Whitsunday Coast Airport Car Hire: Proserpine to Airlie Beach

Quick summary: Whitsunday Coast Airport, also known as Proserpine Airport, is the main airport for Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. Picking up a hire car here means you can drive straight to your accommodation, around 35 km and about 30 minutes away, with no waiting for transfers. It’s the most convenient option if you’re staying outside Airlie Beach or plan to explore the mainland coast.

At a glance
Airport	Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP), near Proserpine
To Airlie Beach	Around 35 km, about 30 minutes
Route	The Bruce Highway, then Shute Harbour Road
Flights	Direct from major Australian cities, including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Alternative	Car hire in Airlie Beach itself
Tours	Airport and island transfers

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Is Whitsunday Coast Airport the same as Proserpine Airport?

Yes. The airport near Proserpine is officially Whitsunday Coast Airport, airport code PPP, but it’s still widely called Proserpine Airport. It’s the closest mainland airport to Airlie Beach.

How do you drive from the airport to Airlie Beach?

Leave the airport via Lascelles Avenue and join the Bruce Highway, then turn onto Shute Harbour Road for Airlie Beach. The road passes through sugar cane country and the small town of Cannonvale before reaching the centre. It’s an easy first drive, though it pays to take it slowly if you aren’t used to driving on the left.

Why hire a car at the airport?

Reason	Details
No transfer wait	Drive straight to your accommodation
Accommodation outside town	Useful for stays along Shute Harbour Road or in the hinterland
Mainland exploring	Conway National Park, Cedar Creek Falls, Bowen and beyond
Flexibility	Reach early tour departures and evening restaurants easily

What is near the airport?

Proserpine, a sugar town a few minutes away, and Lake Proserpine behind Peter Faust Dam, popular for fishing. Cedar Creek Falls is a short detour on the way to Airlie Beach. See Cedar Creek Falls.

What should you know before collecting the car?

Bring a full driver’s licence and a credit card in the main driver’s name, and carry a translation or international driving permit if your licence isn’t in English. Supplier terms differ on minimum age, young-driver fees and where the car may be driven, so compare them before you book. Watch for wildlife at dusk on the highway.

Can you fly in and hire a campervan instead?

Yes. The nearest campervan depot is in Airlie Beach, a short transfer from the airport. See flying into the Whitsundays and campervan or car?.

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Frequently Asked Questions