The Great Barrier Reef is one of nature’s most incredible wonders. Stretching over 1,400 miles off the coast of north-eastern Queensland and encompassing more than 900 islands and cays, it is the world’s largest coral reef and its largest living structure. So, deciding where to visit and stay can be a little overwhelming. The best way to experience all that the reef has to offer is to base yourself on an island. Some have laid-back eco-resorts, others exclusive lodges, but they all offer beautiful scenery and easy access to the extraordinary wonders of the Coral Sea.
But where to choose? Have a chat to one of Audley Travel's expert consultants and they’ll help you find the right island or islands for you. They will tailor-make a seamless Queensland itinerary from the flights and car hire or transfers to hotels and excursions, freeing you up from hours of research and comparisons to start your Aussie adventure as you mean to go on: with no worries.
Orpheus Island
Cast away to Orpheus Island for a laid-back getaway that’s not short of luxuries. You’ll stay at small five-star Orpheus Island Lodge, which exudes beach chic. Days here are all about exploring the fringing reef and coves by small boat, kayak or paddleboards and zipping off on private charters to dive down into the outer reefs. Fishing trips with local fishermen are also highly recommended – the resort’s chefs will happily prepare your haul for dinner. The all-inclusive resort has 14 stylish and contemporary rooms, suites and villas, all with beachfront locations, guaranteeing gorgeous views of the Coral Sea. Guests enjoy three meals a day, which are stuffed with Queensland produce and served with Australian wines and beers. For a real treat, book the Dining with the Tides experience. You’ll sit down to a six-course tasting menu, tailored to your tastes, on a star-lit pier.
Lizard Island
This idyllic island is home to the northernmost resort on the reef. It’s well worth the journey as secluded Lizard Island, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, embodies the concept of barefoot luxury. From its heavenly spa and pool to the fine food and super-chic suites and villas, you’ll feel cosseted from the second you step off your private plane. While it’s tempting to lounge about on daybeds, the island has a lot more to offer. There are 24 beaches to work your way around – borrow a motorised dinghy to explore them, taking a gourmet picnic hamper with you. You can snorkel with a dazzling array of fish, giant clams and sea turtles just off the shore. Inland there are bushland trails including a fairly arduous but rewarding one up to Cook's Look, Lizard Island’s highest point. Whatever you get up to, make sure you return in time for cocktail hour and to watch the sun disappear into the Coral Sea.
Daydream Island
This wonderful Whitsunday resort leaves a lasting impression on its guests. Back in 2019, Daydream Island reopened after a multi-million-dollar revamp. With 277 refurbished modern rooms and suites, a kids’ club and spa, it’s a great choice for families and groups. All rooms have lovely views – either of lush tropical gardens, the pool or ocean – and a breezy feel. But the resort’s USP is its Living Reef, an ocean lagoon with man-made reef that wraps around its main building. Guests can paddle in it, join guided snorkels or gaze up at the creatures from an underwater reef observatory. Resident marine biologists are on hand to tell you all about its residents that include shovelnose rays, black-tip reef shark and whitetail stingrays, as well as the reef itself. The resort offers all the usual reef excursions and a number of water sports. There’s a good choice of restaurants and two bars, including the Tonic Bar where the bartenders will craft your perfect G’n’T.
Hamilton Island
Picture a paradise island and Hamilton Island is it: palm-fringed beaches, warm turquoise waters and a lush interior. But it’s also the most inhabited of the Whitsunday Islands with a collection of resorts, its own airport, and array of facilities. It has enticing pools, lavish spas, upscale boutiques, a golf course spread across an entire neighbouring island and accessible by boat, and fantastic restaurants (ranging from relaxed to fine dining). While it’s a hive of activity, there are plenty of places to find a peaceful moment on the tropical isle. Take a sea kayak expedition over coral reefs, paddleboard above manta rays, or follow bush trails to spy wildlife and enjoy a secluded picnic. Hamilton has accommodation to suit all budgets: for unabashed luxury, opt for luxury lodge qualia, for a romantic retreat the adults-only Beach Club is the place to be, or enjoy a tropical home-from-home at the family-friendly Palm Bungalows.
