Whitsunday Islands

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS – QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

I have been to Australia lots of times and always keep up to date with what’s happening in Queensland. I am a Queensland specialist, and make it a point to inspect new properties, those who have been refurbished, and take new tours. Most of the people who go to Australia visit the three icons, i.e. Sydney, New South Wales, the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, and if the time of year is right, the Outback in the Northern Territory. They only have two seasons, the wet and the dry.

This trip I flew on Air Pacific, non stop from Nadi in Fiji then to Brisbane the capital of Queensland. I stayed one night at the Sofitel Hotel which is right at the train station and in a great location for shopping at David Jones Department Store which is my favorite spot to wander around. I like this hotel because of the great views of Brisbane from its rooms. Since I was going to visit two islands in the Whitsundays, Hamilton and Hayman, the best way to travel is by train.

www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au.

The first train in Queensland set out in l865. At one time, l900 carriages were in the passenger fleet. Time passes differently on a train. It opens your eyes and imprints your heart with experiences that surprise, inspire and delight you. I always have a comfortable night’s sleep, and if you have the time, its much better than flying north.

I do not recommend driving 1750 km up the coast to Cairns. Two lane road, and a boring journey. If you are short of time, then fly.

The Queenslander train goes up the coast to Cairns, which takes 36 hours from Brisbane. I got off at Proserpine, after a very comfortable overnight journey with an excellent dinner .You only take your overnight bag into the cabin, your suitcase goes into the baggage car. The staff make up the beds while you are having dinner. I find it very relaxing to sit and watch the countryside so by, passing thru cattle country, pineapple, banana, and sugar plantations. Queensland homes are all built on stilts, several feet off the ground. This is their way of air conditioning the homes, having the breeze go underneath, Every drop of water is precious here, so each home has a huge tank to capture rain water, and most roofs are made of tin.

The Whitsundays are a group of 74 tropical islands in the Coral Sea, between the Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef. The most popular being Hamilton, Hayman, Daydream, and Brampton. Hamilton is the busiest, with some 13 different hotels. Last trip, I went to see every one of them. My main reason for this visit was to inspect Qualia, a new five star property, consisting of separate bungalows, on a hill, no beach, which comes with its own golf cart for you to get around the island. No cars are allowed on the island, so you either rent a golf car, or take the hotel shuttle into town. Lots of good restaurants, and it is a great yachting destination. This is a great destination for families.
www.qualia.com.au
www.hamiltonisland.com.au

I took a tour with the golf pro of the Hamilton Island Golf Course which is actually on Dent Island close by. They ferry you back and forth. Very few sand traps and no water hazards . Why I asked. There are three kinds of snakes on the island, two deadly. As you can imagine, no one goes looking for their ball when they hit it off the fairway. It was a funny sight to see thousands of white golf balls everywhere you looked.

I then went by luxury launch to Hayman Island, an hour’s journey away from Hamilton.
The airport is on Hamilton Island, so that is where you fly in and out of. Hayman is a luxurious resort, with the beach front suites costing $2,000 a night. The rooms in the two main buildings are all the same, you pay for the location. The ones around the huge swimming pool, three floors, are less than those around the lagoon which is quieter.

There are several restaurants, and this time I was invited to a dinner in the kitchen, put on by the chef. Only 24 guests, with a 10 course meal, with a lecture by the chef on each plate’s preparation, then a lecture by the sommelier about the wine selected It was $495 per person, which I thought was overpriced and took too long.
www.haymanisland.com.au

I was delighted to end my trip with an overnight stay in Sydney, a wonderful city.
I stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel, which has a magnificent view from every room since its on a hill. The room I request for a honeymoon couple is 2213, fantastic corner location with breathtaking views, and my favorite junior suite is 2207. The Altitude Restaurant on the top floor is outstanding.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel

650-961-2340 direct