Skip to content

lindsytravelsaus.com

Tag: Day Trips

  • Airlie Beach Cafes: Best Spots for Coffee and Breakfast

    Airlie Beach Cafes: Best Spots for Coffee and Breakfast

    Airlie Beach is a major tourist destination. With so many visitors coming and going every day Airlie is home to some amazing cafes to keep everyone caffeinated. This list of the best Airlie Beach Cafes will help you satisfy your coffee cravings.

    Whether you need a quick take away before your tour, a hearty breakfast on a backpacker budget, or a nourishing smoothie bowl by the ocean, Airlie Beach is brimming with café options to suit every mood and wallet. In this guide, I’ll break down the top spots into four handy categories so you can easily plan your perfect coffee or brekky stop.

    A coffee in a to go cup

    Quick Airlie Beach Cafes to Grab-and-Go

    As a traveller the itinerary can often put you in a massive time crunch. Sometimes you just want a good coffee and breakfast to-go as fast as possible. These Airlie Beach cafes are ideal for travellers in a hurry who don’t want to sacrifice quality for convenience. Located near key departure points and main streets, they’ll get you caffeinated and on your way in no time.

    Le Kiosk Cafe

    Perfect for early risers, Le Kiosk Cafe sits right at the marina where most Whitsundays tours depart. Known for its smooth flat whites and friendly service, this little spot is ideal for takeaway coffees and light bites before setting sail. Open early most mornings.

    Garuma Cafe & Express

    For speedy service without skimping on quality, Garuma is your go-to. Their expertly brewed Piazza D’oro coffee and fresh breakfast rolls make it a favourite of both locals and tourists looking for a quick, satisfying fuel-up.

    Wisdom Cafe

    Hidden slightly off the main street, Wisdom Cafe is a peaceful stop if you want a quiet moment with your takeaway brew. Freshly made egg muffins and healthy wraps are great if you’re grabbing a light snack on the go.

    Pancakes stacked up on a plate: a great example of a budget breakfast from a local Airlie Beach cafe

    Breakfast on a Budget in Airlie Beach

    Travelling on a backpacker budget but still craving a solid brekky to start your day? These cafes offer hearty, affordable breakfast options without breaking the bank—perfect for solo travellers, backpackers, and families wanting good food at a reasonable price.

    Sidewalk Cafe

    Located right on the Esplanade Sidewalk Cafe is a local favourite thanks to its affordable and generous breakfast menu. Serving classic bacon and egg rolls, house baked muffins, and coffee deals, all in a relaxed outdoor setting right by the water.

    Cafe One 3

    Cafe One 3 serves great coffee brewed from Byron Bay beans along with budget-friendly, filling dishes like banana pancakes and toasted sandwiches. The laid-back vibe makes it a hit with backpackers looking for tasty, no-fuss meals.

    The Deck

    With all-day breakfast options and solid portions, The Deck is ideal for those wanting value for money. Their smoothies and frappes are also great picks if you want something light and refreshing without splurging. Conveniently located on Main Street.

    Health-Focused Airlie Beach Cafes

    Airlie Beach also caters to the health-conscious traveller, offering fresh, nourishing meals alongside top-notch coffee. Whether you’re a regular healthy eater or you just want something fresh while you recover from a crazy night out in Airlie. These cafes specialise in smoothie bowls, vegan options, and gluten-free treats—perfect for a pre- or post-beach meal.

    Bohemian Raw

    If you love smoothie bowls and good vibes, Bohemian Raw is a must. Their acai bowls are local favourites, packed with fresh fruit and granola, and they proudly brew Proud Mary coffee for that quality caffeine hit.

    Wisdom Cafe

    Yes—it’s so versatile it makes the list twice! In addition to their grab-and-go options, Wisdom Cafe shines with fresh smoothie bowls, veggie wraps, and gluten-free treats for health-minded visitors.

    Fat Frog Beach Cafe

    A short drive from Airlie, Fat Frog is known for its bright, beachside setting and nutritious menu. They serve Campos coffee alongside nourishing options like avocado toast and vegetarian breakfasts. Plus, it’s dog-friendly!

    boat on the coral sea marina home to the coral sea cafe in Airlie beach

    Waterfront Cafes in Airlie Beach

    For those who want their coffee or brunch with a side of ocean views, these waterfront Airlie Beach cafes deliver unbeatable scenery with your meal. Perfect for lingering a little longer, they offer laid-back vibes and prime people-watching spots.

    La Tabella Trattoria

    Sit back with an expertly brewed Toby’s Estate coffee and enjoy gorgeous waterfront views at La Tabella. Their Italian-inspired menu makes this spot ideal for a relaxed coffee or late brunch with friends.

    Paradiso Rooftop Restaurant

    With its sunny rooftop space overlooking the water, Paradiso is a great spot for brekky waffles, iced coffees, or even a cheeky mimosa. A fun, open-air atmosphere makes this café perfect for slow, scenic mornings.

