| My favourite holiday destination is the magical | | | | a romantic holiday on the beautiful and exclusive |
| Whitsundays - 74 unspoilt islands in the tropical warm | | | | Hayman Island. Hayman Island Resort is a 5 star |
| waters of the Coral Sea, in the heart of The Great | | | | resort and is the only Australian member of the |
| Barrier Reef. What could be more perfect? The | | | | "Leading Hotels of the World" group. It is renowned |
| Whitsunday Passage would have to top the list of | | | | for its service, elegance and sheer luxury as well as |
| island getaways, not only in Queensland but the | | | | its stunning location in the Great Barrier Reef. Every |
| whole world. This small piece of paradise has | | | | part of your holiday at Hayman is a delight from |
| everything from the bustling hub of Airlie Beach, to | | | | dining at one of the restaurants or outdoors, to |
| the exclusive romantic haven of Hayman Island and | | | | pampering yourself with one of the personally-tailored |
| the secluded adult hideaway of Peppers Palm Bay, to | | | | beauty and well-being programs at Spa Chakra |
| the family oriented islands of Hamilton, South Molle, | | | | Hayman. |
| Long and Daydream Islands. If that isn't enough, you | | | | Peppers Palm Bay is an intimate and secluded retreat |
| can charter your own boat and see them all. Enjoy all | | | | with only 21 private waterfront bures, cabins and |
| the activities and entertainment you would expect | | | | bungalows nestled beneath swaying palm trees. Enjoy |
| from a holiday at the Great Barrier Reef - snorkelling, | | | | the view across the magnificent Coral Sea from your |
| diving, all water sports, whale watching, magnificent | | | | hammock on your own private balcony. Peppers |
| walks, cruises, deserted island lunches... I've included a | | | | really is somewhere you can unwind and remove |
| brief description of the island resorts at the | | | | yourself from the hustle of every day life. There are |
| Whitsundays but first, my favourite Whitsunday | | | | no televisions or telephones so the peace and |
| experiences. | | | | serenity is complete. Enjoy contemporary Australian |
| While the Whitsunday islands are home to a number | | | | cuisine at La Riviera restaurant or an intimate candlelit |
| of Australia's most famous resorts, most of the | | | | dinner on your balcony. |
| islands are unspoilt national parks so there are endless | | | | Hamilton Island has something for everybody from |
| deserted islands and beaches to explore and enjoy. | | | | the 5 star Beach Club to the Reef View Hotel, luxury |
| Whitehaven Beach is a magnificent beach on the | | | | apartments and cosy villas. Accommodation is from |
| uninhabited Whitsunday Island. It is a 7 kilometre long | | | | resort style to self-catering. There is something to |
| beach with an incredible expanse of pure white sand | | | | suit your style and budget. Hamilton Island has a |
| and crystal clear blue waters. It is one of the most | | | | unique village atmosphere with buggies for hire to |
| beautiful beaches in the world. One of the most | | | | enable visitors to explore the whole island. There are |
| magical experiences you can have is to spend a night | | | | eleven restaurants, six bars and nightclubs, boutique |
| on a yacht anchored off Whitehaven Beach. The | | | | shops as well as all the basic services such as |
| sunset is spectacular and throughout the night, the | | | | doctors, pharmacy, supermarket and a post office. |
| white sand glows in the moonlight. It is a sight to | | | | Children up to 14 years can be entertained at the |
| behold. Whitehaven Beach is serviced by ferries, | | | | Clownfish Club and there are no shortage of family |
| seaplanes, helicopters and cruising yachts. Day trips | | | | activities such as go-karts, mini-golf, the Wire flyer, |
| can be organised from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour | | | | the Koala Gallery Wildlife Experience and any number |
| and any of the islands. | | | | of water sports. |
| Of course, when you are at the Whitsundays, you | | | | One of the best value island holidays you could ever |
| can't miss the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier | | | | have would have to be at South Molle Island Resort. |
| Reef is the largest structure on earth created by | | | | There is a wide range of rooms from the |
| living creatures, stretching 2000 kilometres and | | | | comfortable and well maintained resort rooms to the |
| covering 350 000 square kilometres. The Great | | | | beachfront bungalows. Many of the packages are |
| Barrier Reef is not one reef but a collection of more | | | | inclusive of all meals, making it ideal for a family |
| than 2600 individual coral reefs and cays. The reef is | | | | holiday with no hidden costs. Meals can be eaten at |
| home to more than 300 species of hard coral, 400 | | | | the resort restaurant or the Island Café. |
| species of sponge and 1500 colourful bright tropical | | | | South Molle Island is also set up for conferences and |
| fish. At the Whitsundays, there are so many ways to | | | | caters for groups of 20 to over 300 people. Explore |
| experience this Wonder of the World. Many of the | | | | the island on one of the many walking tracks, |
