Getting There

I got a cheap flight from Melbourne to Hamilton Island.  From there, a $2 bus ride got me to the ferry, then the ferry to Shute Harbour cost around $33 one-way for a one hour trip.  From Shute harbour, you won't have to wait long to grab the bus into Airlie Beach ($3).  Once in the main strip you'll be fine.

You can also get there by bus.  Greyhound buses www.greyhound.com.au have special rates for backpackers, or you can get a certain number of km, like my friend went all around Australia with a 25,000 km ticket or something.