Airlie Beach vs Yeppoon: Best Coastal Living and Property Guide

Coastal Living: Airlie Beach vs Yeppoon

Queensland's coastline is full of gems, but two towns often stand out for both lifestyle and investment potential — Yeppoon and Airlie Beach. Both promise sun, sand and that relaxed coastal life, but they just do it in different personalities.

If you are tossing up between them, here is a closer look at how they compare.

Location and accessibility

Yeppoon

sits on the Capricorn Coast, about 40 minutes from Rockhampton Airport. You can be in Brisbane in about a 2 hour flight or it is a manageable 7 hour drive north from Brisbane.

Yeppoon is also the launch point for Great Keppel Island and the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Airlie Beach

is known as the heart of the Whitsundays. It is only 30 minutes from Proserpine Airport and about a 2 hour flight from Brisbane, or a 12 hour drive north from Brisbane. From Airlie, you have direct access to 74 Whitsunday Islands, a world class sailing and holiday destination.

Property market comparison

Yeppoon property market

• Median house price: $620,000
• Unit median: $450,000
• Rental yield: 4.5% to 5.2%
• Annual growth (5 year): 6.8%
• Known for being more affordable with plenty of entry points

Airlie Beach property market

• Median house price: $780,000
• Unit median: $520,000
• Rental yield: 5.5% to 7% (holiday letting can lift returns)
• Annual growth (5 year): 8.2%
• Seen as more premium, especially for waterfront locations

Lifestyle and amenities

Yeppoon lifestyle

is family friendly and laid back. The community is tight knit, with excellent schools including St Ursula's college. Yeppoon makes year round swimming easy and safe. Dining is growing with more waterfront restaurants, and the events calendar is busy with the Pineapple Festival, Rockhampton Cup and the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival.

Airlie Beach lifestyle

is buzzing and cosmopolitan. It has a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene, plus marinas for boating and sailing. The Bicentennial Walkway and Airlie Lagoon are favourite spots for locals and tourists. Big events like Bruce West and Airlie Beach Music Festival bring energy year round.

Climate and environment

Both spots enjoy over 300 days of sunshine a year with subtropical climates. Yeppoon is slightly cooler in winter, with minimums around 13°C compared to 16°C in Airlie Beach. Summer maximums sit around about 30°C. Airlie Beach tends to be more humid and wetter during the summer wet season. Both fall within cyclone zones, so insurance and strong building standards are essential considerations.

Economic drivers

Yeppoon's economy

leans on a growing retiree population, government services, domestic tourism and agriculture. It is also starting to attract more digital nomads thanks to its lifestyle and affordability.

Airlie Beach's economy

is dominated by international tourism, marine services, reef tours and superyacht operations. It is more globally connected and heavily influenced by visitor trends.

Investment potential

Yeppoon investment

offers steady capital growth with lower buy in prices. There is a strong permanent rental market for locals and families, with holiday letting being more seasonal. Yeppoon is less dependent on tourism, which can make it a more stable choice.

Airlie Beach investment

is attractive for its higher rental yields, especially through holiday letting platforms. Waterfront properties in particular can see premium growth. The limited land supply and consistent tourism demand keep interest strong. The main risk is its reliance on international tourism and how factors like currency or global events affect visitor numbers.

Making your choice

So which one is right for you?

Choose Yeppoon if you are after an affordable family lifestyle, a friendly community feel and steady long term investment returns.

Pick Airlie Beach if you want the buzz of a tourism hub, easy access to the Whitsundays and higher yielding investment property with rental growth.

Both deliver the dream of Queensland coastal living, they just do it with different personalities.

If you can, spend some time in both places during peak season and off season to get a true feel for them. And remember, a local buyer's agent can help you understand the micro markets and guide you toward the best opportunities for your goals.