'When I went to this popular Aussie town, everyone asked if I was in the Maldives.'

For me, travel is all about jam-packing new experiences and culture into one non-stop itinerary. Time is money, people!

But when I think of the idyllic vacation I'd dream of one day taking when I'm fabulous and chic (hey, any day now), I have to admit that scenic visions of the Maldives spring to mind.

We've all seen the videos of luxurious influencers and A-list stars enjoying the finer things in life, kicking back by striking blue waters and pristine white-sand beaches. That's the itinerary I'm saving for the imaginary version of me.

But when I found myself heading to Queensland recently, I was struck by how much The Whitsundays resembled my imaginary travel plans.

Watch: Should the middle seat on a plane get both arm rests? Post continues below.

The area boasts the kind of breathtaking landscape that makes you question if you're actually awake or if you've fallen into some kind of tropical dream sequence. And it's the kind of place that really gets your Instagram DMs in a tizzy.

I posted a snap from my first day in The Whitsundays on my Instagram stories — believing it to be one of the most iconic landscapes in this country of ours — yet I was met with an influx of messages demanding to know my location, with many speculating I'd taken myself on a tour of the Maldives. Wrong!

These views? Outstanding. Image: Supplied.

Over the course of my mid-week trip, I received more messages with each new photo upload: Was I in Fiji? Was I in New Zealand? Is everyone I know just, like, really bad at topography? Perhaps, but the diverse landscapes of the Whitsundays region are no joke. One day you're snorkelling with sea turtles, the next you're hiking amid striking green forest, the next you're enjoying cocktails beachside.

And if you base yourself in the town of Airlie Beach, you can have a luxury experience no matter your budget.

Yes, I know you hear the word 'Whitsundays' and you don't exactly think 'affordable' — but when the comparison is the cost of an international holiday to one of the priciest places on the planet, I'll take it.

Here's everything you need to know.

Where to stay in The Whitsundays.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to The Whitsundays, with easy access from Australia's major airports — there are daily Virgin Australia flights to the Whitsunday Coast from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

Staying in Airlie Beach means you have easy transport options from Proserpine Airport, access to all the best sights and activities the region has to offer, and you have your pick of the bunch when it comes to accom.

From luxury resorts to backpackers' hostels, the choice is yours. I stayed at the Coral Sea Resort, which had easy access to both the Coral Sea Marina — from which you'll depart for most excursions in the region — and the main streets of town. There's a scenic walkway called The Airlie Beach Boardwalk that takes you between both spaces, too, along with shuttle services for many activities.

Staying in a Coral Sea Suite, I spent every single morning staring out at the marina from my balcony spa bath as the sun rose. Girl, I felt like a Real Housewife on vacation.

Now that's a view to wake up to. Image: Supplied.

Coral Sea Resort boasts waterfront views, and it's an easy stroll into town. Image: Supplied.

If you really want to go all-out on luxury, you could stay at Yangaro or Pinnacles. If you're travelling with a large group, The Sebel, Airlie Beach Hotel or The Mirage might be the way to go.

There's a fabulous Discovery Parks location for families or the Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. And for our backpacking friends, Nomads Airlie Beach or Magnums Airlie Beach are amongst the most popular options for a budget-friendly stay.

What to do in Airlie Beach.

When it comes to things to do in town, the food is your must-do activity. But more on that later. Because Airlie Beach is the base, and the sights are what you're here to see…

Check out Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet.

First up, we need to talk about visiting Whitehaven Beach.

Not to be dramatic, but this seven-kilometre stretch of pristine white silica sand is basically the Taylor Swift of beaches — it's world-renowned, absolutely stunning, and everyone wants a front-row seat. And like any good T-Swift concert, you need to plan ahead because this is not just your average beach day, people!

You can reach the famous beach a number of ways, from seaplanes to speedboats to catamarans, whatever takes your fancy.

The Ocean Rafting tour is a fast-paced option, maximising your time spent out at sea. But I took the slow route, with the Camira Sailing Adventure, on board a speedy 85ft ocean-going catamaran.

We stopped to snorkel along the reef, swam in the ocean waters by Whitehaven Beach, and took a guided (short) hike up to Hill Inlet for the most iconic view in The Whitsundays.

And after a day of activities, there's nothing quite as relaxing as kicking back in the sea breeze on a catamaran — or so I've learned. Again, I was giving Real Housewife energy for the very first time in my life.

The view from Hill Inlet is spectacular. Image: Supplied.

It's one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the entire world. Image: Supplied.

Snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef.

It doesn't get much more iconic, or beautiful, than The Great Barrier Reef. From Airlie Beach, you can expect a couple of hours travelling there and back in order to reach the southern part of the reef. But the journey is worth it, without question.

The coral was breathtaking, while the wildlife was impressive (I saw several turtles, a few reef sharks, and enough colourful fish to round out the cast of Finding Nemo 3).

You can reach the reef by speedboat, sailboat, or any number of chartered options. The Red Cat Adventures tour was a speedy option, maximising our time spent out on the water — where I loved every second of it.

The marine life in the reef is unlike anywhere in the world. Image: Supplied.

Immerse yourself in the scenery.

So much of The Whitsundays' popularity comes from its water-based beauty, but don't forget the forests and national parks.

From Conway National Park to Cedar Creek Falls, to the gentle Airlie Creek Track, there are so many stunning opportunities to take yourself on a tranquil walk in the wilderness. If hiking isn't your thing, you could try one of the biking tours through the national parks.

Get your adrenaline pumping.

I didn't expect my Whitsundays jaunt to feature any adrenaline-rushing activities, but I was wrong.

The Pioneer Jetboat Tour is a 30-minute thrill-ride through Pioneer Bay, complete with 360- and 180-degree spins, power stops, drifts and nosedives. It was like the most dramatic rollercoaster ride of my life, and I loved every second of it.

If that's not your thing, scope out the scenery with a gentler water activity: kayaking with Salty Sea Dogs is one of the top-rated activities in town.

Where to eat in Airlie Beach.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and high standard of food options in town.

The Airlie Beach Hotel had a large selection and the kind of relaxed outdoor seating you'd expect from a coastal town in Aus.

The Coral Sea Pavilion offers a poolside dining experience, with extraordinary ocean views, fresh seafood, boutique wines and delicious cocktails.

If you're up for a scenic drive, Northerlies is a stunning restaurant and beach bar with ocean-front views amid the rolling green hills of the region.

Eastwoods Dining in town was one of my favourites, fusing south-east Asian flavours to produce dishes that still live rent-free in my mind. The spicy beef tartare was out of this world (coming from a girl who has never eaten tartare and liked it), while the salt and pepper soft shell crab, and braised beef shin and thai basil stir-fry, were delectable.

A standout for me was Montes Bar & Grill, which was a 50-minute drive from Airlie Beach — but was So. Damn. Beautiful. The restaurant is part of a private beachfront resort that feels relaxed, secluded, and so special. The menu has a focus on fresh, local produce and simplicity, with South American, Spanish and Italian influences.

Montes Bar & Grill was a standout of the trip. Image: Supplied.

Overwhelmingly, I couldn't believe how spectacular every moment of my time in Airlie Beach was. We're truly spoilt in Australia, and I'd been a fool to ignore such a gorgeous destination in favour of overseas trips for so long.

Do yourself a favour, and add an Airlie Beach stay to your bucket list immediately.

Feature Image: Supplied.