Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
In March 2005 after marrying my Irish husband in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia we flew direct from Melbourne to Hamilton Island with a few of our Irish friends. We rented a luxury four bedroom villa overlooking the island which came with a golf buggy (the main form of transportation on the island). Hamilton Island has the best of both worlds where you can relax in the privacy of your own villa or use any of the resort facilities. Hamilton Island has several ranges of accommodation to choose from and you are welcome to use the other resort facilities. There are several swimming pool areas including a swim up bar pool. Various restaurants are available on the island and the marina area includes a supermarket, off license, restaurants, shops, pub and even a nightclub. One morning we had breakfast with the koalas and I got to have my picture taken holding a Koala. We frequently had visits from Kookaburras and cockatoos on our balcony during our stay.
After a few days on Hamilton Island we hired a catamaran yacht and sailed around the Whitsunday Islands with our friends. This was an amazing experience, the boat was well equipped and came stocked with luxury food. We had the freedom to sail around the islands and anchor at night in idyllic locations. My favorite spot had to be Whitehaven Beach which for anyone visiting the Whitsundays is a must see. It has been included in the top 10 beaches in the world on numerous occasions. The white sandy beach and clear blue waters are spectacular and it was a privilege to anchor there for a night. Enjoying a BBQ on our boat with a glass of white wine and the sunset over Whitehaven Beach is an unforgettable experience. In the evening sitting out with friends in the warm tropical air, under the clear Southern hemisphere skies looking for the Southern Cross from the deck of our yacht are the kind of memories to treasure from a holiday away.
After saying goodbye to our friends we started the real honeymoon and from Hamilton Island a luxury cruiser took us to Hayman Island. On the cruiser you can sit back in the leather seats, sipping champagne and enjoying the canapés while the onboard hostess checks you into your accommodation. Hayman Island truly is a five star experience and perfect for a honeymoon. No trip would be complete to the Whitsundays without experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. From Hayman I took a boat trip out to the reef to go scuba diving and see the amazing coral and tropical marine life first hand. I treated myself to a helicopter ride back from the reef platoon back to Hayman Island which is definitely worth the extra expense. From the air you can truly appreciate the size and amazing colors of one of the natural wonders of the world.
In October 2006 we attended one of my friend’s wedding on Hamilton Island and again rented a luxury villa with a group of our friends. There is a wedding chapel on the island and the setting was perfect for such a romantic occasion.
Finally in January 2008 we visited Hamilton Island once again with our two year old son and stayed in the Hamilton Island Reef hotel. The island is a wonderful location for children as it is well equipped for a safe, relaxing family holiday. One of my most abiding memories must surely be a night we spent listening to an outdoor concert beneath the glistening stars of the Australian sky. On this trip we also stayed at Daydream Island, which is a great resort for kids.
The Whitsunday Islands has something for everyone and it is without doubt a location I will travel to again.