| islands have magnificent fringing reef and snorkelling | | | | enjoying the forests and the breathtaking views as |
| or diving directly from the island is a simple and | | | | you reach the top of the island. Make the most of |
| fascinating way to view the coral and diverse life | | | | the perfect weather by the pool or on the beach. All |
| under the water. Some of the fringing reefs are off | | | | non-motorised water sports are free and motorised |
| uninhabited islands and snorkelling or diving from a | | | | sports are available for a fee. |
| boat is the only way to visit these. Butterfly Bay and | | | | The highlight of the week at South Molle Island is the |
| Manta Ray Bay (Hook Island), Blue Pearl Bay | | | | "Flames of Polynesia" show on Friday nights. People |
| (Hayman Island), Langford and Bird Island provide | | | | flock from all over the Whitsundays to experience |
| some of the best fringing reefs. There are many | | | | this unique show featuring colourful fire dancing. |
| diving and snorkelling tours to the "outer reef" from | | | | There's something for everyone at Daydream Island |
| any of the islands or Airlie Beach. Another great way | | | | Resort & Spa. It has 289 beautifully appointed |
| to view the reef and to get an impression of the | | | | rooms with a range of styles to suit families and |
| expanse of the Great Barrier Reef is to charter a | | | | couples. Indulge your senses at one of Australia's |
| plane and fly over the reef. It is truly spectacular | | | | most advanced rejuvenation spas. Just one and a |
| from the air. | | | | half kilometres long, Daydream Island is packed with |
| Boating in the Whitsunday's. If you get a chance, the | | | | a full range of holiday activities, delicious dining |
| best way to experience the Whitsunday's is from the | | | | options, secluded beaches and magnificent rainforest |
| deck of your own boat. The area is protected from | | | | inhabited by parrots and tiny sunbirds. There are 3 |
| the ocean by the Great Barrier Reef and with | | | | beaches on Daydream Island and one is fringed with |
| hundreds of protected anchorages, The Whitsunday's | | | | live coral and a colourful array of fish, making for |
| is one of the safest and finest cruising regions in the | | | | spectacular snorkelling. |
| world. Safe anchorages are seldom more than an | | | | Enjoy one of the latest blockbusters at the outdoor |
| hour apart, so the choices are endless. Choose your | | | | cinema. Test your skills at the 19 hole themed mini |
| favourite places and plan your trip before you leave | | | | golf course - for young and old. See the unique |
| or make up your mind as you sail around. The | | | | outdoor aquarium with direct access to a live coral |
| decisions are yours. | | | | reef. Meals can be taken at the a La Carte restaurant |
| Each of the islands in the Whitsunday archipelago has | | | | "Mermaids or the buffet style restaurant "Waterfalls". |
| it's own special identity. Some fall to the turquoise | | | | There are 3 bars, 3 swimming pools and spas and a |
| sea as a spectacular rocky outcrop, others gradually | | | | dive centre. At just one and a half kilometres long, |
| slope away to beautiful sandy beaches while others | | | | Daydream has a lot of activities packed in. |
| offer sandy inlets, fringing coral reef, bays and coves. | | | | Club Crocodile Long Island is known as the party |
| With hundreds of safe anchorages the Whitsunday's | | | | resort and there is no shortage of things to do - day |
| is the place to "realise your dream". Cruise to | | | | and night. The resort is three and a half star and the |
| uninhabited islands for lazy days under Queensland's | | | | garden and beachfront rooms sleep up to 4 adults or |
| famous sunshine where your only companions might | | | | 2 adults and 3 children (at a squeeze). Rates for |
| be whales, dolphins and turtles. Hail a seaplane direct | | | | accommodation include all meals. The main dining area |
| from your boat for a scenic flight or take a day trip | | | | is Palms Restaurant with 3 buffet meals a day. |
| to The Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays with its | | | | Alternative dining is at Café Paradiso. For the |
| safe anchorages and coves, sheltered by the Great | | | | nature lovers, there are 2500 acres of national park |
| Barrier Reef, is one of the world's finest cruising | | | | with 20km of scenic walking tracks. Most water |
| areas and will undoubtedly capture your heart and | | | | sports are available including catamaran sailing, |
| imagination. Lying in the tropics close to 20 deg south | | | | parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, |
| the Whitsundays has an enviable climate year round. | | | | fishing, glass bottom boats and cruises. Night time |
| The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea protect the | | | | activities are a highlight on the island with beach |
| waters of the Whitsundays from the ocean seas | | | | parties, casino night, karaoke and all night discos. |
| with most islands being surrounded by a fringing reef | | | | Baby-sitting and kids club is available so let your hair |
| system. | | | | down! |
| Resort Islands of the Whitsunday's. | | | | So whatever you are looking for, the Whitsundays |
| If you are looking to spoil yourself, you can't go past | | | | has something for everybody. Enjoy your holiday! |