Airlie Beach is a coastal town in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. It is located on the mainland of the Whitsunday Coast, about 1,154 kilometres (716 mi) north of Brisbane. The town is a popular tourist destination and gateway to the Whitsunday Islands.
The area was first settled by Europeans in the late 19th century, when the first pastoral leases were taken up in the area. The town was originally known as Cannon Valley, after the Cannon family who were among the first settlers in the area. The name was changed to Airlie Beach in the 1930s, after the Airlie family who had a cattle station in the area.
The town began to develop in the 1950s, when the first hotel was built. The town was officially gazetted in 1958. In the 1960s, the town began to develop as a tourist destination, with the construction of the first marina in the area.
Today, Airlie Beach is a popular tourist destination, with a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, bars, and activities. It is also a popular destination for backpackers and young travellers.