All About Us

All about Backpackers By The Bay and the Whitsunday Region that we call home

About Backpackers By The Bay

Backpackers By The Bay was the first backpackers hostel built in Airlie Beach, back in 1986. It is still the only purpose-built backpackers in the area.

The owners, Peter and Carolyn Upton, are avid travellers and believe the best experiences when travelling involve the people you meet along the way. To that end, the main focus of the hostel is on guest-interaction.

What's more, we are proud to boast the hostel has been the first meeting place for a number of guests and/or staff who have gone on to marry, have children together and continue to keep in touch with us! Yes, you could call us "The Love Shack"!

Getting Here By Road:
Drive through the township, and continue on in the direction of Shute Harbour, for 400 metres. You will pass the newly built "Port of Airlie" marina on the left hand side, and then come to a large roundabout. Take the right hand turn on the roundabout, which will take you into Hermitage Drive. Our carpark leads off Hermitage Drive, and provides safe, off-street parking.

Getting Here By Coach:
The bus station is located directly across the road from the hostel in the Port of Airlie Marina complex.

Getting Here By Plane:
Whitsunday Transit meet all inbound flights and provide an air-conditioned transfer from Proserpine Airport (Whitsunday Coast Airport) into Airlie Beach. Alternatively, Whitsunday Taxi's also meet all flights.

About The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s most desirable holiday destination. The Whitsundays boasts 74 tropical islands rising from pristine turquoise water and a vibrant coast that is full of excitement. With 70% of the region protected National and Marine Park, this destination is truly unique. The islands are continental islands, meaning they once formed a mountain range and were part of mainland Australia. They became submerged when water levels rose, following the ice-age.

This stunning aquatic playground, 150km north of Mackay and 300km south of Townsville, enjoys a tropical climate year round and offers easy access to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. From world class Island Resorts to the cosmopolitan resort village of Airlie Beach on the coast, the Whitsundays has something for everyone.

Climate
The climate is subtropical as we are located above the Tropic of Capricorn. The Whitsunday's are on the same Latitude as the Fiji Islands. They offer sunny tropical weather virtually all year round.
The water temperature varies from 23°C in winter to 28°C in summer and the islands are protected from ocean swells by the Great Barrier Reef. Summers are hot and balmy with occasional showers, but even these are warm and refreshing.
The trade winds are usually stronger between May and August, however you can expect sailing breezes almost every day.

Average Yearly Temperatures

Month Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Max
30.5
30.2
29.6
28.1
26.0
23.4
23.1
24.3
25.9
27.3
29.5
30.4
Min
24.8
24.9
24.1
22.7
20.4
17.1
16.6
17.4
19.2
21.3
23.4
24.5

Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays

If you're travelling along the East Coast of Australia then there's not better place to visit than Airlie Beach. It's the gateway to the magnificent Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach is a big backpacker hub with a predictably laid back atmosphere throughout the day and wild nightlife once the sun goes down. The Whitsundays are gorgeous and are made up of 74 stunning islands. It's also a launching point to get to the Great Barrier Reef.

Airlie Beach has everything you need whether it's a planned stop along the way north to Townsville & Cairns or south to Brisbane & Sydney or as a base to experience all that this part of the world has to offer. Airlie Beach also features a man made lagoon and countless attractions and services.