A backpacker hub known for its sugar cane plantations and secluded beaches.
If you’re looking for a place to stay between Airlie Beach and Townsville, Ayr hits the sweet spot between rural quietude and beachside fun. Known for its sugarcane production, as well as mango and melon orchards, the small town has become a popular stop for working backpackers and campers. Once you’ve admired the town’s most impressive landmark, the Burdekin River Bridge or “Silver Link”, head out to explore the riverside wetlands, where there are plenty of opportunities for fishing and birding. The coast is also just a short drive away, and Alva Beach is a popular spot for windsurfing, surf fishing, and scuba diving, most notably the SS Yongala wreck dive. Ayr has several options for campers, whether you prefer to pitch your tent on a local farm, camp by the creek, or check into a holiday park or caravan park with powered sites and plenty of on-site amenities.