Panoramic Bliss Along The Honeyeater Trail
Ever wanted a bird's-eye view of the spectacular Airlie Beach without boarding a plane? The Honeyeater Trail has you covered.
In July, my friends and I attempted the well-loved Honeyeater Trail. After trying not to be put off by the whispers about snakes and steep inclines, we decided to find out ourselves what this popular hike had to offer.
The walk begins at Kara Crescent, easily reachable by car or a pleasant 15–20-minute stroll from Airlie Beach’s Main Street. We chose to drive to the trailhead.
We started our hike at Kara Crescent around 11am, which turned out to be a mistake. By midday, the sun was blazing, and we were sweltering, despite it being winter. Head out early to avoid the heat or consider a sunrise hike with a head torch for the dark ascent.
The trail starts with a steep incline up a flight of stairs and continues uphill for most of the way, easing off in the final 1.8km where the path levels out, making it less strenuous.
The walk up, which is about 4.1km to reach the lookout, took us about an hour, with us walking at a steady pace, and the full roundtrip will take you around 8.2km through the lush green rainforest of the Conway National Park. This also offers you the chance to see all the exceptional wildlife The Whitsundays has to offer.
During our journey, we were serenaded by the enchanting calls of Cockatoos and Kookaburras.
While the trail was upgraded for all weather in 2021, wearing sensible footwear is essential. Although most of the path is gravel, there were some parts that were particularly muddy.
The views along the walk up are limited, however, what we saw when we arrived at the top, was more than worth the wait. The panoramic views stretched across most of Airlie Beach. The turquoise waters of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef resembled a picture postcard, glistening under the sun against the flourishing greenery of the bushlands. You could even spot some of the islands out in the horizon. Undoubtedly, this was the most breathtaking view I've encountered in Airlie Beach.
After capturing our well-deserved pictures at the top and witnessing a man sadly lose his drone to a tree, we began our descent.
What goes up, must come down, and the way back seemed marginally easier than our gradual ascent.
Despite not being lucky enough (or unlucky in some people’s eyes) to spot any snakes on our journey, we did come across a Goanna which was frantically climbing a tree trying to get out of our path. It was lovely to stop and watch it as it gradually blended into the trunk.
There are a few things to note if you plan to trek the Honeyeater Trail. Firstly, before attempting the ascent make sure you have lots of water and food with you, it's a 2-hour hike and you will get peckish!
Another important point to consider is to wear light clothing or sportswear. We felt quite hot even in winter, so the summer months are likely to be even more uncomfortable.
Thirdly, make sure you bring sunscreen, although the path is mainly shaded by the trees, the viewpoint is very much in the sun.
Lastly, enjoy yourself. This is one of the best views I have seen in Airlie Beach, and it really is worth it. My friends and I had a great time, shared lots of laughs and were all stunned when we reached the top. If you are in Airlie on holiday, or a local looking for a new hike, make sure the Honeyeater Trail is top of your list.
The glorious views spanning Airlie Beach from the Honeyeater Trail
Me and my friends at the lookout.
By Ruth Puddefoot
