Pricing And Reviews
Not all booking sites show the same deals. Below, you can make a secure booking, compare prices, check availability, and read reviews across the most popular and trusted tour booking platforms in Australia.
Discover Airlie Beach's Hidden Gems with an Award-Winning Local Guide
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Driftwood Tours
Duration:
3 hours
Meeting Point:
Airlie Beach Lagoon bus stop (next to bridge)
Phone:
0413 234 524
Departure Times:
9:30am or 1:30pm daily
Group Size:
Maximum 11 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Marinas Visited
Shute Harbour, Coral Sea Marina
Beaches & Lookouts
Cannonvale Beach, Mandalay Point, Hilltop Lookout
Local Highlights
Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill, scenic viewpoints
Departure Location & How to Get There
Meeting Point
Airlie Beach Lagoon bus stop (next to canal walkway bridge)
From Town Centre
Located in the heart of Airlie Beach (5 min walk from main street)
Hotel Pickup
Free pickup from most accommodations (please wait at reception or driveway)
Parking
Public parking available at Airlie Beach Lagoon car park
About Airlie Beach Sightseeing Explorer
Airlie Beach Sightseeing Explorer is a mainland tour operated by Driftwood Tours, departing from Airlie Beach Lagoon in the heart of Airlie Beach. The 3-hour sightseeing tour explores Shute Harbour, Mandalay Point, Hilltop Lookout, Cannonvale Beach, and Coral Sea Marina, with your expert guide Cherene Poidevin sharing local stories and history throughout.
Driftwood Tours is the 2023 winner of Best New Tour Business at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards and has earned the Best of Queensland Experiences badge with a perfect 100% score. Founder Cherene Poidevin is a qualified Savannah Guide with over 30 years of experience in outdoor recreation and tourism. This small-group experience maxes out at just 11 passengers, so you get personalised attention and insider knowledge that the big coach tours simply can't offer.
Perfect for anyone wanting to see the best of Airlie Beach without hiring a car. The air-conditioned bus is super comfortable, and Cherene takes you to hidden spots that most visitors never find. Many guests book this tour on their first day in Airlie Beach because it's a brilliant orientation to the area - you'll learn where the best photo spots are, which beaches are worth visiting, and get recommendations for restaurants and activities. Cherene's also fantastic about taking photos for you at each stop, which solo travellers especially appreciate.
What Guests Are Saying
"My Husband and I were so pleased we were referred to Driftwood Tours. Cherene was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable, and went above and beyond. We had the best time on our Airlie Beach Explorer tour. We got to see parts of the town that we never would have found on our own, not to mention the amazing views. Highly recommended!"
TripAdvisor
"What an excellent tour! I did the Airlie Beach Explorer tour and was blown away with how many great, land-based spots there are around Airlie! Cherene was a passionate and knowledgeable tour guide - she really knows her stuff! This is a great tour to do on your first day as it shows you all the local spots. The bus is super comfortable with great air con. A fantastic way to do something different around the Whitsundays! 10/10"
TripAdvisor
"Cherene was exceptionally friendly and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Airlie area. Cherene exceeded expectations to guarantee a great day. Highly recommended. Cherene provides great opportunities for photos."
Google Reviews
Good to know: This is a cruise ship friendly tour, with departure times designed to fit shore excursion schedules. The small group size means tours can book out quickly, especially during peak season, so it's worth booking ahead.
What's Included
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Air-Conditioned Bus
Comfortable 11-seater vehicle
Expert Local Guide
Qualified Savannah Guide
Photo Opportunities
Multiple scenic stops
Local Commentary
History, culture, and insider tips
Small Group
Maximum 11 guests
The Experience
The Airlie Beach Sightseeing Explorer is the perfect way to get your bearings in the Whitsundays without spending hours on boat-based tours. In just 3 hours, you'll see the highlights and hidden gems of the mainland area, with plenty of photo stops and insider knowledge about where to eat, drink, and explore during your stay.
Your Itinerary
Pickup: Free pickup available from your accommodation in Airlie Beach, or meet at the Airlie Beach Lagoon bus stop next to the bridge. Cherene drives the white Driftwood Tours bus with the company logo on the side - you can't miss it.
