Located on the same latitude as Tahiti and Rio de Janeiro, the islands of the Whitsundays are being touted as Australia's answer to the cruising grounds of the Caribbean.
While the hype of some of the local tour operators may seem a little exaggerated, there are indeed many similarities that make the Whitsundays deserve the title of Australia's answer to Caribbean cruising.
Sparkling cerulean seas, uninhabited islands, coral reefs teeming with marine life, secluded white sand beaches and pristine national parks, are just the start. Over the past few years, the popularity of this natural wonder has grown from around a dozen cruise ships visiting per year to nearly fifty.
A cruise ship ambassador programme, the first of its kind in Australia, sees cruise passengers to Airlie Beach greeted by live music and smiling volunteers wearing colourful tropical shirts; creating a laid-back, friendly ambience that would not be out of place in the Caribbean. Special markets pop up on the foreshore when cruise ship are in port, featuring local arts and crafts, fresh produce and live entertainment.
Once a chilled-out backpacker town, following a recent $23 million upgrade, Airlie Beach has also grown up. With sophisticated new restaurants and cafes, upmarket accommodation, and a chic new shopping strip, it's obvious the town has had more than a celebrity nip and tuck.