If you’re looking for an Australian luxury vacation package, it doesn’t get much better than a visit to the Whitsundays region of Queensland. Here you can experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in as luxurious accommodations as you can afford. The Whitsundays area is home to an amazing seventy-four separate islands, some of which are home to exclusive and private resorts where guests can immerse themselves in luxury while enjoying the unique setting of the Great Barrier Reef.
With warm, tropical temperatures, crystal clear water, and an incredible array of sealife, it’s no wonder that this area has so many resorts. If island life suits you, try the five star boutique hotel, the Beach Club, on Hamilton Island, the area’s largest inhabited island. Looking for something a little more private? Check out the Hayman Island Resort. As the only facilities on the island, this five star resort offers luxurious rooms, lovely gardens, and a unique swimming pool. There is no end of things to do on the island, both outdoor and water activities as well as in the resort’s spa.
If staying on the mainland seems more your speed, the resort town of Airlie Beach offers no end of fantastic accommodation. The Martinique Whitsundays resort is known as one of the best, and its unique architecture was inspired by the French Caribbean style. Just entering the resort is a journey in itself, as guests make their way into the lobby via a walkway over the pool. The exclusive Coral Sea Resort is another fantastic facility with luxury apartments and penthouses, two swimming pools, and unique dining.
Travelers can also enjoy trips to the Great Barrier Reef in utter luxury due to the wealth of luxury cruises available in the area. Whether you wish to travel by yacht, catamaran, or on the fastest vessel in the harbour, the ReefJet, you’ll find what you are looking for here. Helicopter flights over the region are also popular.
While Cairns is the northern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Coast and Bundaberg are considered to be the southern gateway, and are worthy of a visit in their own right. This pristine, nature-filled area is a wonderful getaway and a great way to explore the natural wonders of reef life, including the large numbers of turtles who arrive at Mon Repos every year to nest and hatch their eggs.
Australia luxury travel is what awaits visitors to Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay island in the Great Barrier Reef. The island is home to many species of wildlife, including a large Manta Ray population. Because of the fragile nature of the ecosystem, the only accommodation is a world-class eco-resort that offers visitors several beaches, restaurants, and activities include reef walking, tours of the reef, diving, and stargazing.
For a more affordable Australian vacation that includes intimately experiencing the Great Barrier Reef, try visiting Lady Musgrove Island. Visitors can take boat cruises in order to explore the island for the day, or spend a few nights camping on the beach. Only fifty campers are allowed at a time, and campers must bring all equipment, including fresh water, with them. Since the island is a very sensitive ecosystem, all precautions must be taken to ensure a light footprint. However, this can be an affordable way to truly explore the wonders of the reef on your own terms.
Bundaberg is the main city in the area, and offers visitors a wide range of activities besides cruises out to the Great Barrier Reef. Local attractions include the Alexandra Park and Zoo, the Fairymead House Sugar Museum, and of course, no visit would be complete without a trip to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and a taste of their world-famous liquor. There are also several local parks and gardens, and only a few miles from town is the Sloping Hummock, a dormant volcano that offers beautiful nighttime views of the area.
Part of Queensland’s northern coast, these two areas share a common history in that both were important places during Captain Cook’s journey of exploration to the area in the 1770’s. Cape Tribulation is where his ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, and Cooktown is where he settled to make subsequent repairs to the ship. Today, both are somewhat isolated and do take a little planning to get to, but are definitely worth the effort.
There are two roads from Cairns that take visitors into Cooktown – the coastal and the inland. The coastal route is more direct but is recommended only for four wheel drive vehicles as there are several creek crossings, while the inland road is suitable for all vehicles. Although a cyclone destroyed the town in 1949, it was rebuilt and is now becoming a tourist centre for visitors heading to the Cape York region. As a small frontier town, Cooktown’s population is only about 1300 and the town literally only has a few streets. However, the town is rich in history, has a multitude of recreational opportunities such as fishing and river cruises, and offers exceptionally friendly hospitality. Be sure to check out the Grassy Hill Lookout for a tremendous view of the area.
Cape Tribulation is a lush and rainforest-covered national park. It is a unique area since the rainforests stretch right out to the wide, sandy beaches, allowing visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds. There are many ways to enjoy the park, including walking, swimming, and diving. Horse-back riding, particularly on the beach is also a very popular activity and the Marrdja Botanical Walk is an easy boardwalk where visitors can explore the rainforest. There are tours available from Cairns, and if you are planning on taking your own vehicle be sure to call ahead to the Daintree Ferry to ensure that you’ll be able to cross the river to get into the park.
