Turtle Boardwalk, Airlie Beach

Golden-hour strolling with ocean views for days

If you like your exercise with a view, start at the Coral Sea Marina end and wander the Turtle Boardwalk section of Airlie Beach’s Bicentennial Boardwalk. It’s the shiny coastal path that cruises along Pioneer Bay, past boats and palms, with water so clear you’ll swear it’s showing off. The full boardwalk runs roughly 3.7 km between the Airlie Beach Lagoon and Cannonvale Beach, and the “Turtle” stretch is the most photogenic slice of the lot.

Where to start (and where to park)

Park near Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday on Shingley Drive, just past the police station. From there you can step straight onto the wide, sturdy boardwalk and head seaside with zero street faffing. It’s flat, accessible, and easy to follow whether you’re power-walking or strolling with an iced coffee and questionable willpower.

Why “Turtle” Boardwalk

This pocket of bay is a known hangout for sea turtles. Scan the glassy patches between moorings and you’ll sometimes spot a shell breaking the surface for air. Dawn and dusk are your best bet, and the stiller the water, the better the chance. Be cool, give wildlife space, and let them do their turtle business without interruptions.

Sunset that borders on ridiculous

Hit it for golden hour and watch the hills shift from sage to smoky mauve while the water turns liquid metal. You’ll have seats and little viewing nooks all along the path, so you can pause without blocking joggers or prams. It’s a magnet for photographers, romantics, and anyone pretending they “just came for steps.”

Rotary Heritage Trail: walk the story

Layered into the boardwalk is the Rotary Heritage Trail, a community project with interpretive signs and artworks that add context as you wander. You’ll learn about:

• The Ngaro People, Traditional Owners and seafaring navigators of this Country

• The early days of Airlie and the Whitsundays

• Community art pieces, including a turtle sculpture, plus upgrades like shade sails that make the walk friendlier year-round
  It’s a gentle way to connect with place while your legs do their thing.

Landmarks and tasty detours

Keep cruising towards Cannonvale and you’ll pass:

• Mirage Whitsundays

• Whisper Restaurant & Gin Bar for a celebratory tonic post-walk

• Marina Shores sitting right on the water’s edge

• From here, the path continues past Shingley Beach and around the headland with postcard views back to the islands and moored yachts.

What it feels like out there

Friendly nods from sunrise walkers. Sail masts tink-tinking in the breeze. Kids pointing out fish in the shallows. It’s social without being chaotic, and wide enough that you’re not playing dodge-the-runner. Morning light is crisp and blue; afternoons are warm and cinematic; after dark, the path lighting keeps things calm and safe under the stars.

Practical bits

• Distance: Up to ~3.7 km one way if you go lagoon to Cannonvale. Do as much or as little as you like from the Turtle section.

• Surface: Mix of timber and sturdy mesh decking with railings. Pram- and casual-sneaker-friendly.

• Essentials: Hat, water, and a camera that can handle smug sunsets. There are bubblers and cafes nearby, but bring a bottle if you don’t want to break stride.

• Etiquette: Keep left, give way on narrow bends, and treat wildlife with respect. No feeding anything with a beak, shell, or attitude.

Our take

This walk is Airlie Beach in one easy loop: reef-blue water, island silhouettes, boats posing like they’re on a calendar shoot, and a line of locals and visitors all vibing at the same speed. We do it whenever we’re in town because it clears the head and fills the camera roll in dangerous quantities.

Make a night of it with us

After your seaside strut, keep the good vibes rolling at our Airlie Beach Paint and Sip. Big throwback singalongs, zero pressure, and a canvas you’ll be weirdly proud of. Round up your crew, book a spot, and let’s paint the sunset you just walked through.