    Sidewalk Cafe

    This charming spot appears again thanks to its unbeatable beachfront location. Affordable coffee, sea breezes, and a casual vibe make it a great place to start—or end—your day by the water.

    Which Airlie Beach Cafes Will You Choose?

    Whether you’re grabbing coffee on the run, fuelling up with an affordable brekky, nourishing your body with healthy eats, or soaking in ocean views with your latte—Airlie Beach cafes have you covered. No matter your budget or taste, this tropical town’s café scene will leave you satisfied and ready for your next Whitsundays adventure.

  • French Island: The Best Place to See Koalas Near Melbourne 

    French Island: The Best Place to See Koalas Near Melbourne 

    A One Day Itinerary and Planning Guide for French Island, Vic

    As a budget backpacker in Australia, I’m always on the lookout for my next adventure-without breaking the bank.  I was settled in Melbourne with no car and looking for a day trip I could access via Melbourne’s public transportation.  This is when I discovered French Island.  This often overlooked Island can be reached from the Melbourne CBD via a combination of train and ferry.  The Island is relatively untouched with well under 200 full time residents making it the perfect retreat from city life. 

    The Island is also home to a huge Koala population. It’s estimated that the island houses between 5,000 to 7,000 koalas.  This is the largest and healthiest koala population in Victoria and the second largest koala population in Australia.   

    Getting to French Island

    If you want to reach French Island via public transportation it is a long(but worthwhile) journey.

    My friend and I left our accommodation at 9am to reach the Flinders Street train station for the 9:27 am train to Frankston.  We switched trains once taking the train from Frankston to Stoney Point.  We made it to the 11:45 ferry and took the 15 minute journey across the bay arriving at 12pm exactly.

    Both the train from Frankston to Stony Point and the ferry run at limited times. Be sure to plan your trip in advance. Prepare to leave early in order to make it at a reasonable time.

    If you have a car simply drive to the Stony Point Ferry Terminal.  You can purchase ferry tickets online or in person. The ferry costs 16 dollars each way or 32 dollars round-trip.  The ferry is relatively small so if you are going on a weekend or public holiday it would be best to buy tickets in advance.

    First Impressions of French Island

    French Island is not a very developed tourist area. It is the perfect place for a rustic wildlife excursion. Don’t expect a bustling boardwalk with shops.  There is a public toilet located just off the jetty. The only store is a 3km walk from the ferry.  We were lucky enough to go on a Sunday when the general store offered a complimentary shuttle service to the general store sparing us the 3 km uphill walk.  This service is only offered on weekends and public holidays and a booking in advance is recommended.  You can make one via the general store website 

    Make sure you are prepared for a successful trip to French Island. Bring plenty of water, weather appropriate clothing, bug spray, and food for your journey.  Aside from the general store there is nowhere to purchase anything.

    Finding Koalas

    The easiest place to find Koalas is conveniently near the general store.  After catching the shuttle we walked further up the road looking in the branches of the eucalyptus trees.  It only took about 10 minutes of looking before we saw our first koala.  It was my first time spotting a wild koala in Australia. This was one of the happiest moments I have had while traveling.  We were lucky this koala was fairly active and put on a show for us. He climbed further up the branches munching on some eucalyptus leaves.

    After watching that guy for a bit we found another Eucalyptus tree with THREE koalas!!! These guys were more keen to nap than entertain us. One of them was on a low branch close to the road and didn’t seem to mind us coming up to take some pictures.  Of course with any wild animals it’s important to remain a respectful distance and absolutely don’t touch the koalas (as much as you might want to)

    Lunch and Echidna sighting

    After a bit of a hike up the road we stopped for a picnic lunch on school road.  While we were eating in a shady spot we were lucky enough to spot an echidna wandering along the fence of a nearby farm.  It did hide it’s face when we approached to take a picture so we left it alone. It was a cool example of how easy it is to spot wildlife on French Island.  

    an Echidna curled up behind a fence post


    Heading back


    There were no more shuttles by the time we turned around. We left early to make sure we could walk back to the ferry in time.  We headed back around 3 to make sure we were on time for the 4:25 ferry.  The last ferry was at 6:30 pm but we had about two hours left of train travel so we didn’t want to stay too late.  On our way back we were fortunate enough to see one more koala. He was running down the street towards a eucalyptus tree.

    Although at first we didn’t know if he was running in for a hug. 

    We made it to the ferry with time to spare. We were able to do some birdwatching on the jetty before our ferry arrived.

    Trip Advice 

    • French Island is not a developed tourist area so make sure to bring everything you need especially drinking water 
    • If you are traveling via public transport the trip can be quite long. Plan your trip in advance because train and ferry times are limited.
    • There is so much more to see on French Island than you can reasonably do in one day on foot.  If you want to see more you can hire a car or bike, take a guided tour, or stay overnight 
    • There is a FREE campground on the Island called Fairhaven Campground.
    • Watch your step and be careful of wildlife, especially snakes that inhabit the island.