AUSTRALIA had breakfast Whitsundays style this morning, thanks to Fish D'Vine co-owner Kevin Collins and mayor Jennifer Whitney, who spruiked the region on the Today Show.

Presenter Natalia Cooper and her crew broadcast weather crosses live from Abell Point Marina from 5.30am, focusing in particular on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, whose fleet have stopped in Airlie Beach for the first time in the history of the 20-year-old event.

Ms Cooper said having come to Airlie not knowing much about the Clipper Race, she would certainly be leaving better informed.

"And I think to learn that 40% of people sailing in it have never sailed before is amazing," she said.

Ms Cooper acknowledged what an achievement it was for Airlie Beach to be chosen as a Clipper stop and said like the Clipper crews, she'd been impressed by the destination and the friendliness of its people.

"It's definitely one of the most beautiful places in Australia so we wanted to show it off for a couple of days - I just wish we could stay longer," she said.

Having the Today Show broadcasting live from Airlie Beach was made possible by Whitsunday Regional Council, with mayor Jennifer Whitney saying she had worked hand in hand with Abell Point Marina "and funded these crosses as a great promotion of the Clipper event and acknowledgement of the Whitsundays as an international world-class sailing destination".

"We've been chosen (by Clipper) alongside London, Rio and Sydney - this is an absolutely magnificent event for the region," she said.

Mr Collins meanwhile, presented a breakfast of fruit, warm muffins and "a Whitsunday alternative to bacon and eggs in a fresh, local coral trout on the barbeque" for the nation to salivate over.

He said publicity like the Today Show was great affirmation of the strength and popularity of the Whitsundays brand.

"It's taken 30 years probably to get to this point where we're now internationally recognised as one of Australia's great destinations and this is just more constant 'little drips' of a positive message about Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays," he said.