Venue: Sorrento Restaurant and Bar / Image: Brooke Miles Photography 

We recently sat down with the lovely team at Lure Abell Point Marina to find out all the hotspots that the locals love in the Whitsundays. From great bars to enjoy a drink and honeymoon essentials, Lure Abell Point Marina’s tips are not to be missed! 

Your Favourite Place That Only Locals Know About?

Our favourite place that only locals know about is Northerlies Bar & Grill at Freedom Shores resort. This resort is on the mainland about a 10 minute drive from Airlie Beach. From the marina you can see it across the bay on a clear day. It has cabin-type accommodation, but the highlight is the restaurant and bar area. It’s located on the water, beachfront with comfy sun-lounges and big couches. The restaurant serves up grill style food and you can get light snacks from the bar. The locals love it here and at the weekend it is jam packed with locals listening to live music and enjoying the view.
 

Venue: Northerlies Bar & Grill / Image: Image: Cherie Morel (staff at Lure Abell Point Marina)

Your Favourite Popular Place that is a Crowd Pleaser for a Reason?

Sorrento Bar & Restaurant at Abell Point is a definite crowd pleaser. It has a big sun-deck downstairs which is the perfect place to watch the boats return from the day tours and the sun setting over the islands. They do great share platters and cocktails and it’s a really casual vibe – mix of locals and holiday makers.

Your Favourite Restaurant?

Hemingway’s at Abell Point is our favourite. Located in their South Marina Village, Hemingway’s restaurant has a funky coastal chic style décor and an Ernest Hemingway theme. Black & white couches and cool furniture and fittings accompany an incredible modern Australian menu. The restaurant was awarded a Chef Hat in 2018 and that is definitely reflected in the menu. You won’t be disappointed with the food or the ambience.

Venue: Hemingway’s / Image: Brooke Miles Photography 

Your Favourite Bar?

The Garden Bar at Hemingway’s makes a great place to start the night. Open daily from 4pm, The Garden Bar offers a light bar menu of interesting and unusual snacks for those looking for something to accompany the ice-cold beer or signature cocktail. As the sun sets the trees light up with fairy lights creating this beautiful soft atmosphere, perfect for a romantic date night.

Venue: The Garden Bar at Hemingway’s / Image: Brooke Miles Photography 

Your Favourite Store?

Lotus Boutique in Airlie Beach is our must-visit store. They have a great range of casual, resort wear clothing with a bohemian theme. Some great evening dresses as well, for those looking for something more formal, but think bright colours, soft cottons and great accessories.

Store: Lotus Boutique / Image: Cherie Morel (staff at Lure Abell Point Marina)

Your Favourite Hotel?

There is some great accommodation located a short walk from the marina overlooking the water. Peninsular apartments, Mirage Whitsundays or the Coral Sea Hotel all offer 3- 4 star style accommodation with incredible water views. The beauty of a honeymoon in Airlie Beach is you can walk everywhere and it’s generally along the water front, which at any time of the day or night is romantic!

Hotel: Coral Sea Hotel / Image: Tourism & Events Queensland 

Your Favourite Way to Spend Time Outdoors?

Being outside is quintessentially Whitsundays, so our recommendation is put the sneakers on and go for a walk or hike. For the less adventurous amongst us, the Bicentennial Walkway from Cannonvale to Airlie Beach offers a relaxing (aka flat) waterfront stroll of approximately 5km. The walkway goes through Abell Point Marina so plenty of scope for light refreshments along the way.

For the more adventurous, try the Honeyeater Track which takes you on a serious hike up the mountain at the back of Airlie Beach. Not for the faint hearted, the Honeyeater requires a certain level of fitness, but perfect for that honeymoon couple looking for the ultimate Instagram post photo from the top – the view back over Airlie Beach, the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday islands is breathtaking.

Location: Shingley Beach / Image: Cherie Morel (staff at Lure Abell Point Marina)

The most interesting person you’ve met in The Whitsundays?

Motivational speaker Terry Hawkins recently did a talk at Lure, which was incredibly inspiring. Terry was a guest of Whitsunday Crisis and Counselling and was in the region to offer support and motivation to the local community in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Terry gave an incredible talk and really touched those who attended with her practical style of personal coaching. It really was a pleasure to meet such an inspirational Australian woman who has made a name for herself on a world stage.

Venue: Lure Abell Point Marina / Image: Cherie Morel (staff at Lure Abell Point Marina)

Ideal date night in The Whitsundays?

Sunset cocktails and a delicious dinner overlooking the water.

Anything else that a honeymooner needs to know about The Whitsundays?

Everyone should absolutely get out on the water or above the water when they visit the Whitsundays. Day tours, sunset sailing, jetski rides, bareboats, seaplanes or heli-tours are all available from Airlie Beach and there is something for everyone. Until you get out amongst the Whitsunday islands, you really cannot truly appreciate how stunning the scenery is in this region. Snorkel coral reefs, explore indigenous history or relax on a pristine white beach – all or any of these will make the perfect honeymoon memory.

Image: 8 Seconds Photography

About the author Lure Abell Point Marina: Lure at Abell Point Marina is setting a fresh, contemporary standard for weddings, conferences and events in the Whitsundays. This new function venue space for hire, nestled in the heart of award-winning Abell Point Marina is the Whitsundays newest and most refined venue. With unrivalled waterfront views over the Whitsunday islands and the Coral Sea from the expansive waterfront balcony, it is clear how Lure is fast becoming the venue of choice in the Whitsundays, Queensland.