Does anyone have any recommendations on where to rent a car in the Whitsunday area? We plan to fly from Sydney to the Whitsundays (Townsville or Mackay) and then pick up a car and drive north to Port Douglas from there. We would likely be dropping the car off in Cairns on the back end. Are there any companies that will provide better rates if you book from the US prior to the trip (like an Auto Europe)? What should we expect to pay per day or week for a car rental? Any advice would be hugely helpful!! Thanks!!

Hi we recently travelled on a one rental from Airlie Beach to Cairns w/ ABC/Integra. We paid $A 529 for 6 days including collision damage reduction down to $300. This included 1500 km which was enough to get us up as far as Cape Tribulation and some backing and forthing due to flooding at the Tully River Crossing
I don't know if it was the best deal, but we had a pretty new comfortable compact.

AndrewDavid

AndrewDavid,
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like you did a similar trip to the one we will be doing next month. Did you book the car in advance or when you were in Australia? We are coming over from the US.

When you say you will fly to the Whitsundays, that would normally mean you will fly into Proserpine which is the closest airport - 20 min drive into Airlie Beach. Townsville and Mackay are not that close to the Whitsundays. We flew into Proserpine a few years ago, collected a pre-booked hire car from Avis then after some time at an island, drove to Port Douglas (took about 3 weeks) and dropped the car off at Cairns airport. Because we had the car for a long period Avis waived the one-way rental fee. We were happy with the car and happy with the costs from Avis.
If you are having time in the Whitsundays, out at the islands, you won't need a car, though there is a secure multi-storey carpark at Shute Harbour. You could catch a bus or taxi from the airport to Shute Harbour, go out to the islands then get a car on your return, ready to drive north. There are car rental agents in Airlie Beach as well as the airport at Proserpine.
A lovely spot to stop on the way north is Mission Beach. It's off the main highway, has a relaxed villagey feel, and is opposite Dunk Island where you can go for daytrips.
Kay

Dear olivedz

We prearranged our rental w/ ABC/Integra. As did Kay we flew into Proserpine and took the bus that connected w/ the flight to Airlie Beach.
We spent 3 days and nights on the Solway Lass a beautiful 102 year old tall ship.
AndrewDavid