Shute Harbour: Your first stop is Shute Harbour, the main departure point for Whitsunday Islands cruises. Cherene takes you to a lookout spot where you'll get sweeping views across parts of the Whitsunday Islands, including glimpses of Whitsunday Island and surrounding islands. You'll hear about the Indigenous and European history of the islands and the rich forest of Conway National Park that surrounds the harbour.
Mandalay Point: This hidden gem is a quiet local spot with front-on views over Airlie Beach and the surrounding waters. It's the kind of place most tourists never find unless they have a car or a local guide. Perfect photo opportunity and a great spot to just soak in the scenery.
Hilltop Lookout: The best bird's eye view over Airlie Beach - this is definitely the wow moment of the tour. From up here you can see the whole town layout, the marina, the beaches, and the blue waters beyond. Cherene explains the geography and points out landmarks so you know where everything is.
Cannonvale Beach: A quieter local beach that shows you another angle of the Whitsundays. This is where locals come to relax, and it's another possible spot to visit if you're staying longer in Airlie Beach and want to escape the crowds.
Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill: Drive past this popular waterfront venue - Cherene gives you the inside scoop on the best times to visit and what to order when you do.
Coral Sea Marina: Your final stop is Coral Sea Marina, the other main departure point for boat tours and the location of Sorrento Restaurant. This beautiful marina precinct is worth exploring on foot after your tour - plenty of restaurants, cafes, and boat charter operators here.
Return: You'll be dropped back to your accommodation or the Airlie Beach Lagoon meeting point. Throughout the tour, Cherene shares fascinating stories about plants, trees, animals, local history, and gives you insider tips on the best restaurants, bars, and activities in the area.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations between 12-24 hours receive a 50% refund. No refunds for cancellations within 12 hours or no-shows. Tours run in all weather conditions. Book directly with Driftwood Tours for the best availability.
What to Bring
Camera or phone for photos (this tour is all about the views), sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. Bring a bottle of water if you like, though the bus is air-conditioned so you'll be comfortable. A sense of humour and adventure is recommended - Cherene's personality makes this tour extra fun.
Who Can Come
Minimum age is 4 years old. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels since you're mostly in the air-conditioned bus with short walks at lookout points. Not wheelchair accessible, but pushchair accessible and service animals are allowed. Perfect for families, couples, solo travellers, and cruise ship passengers wanting to maximise their time ashore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Airlie Beach Sightseeing Explorer depart from?
The tour departs from the Airlie Beach Lagoon bus stop, or free pickup is available from your accommodation.
Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?
Absolutely - the tour times are specifically designed to fit cruise ship shore excursion schedules, and pickup from the cruise terminal is available.
What's the group size on this tour?
Maximum 11 guests, ensuring a personalised small-group experience with plenty of interaction with your guide.
Do we visit Whitehaven Beach on this tour?
No, this is a mainland tour exploring Airlie Beach and surrounds. For Whitehaven Beach, check out Whitehaven Beach tours.
What makes Driftwood Tours different from other sightseeing tours?
Small groups (max 11), a qualified Savannah Guide with 30+ years experience, and genuine local knowledge that brings the area to life.
More Mainland Tours from Airlie Beach
If you're interested in exploring more of the mainland Whitsundays, Driftwood Tours offers several other award-winning experiences including waterfall tours, Bowen discovery tours, and sunrise kangaroo encounters. For water-based adventures, check out day tours to the islands and reef, or browse all tours departing from Airlie Beach.
Why Trust This Guide?
We're Airlie Beach locals who've called the Whitsundays home since 2001. Over more than two decades living and working in this stunning corner of tropical North Queensland, we've personally experienced the tours, walked every street, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
Driftwood Tours has earned an impeccable reputation since starting in 2017. Cherene Poidevin is a certified Savannah Guide and EcoGuide with 30 years of experience, and her tours have won multiple awards including Best New Tour Business at the 2023 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. The perfect 5.0/5.0 rating across both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews speaks volumes - guests consistently rave about the personal attention, local knowledge, and genuine passion Cherene brings to every tour.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
Ready to Book? Check Real-Time Availability
Compare prices across trusted booking platforms to find the best deal
View Booking OptionsWe may earn a small commission when you book through these links at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep providing free local travel guides.