DESTINATION INFORMATION

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is nestled amongst the Whitsunday Islands, a group of 74 islands just off the Queensland Coast and at the edge of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Direct flights from Sydney (2 hours), Melbourne (3 hours), Brisbane and Cairns (1 hour) makes getting there a breeze.

When you arrive, you’ll discover that the utmost care has been taken to preserve Hamilton Island in it’s natural state so visitors can enjoy the island’s pristine condition. In fact, over 70% of the island has been preserved so that visitors can continue to enjoy the unspoilt nature trails and secluded cove hideaways on the many bushwalks around the island.

As the ultimate Great Barrier Reef holiday destination, Hamilton Island is the perfect getaway to explore the unique tropical environment of the Whitsunday’s like Whitehaven Beach or Heart Reef.

On Hamilton Island you’ll be spoiled for choice from all the things you can do. With over 40 different activities to enjoy such as snorkelling at the reef, mini golf and sea kayaking to the less energetic like laying around one of our 6 pools or simply relaxing on the beach.

Australia

When he first came to Australia from a gloomy English winter, writer and comedian Stephen Fry commented: “It was like someone just turned on the colour”

He was right of course; Australia is one of the most colourful countries in the world in so many ways. From the sub-tropical north, to the temperate south, the entire country is bathed in a warm sunshine that brings out its natural blues, reds and greens. It’s like holidaying in the brushstrokes of an impressionist’s painting.

Australia is a big country, similar in size to mainland USA and much bigger than all the countries of Western Europe. And it’s big on attractions too.

A trip to Australia isn’t complete without experiencing its iconic and beautiful sites. There’s good reason why Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the natural wonders of the modern world – it’s just so beautiful. The northern tropical warmth brings out the surfer, diver, swimmer and yachtie to the blue, blue water – every day of the year.

In Sydney, the impossibly stunning harbour has visitors constantly mesmerised. The city on its shores pulsates, as every international city should, but the atmosphere is relaxed and the sights are breathtaking. If you can’t find fun in Sydney, you won’t find it anywhere.

The largest blanket of bright red dust imaginable, which covers most of the continent’s centre is weighed down and held in place by the magnificent Ayers Rock – an ancient and sacred aboriginal site smack in the centre of the country known as Uluru. The centrepiece of Australia’s Outback, the Rock, steeped in a unique spirit of the nation’s aboriginal cultural heritage is a must-see inclusion on anyone’s bucket list.

A little further south, in the hills of South Australia’s temperate climes, wine is the only word. The famed and incredibly beautiful Barossa and Clare Valleys, Coonawarra, and McLaren Vale wine districts are a magnet to the sophisticated palate of any wine-lover. And Adelaide, with its more provincial architecture and style cuts a nice cloth on the nation’s food and wine table too.

The contrast between Western Australia’s capital – Perth, with its modern architecture and love affair with beaches and outdoors lifestyle, and the charm of our Apple Isle – Tasmania, is as strong as you could imagine. Tasmania is a microcosmic version of the rest of the country and a postcard sized snapshot of the prettiest parts of Europe. Mountains, lakes, valleys, more wine districts and beautiful cities fill the island and welcome tourists with open arms.

And then there’s Melbourne of course. Classy, sophisticated, Australia’s second largest city is the country’s centre for sports, culture, theatre, food and wine, and fashion. Melbourne is the nation’s capital of so many different pursuits, knowing where to start exploring is your greatest challenge.

Let yourself be surprised by Australia – it’s a land of contrasts and paradoxes. It’s beautiful yet rugged, sophisticated yet relaxed, stylish yet unpretentious, diverse yet united.

And Australians? – They’re the most welcoming people in the world. They love their life, they love their country, and they love sharing it.