Transport
Planes, trains and automobiles... there's plenty of transport options for your stay in the Whitsundays.
Getting Here
Road
The Whitsundays is accessible from Brisbane and Cairns by road via the Bruce Highway. Proserpine is approximately 620km south of Cairns and 1100 km north of Brisbane. Airlie Beach is then a short drive east from Proserpine.
Coaches
Greyhound provides several daily services to Airlie Beach. These services leave from Brisbane in the south and Cairns in the north towards Airlie Beach. Phone Greyhound on 13 20 30 for more information or check out their website at www.greyhound.com.au
Premier Motor Service also has daily services from Brisbane and Cairns to Airlie Beach. The coach from Brisbane arrives in the morning and the coach from Cairns arrives in the late afternoon. Phone Premier Motor Service on 13 34 10 for more information or check out their website at www.premierms.com.au
Train / Rail
The Tilt Train leaves Brisbane for Cairns on Monday and Friday evenings and arrives in Proserpine the following morning. ‘The Sunlander' runs Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and arrives in Proserpine early on the following day. Phone Traveltrain Holidays on 1300 131 722 for more information or check out their website at www.traveltrain.com.au
Airlines
The region is serviced by The Whitsunday Coast Airport and the Great Barrier Reef Airport (Hamilton Island). The Whitsunday Coast Airport, which is situated outside Proserpine, has domestic services from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart.
For more information on domestic flights visit:
Getting Around
Taxis
The Whitsundays' largest taxi fleet is Whitsunday Taxis. For taxi bookings phone 13 10 08.
Buses
The Whitsundays are well serviced with buses throughout the region. Contact Whitsunday Transit on (07) 4946 1800 or email them at info@whitsundaytransit.com.au for info about bus timetables and special services. For a number of years, RACQ Free2Go has sponsored free bus services for Schoolies at night. This is a great initiative, which helps to ensure the safety of Schoolies. The organisers of Whitsunday Schoolies Week are grateful for the support of RACQ Free2Go and Whitsunday Transit in providing this valuable service.
Vehicle Hire
Thinking of hiring a car or moped?
Read these tips to avoid getting ripped off:
- Check damage to the vehicle before you leave the premises and make sure existing damage is noted on the contract and initialed by the vehicle hire business. When you return the vehicle, have it inspected and note the condition on the contract.
- Get your own contract. Don't lend the car or moped to anyone.
- Read the contract carefully, including the fine print, and make sure you understand all terms and conditions, especially with regard to deposit and insurance information.
- If the trader doesn't offer third party insurance and it's not offered when requested - don't hire!
- Don't sign the contract if there is anything you don't understand or agree with.
- Don't shop on price alone - consider what you're getting for your money and compare like with like (especially the other charges involved). Shop around - you might find a better deal or more suitable contract.
- Make sure your driver's licence or learner's permit is current.
- If there is a problem, stop the vehicle straight away and contact the trader immediately. If you continue to drive you might be held liable for subsequent damage.
- Find out where you can and cannot drive the vehicle. Some hire vehicles (like mopeds) may be restricted to a fixed area and a certain number of kilometres.
For more information on vehicle hire or to lodge a complaint, contact the Office for Fair Trading on 1300 658 030 or visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
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