Sunlit Waters

Set on the hill above Airlie Beach, these owner-run studio apartments look out across the Coral Sea and the boats moored below. The self-catering studios range from compact to larger one-bedroom layouts, and there's a pool with a sunbaking deck, a covered gas barbecue, guest laundry and off-street parking. Staff at the tour desk book Whitsunday cruises and island day-trips, and it's a short walk down into town. The 74 Whitsunday Islands lie just offshore.