shallow coral and take into account tidal changes. Be on the look out for marine animals and travel slowly in areas where they are known to be. Slow down to minimise the wake when you re approaching reef edges, shorelines and beaches. Dispose of old nets, fishing line and old hooks responsibly. Avoid touching or relocating any animals or plants and standing on or touching the reef.
GO 5GREEN Airlie Beach is a unique and environmentally precious area in need of your respect and care. You can have fun, learn about the local flora and fauna and take great care while you re doing so. Be sure you have a minimum impact - leave only footprints and take only photographs and choose a savvy tour operator who is accredited under a recognised ecotourism program such as Eco Tourism Australia, Green Globe, Eco Biz and NABERS.
CARING FOR YOU Drive on the left hand side of the road and obey the speed limit. Always wear your seatbelt and never drink alcohol and drive. Going diving or snorkelling? Make sure you are fit to dive. When diving or snorkelling ALWAYS speak to the supervisor if you have any concerns and follow their instructions. Don t fly in a pressurised aircraft within 24 hours of your last dive. Be aware that jellyfish and potentially deadly irukandji are found in tropical waters off Airlie Beach, particularly during October to May. It s advised you wear a protective stinger suit or wet suit in the water. Alternatively, swim in Airlie Beach s lifesaver patrolled freshwater lagoon. Don t touch the reef, the sandy bottom or marine animals when snorkelling or diving. Use rest stations or flotation aids if you need to rest while snorkelling, avoid snorkelling into areas where the water is less than one metre deep and take care not to swim too close to boat ramps. Remember to drink plenty of water and protect your skin from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, cover up clothing and 30+ sunscreen and sit in the shade. Keep your belongings secure at all times don t leave them on show in your car.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS In an Emergency: Dial 000 (or 112 from a mobile phone) for Police, Fire, Ambulance Cannonvale Police Station, Ph: 07 4948 8888 Water Police, Ph: 07 4967 7211 For Visitor Information: Whitsundays Information Centre 192 Main Street Bruce Highway, Proserpine Ph: 07 4945 3711 Environment contacts: Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) Airlie Beach Cnr Shute Harbour & Mandalay Roads, Jubilee Pocket Ph: 07 4946 7022 Email: whitsundays@epa.qld.gov.au Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority www.gbrmpa.gov.au Ecodirectory www.ecodirectory.com.au CRC Reef Research Centre www.reef.crc.org.au