SA Footy

Has anyone been there?
Would love to hear any feedback on the best things to do and best spots to stay. Tossing up staying at airlie beach or hamilton island. All im after is somewhere with a balcony and a bbq overlooking the water- and close to restaurants. Not too fussed with price within reason...
Cheers for any help at all
Stumps

Went there a year or so ago, stayed on HI, flew there direct ex Adelaide. Great. Not sure if they do those flights anymore.

Had an two bedroom appartment with balcony and BBQ overlooking the main beach of HI..very nice. Got a golf cart included which
makes getting around a breeze, plus there are shuttle buses as well.

Travelled with another couple, and all up 4 adults and 6 kids. We had a ball...

Best thing we did was hire a 42 ft Cat for the day, and sailed around Whitsunday Island, a couple of beached (Whitehaven)
and took our own food, and beers !! Was $900 but for 4 adults and 6 kids worked out pretty good...

Good spot and would go again...

cheers SJABC- thats what i thought would be the best option- just need a smaller apartment as there are only the two of us- cheers for the advice re sail trip- sounds awesome!!

I stayed on Hamilton Island for a week in the mid 90s, one of the best times of my life.
Ive had friends go their recently and its a lot more built up then it used to.
I agree with hiring a boat, I planned to do that on my next visit and even bought a book that shows all the channels, etc but never got around to it.
Hamilton Island was fun as they always had different events and things happening, my parents have stayed at Airlie Beach and prefer that as its a bit lower key.
Either way you'll have a ball, the view from the islands is pretty similar to the view from Airlie beach.
A trip to Whitehaven Beach as mentioned and the GB Reef to have a snorkel/scuba are a must.
You'll have a ball mate, its a bit pricey there but aweseome!

Ive been there a bit..most recently on footy trip 2006.

Airlie Beach is much better value than HI. I'm all for luxury but I can't stand HI for the pure fact that I'm of the belief that high rise buildings just DONT belong on islands If you want a bit of luxury I can recommend daydream Island (any pool with a swim up bar is a winner in my book I thouroughly recommend the toblerone cocktail )

If you have kids, stay on the mainland because there's nothing worse than bored kids on an island.. even though most have kids clubs.

If you have shitloads of money- go to Hayman but not really that much to do there nowadays, it's too exclusive. South Molle is cheap as chips but only because the place has gone downhill, it's shocking now, since it was taken over about 3 or 4 years ago.

I find best to book accommodation on the mainland, and if you want to spoil yourself with a night or two on an island, book it at one of the many agencies in the main street when you get there as they're last minute deals are awsome - designed for backpackers so good value.

Coral Sea resort in Airlie Beach is nice and overlooks water and is within walking distance to all the pubs etc.. has the balcony/bbq/spa thing..

Agree with FC about staying on the mainland - I've been up there several times in the last couple of years as have friends up there - it is a great spot, even better with cheap accommodation on friends floor...

Lots of activities to do, mostly centred around the water obviously. I've been on Southern Cross Sailing Adventures on a 3 day 2 night trip - excellent value with all meals included. Alternatively a days island hopping is great fun. Also went sea kayaking last time I was up there - only did the half day tour, but would love to do an extended trip.

Been out fishing a couple of times on MV Jillian - highly recommended, and caught fish too!

Airlie Beach I'm not so sure is low key - the development happening up there is running rampant. But that one main street buzzes - backpacker mecca.