Hayman Island
At 400 hectares, Hayman is one of the largest private island resorts in the Great Barrier Reef and it’s a beauty. In 2019 the northernmost Whitsunday island reopened as InterContinental Hayman Island. This five-star hotel boasts 166 luxurious rooms, three restaurants with excellent cuisine, along with a stunning spa and wellness centre. All rooms have private balconies with thoroughly distracting views of the lagoon, while suites have private pools, outdoor decks and direct access to the beach. Guests can chill out with cocktails and seafood in cabanas by the vast Hayman Pool, slip into the clear waters to snorkel, head off by speedboat to nearby Langford Island or sip sparkling wine on sunset catamaran cruises.
Lady Elliot Island
A tiny coral cay in a highly protected “green zone” at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island has incredible marine life. The island’s lagoon is filled by the tide as you’re eating breakfast and the newly submerged reef can be accessed almost directly from the restaurant, so snorkellers will be delighted. The casual and comfortable 43-room eco-resort doesn’t have a pool (or TVs or phones) but that doesn’t matter. A stay here is all about spending your time out and about on the reef, rather than enjoying the trappings of a luxury resort. There’s plenty to keep you busy: you can go reef walking, snorkelling, diving, and bird watching or take a glass bottom boat tour (including a night-time one). Time your visit right and you could swim with magnificent manta rays and watch green and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The nesting season goes from November to March with the hatchlings emerging several weeks later.
Heron Island
Neighbouring Heron Island is another a low-key escape for nature lovers. The little coral cay, fringed with coral reefs and pristine beaches, has some of the reef’s best snorkelling and diving sites. You can also set off on clear bottomed kayaks which provide great views beneath the waves as you paddle around the island. When you’re not marvelling at the underwater wonders, explore the land on guided nature walks. You can spy nesting green and loggerhead sea turtles in season, spot myriad marine birds and sight migrating humpback whales from June to September. There is some pampering to be had, too, at the relaxed Heron Island Resort, set in an ancient Pisonia forest. It has a pool, lovely spa, restaurant and bar with simple but comfy rooms, suites or beach house.
Wilson Island
Surrounded only by pristine white beaches and crystal blue seas, the picturesque and remote Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef reopened in late 2019. It covers just 5.24 acres of seclusion in a setting of unrivalled natural beauty. Hosting only 18 guests at one time, Wilson Island offers nine designer-inspired tents for overnight stays, complimented with an island host catering to all the culinary and service needs of guests. Evening meals are served from an open kitchen setting at The Longhouse, a central dining area for socialising and relaxing. The eco-friendly island is powered only by battery or solar and due to its secluded location there is no WiFi, allowing guests to switch off from the outside world and truly feel at one with nature.
Dive into Queensland with Audley Travel
There are few places on the planet where the things you experience are entirely unlike anywhere else. The natural beauty and warm balmy climate of Queensland continues to infuse positivity and inspire its local residents to keep forging its undeniable position as the best address on earth.
Life is simple, genuine, easy going, laidback, unpressured. Beauty is in abundance, new experiences sprout at every turn and it is all so accessible. Queensland is where genuine people and beautiful places together, keep creating perfect moments, again and again.
Audley Travel is a tour operator with more than 25 years’ experience in creating meaningful travel experiences. They understand that what motivates you to explore is deeply personal. A trip to Australia with Audley is created completely around you, from the experiences you have to the places you stay. Audley’s award-winning Australia specialists have a deep connection to Australia that can only have come from living or travelling there extensively, so you can rely on them as the dedicated experts who’ll craft your plans into the Australia trip you’re imagining. They won’t just ask you how you want to explore, they’ll ask you how you want to feel and create experiences that will stay with you long after you return home.
Start planning at audleytravel.com
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