Hamilton Island
With its superb location in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, renowned restaurants, wide range of accommodation and huge selection of activities, Hamilton Island is the ultimate tropical getaway. Howerver, with a population of around 1,000 permanent residents, Hamilton Island is more than just a tourist destination. It’s also a thriving community, with an interesting history, some incredible contemporary landmarks, and a great sense of environmental responsibility.
Located in the Whitsunday Islands, in the heart of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most pristine and idyllic holiday destinations. While it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind, Hamilton Island also offers more than 60 fun and exciting holiday activities – ranging from golf, snorkelling, and swimming with turtles, to sunset yacht charters, art classes, windsurfing and live ballet performances. The island is also renowned for its food and wine – with a seemingly endless selection of fine dining restaurants, spectacular waterfront bars, and fun, relaxed cafes.
qualia luxury hotel is our choice from all the accommodation on the island. Voted the best resort in the world by Conde Naste Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards (2012), qualia epitomises pure, understated Australian luxury. On the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island, and set in lush, tropical gardens, qualia is pure Australian luxury: a place where everything has been meticulously designed for total relaxation and true sensory indulgence.
Accommodation type:
Leeward Pavilion
(Minimum 2 night stay applies for travel from 1 February 2015)
Elegantly designed and beautifully furnished, these one-bedroom pavilions have a private sundeck with eucalypts framing stunning tropical garden or water views.
Why you’ll love the Leeward Pavilions:
Your private, secluded sundeck where you can enjoy every idle moment: soak up some sun, enjoy a book, a glass or wine or a sunset drink in complete privacy. Spacious, fully-equipped pavilion. After a long day relaxing or exploring the island, sink into your plush king-size bed with soft cotton liners and plump pillows. Luxury en-suite with stone fixtures and freestanding bath. CD and DVD player, flat-screen TV with complimentary movies on demand and iPod connectivity so you can enjoy your music, your way.
Windward Pavilion
(Minimum 2 night stay applies for travel from 1 February 2015)
For pure holiday luxury, the Windward Pavilions offer private, infinity-edge plunge pools, magnificent views, and understated designer furnishings.
Why you’ll love the Windward Pavilions:
Take a dip in your private, temperature controlled, infinity-edge plunge pool. Enjoy the space of this generous pavilion, with separate living area, bedroom and bathroom. Relax on your sun deck, and enjoy the postcard-perfect views. Unwind in style, with luxurious, designer furnishings. Enjoy the contemporary, breezy interior, with warm timber floors and generous open windows.
Beach House
(Minimum 2 night stay applies for travel from 1 February 2015)
Representing complete luxury and indulgence, qualia Beach House is a secluded and spectacular beachfront hideaway.
Why you’ll love the Beach House:
Plunge into the Beach House’s private, 12-metre infinity swimming pool, or enjoy some sun on the private, furnished deck. Feel a million miles away, surrounded by Australian bushland and tropical, landscaped gardens. Enjoy all the peace and quiet you could want, or entertain guests – with room to seat up to ten people in the dining room. Guests can also stay overnight in the separate guesthouse which has its own en-suite bathroom and private deck. Relax amid beautiful furnishings and enjoy the designer fit-out of this luxury pavilion.
Feel the comfort of a stone en-suite bathroom, with separate bath and shower. Enjoy a whole range of entertainment, with a large flat-screen TV with complimentary movies on demand, a DVD and CD, iPod connectivity and mini bar stocked with gourmet goods.
Fine dining
Sample seasonal and local produce from qualia’s Executive Chef at the resort’s own Long Pavilion restaurant, including a complimentary a la carte breakfast daily.
Or try Pebble Beach for a more relaxed dining experience.
qualia resort facilities
Situated in one of the world’s most spectacular locations, and with a range of world-class facilities, qualia offers the ultimate in understated Australian luxury: Enjoy your private infinity-edge plunge pool (Windward and Beach House pavilions), lap pool (Beach House), or private sundeck. Enjoy personalized service, around the clock, from the guest services team.
Indulge at Spa qualia, with its unique treatments to relax both the body and mind. Breathe in the fresh, sea air and admire the Eucalypt-framed views.
Watersports – diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing and jet ski
Enjoying the water around the Whitsundays is what Hamilton Island is all about. Snorkel around the reef, visit world-famous dive sites, play beach games on the pristine, white sand, fly across the water on a jet ski, or slow down the pace and see nature up close on a sea kayak.
Snorkelling and diving tours
The Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the most pristine dive destinations in the world – with spectacular coral formations, hundreds of species of fish, turtles, manta rays and even visiting dolphins and whales. Experience all the incredible beauty of this spectacular part of this region, with a dive or snorkel tour from Hamilton Island.
Snorkel or Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Discover all the beauty and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef with a visit to some of its most secluded and precious areas, on this unforgettable day trip from Hamilton Island.
Why you’ll love the Snorkel or Dive the Great Barrier Reef tour:
Small tour group. Numbers for this trip are kept well under capacity, to ensure you’re able to enjoy your reef experience with as much space – and peace and quiet – as possible. Visit pristine, less-visited areas of the Reef. Your tour includes a stop at Bait Reef – a special management area with pristine coral structures and an incredible display of marine life. You will also visit renowned dive sites at Stepping Stones, Paradise Lagoon and Manta Ray Drop Off. Travel in comfort. You will travel to the Reef on board one of Hamilton Island’s purpose-built, 24-metre catamarans. As well as a dive platform with hydraulically lowered stairs, each catamaran boasts lounge style seating, an air-conditioned interior, partially shaded deck, and freshwater hot and cold showers. Quality equipment. High quality Mares diving and snorkeling gear is supplied, along with wetsuits/stinger suits and flotation jackets (if required).
Splash, snorkel, dive or soak up the reef. With all equipment provided, you will have plenty of opportunities to snorkel around Bait Reef Marine Park. You can also spend your time diving, swimming or simply splashing about and enjoying the beauty of this world heritage area.
Education session. Your tour also includes an educational presentation on the way to the reef.
Snorkel or Dive Whitsunday Islands
With its pristine waters, fringing coral reefs and white, sandy coves, the Whitsundays is one of the world’s most beautiful aquatic playgrounds. Experience the underwater beauty of this renowned region, with this half-day dive and snorkel tour from Hamilton Island.
What you’ll love about this Snorkel and Dive Whitsunday Islands tour:
Cruise along the Whitsundays passage on one of Hamilton Island’s premium dive vessels.
Your expert tour guides will select the best moorings for diving and snorkeling, depending on the conditions.
High quality Mares diving and snorkeling gear is included, as well as wetsuits/stinger suits and flotation jackets (if required).
You’ll enjoy 2 hours of free time, in which you can dive, snorkel, swim, or simply relax and enjoy the view.
Group size is kept small, so you can enjoy the extra space and intimate atmosphere.
Enjoy either a morning tea or afternoon tea aboard the dive vessel, depending on your time of departure. A light lunch is also included.
Great Barrier Reef Reefsleep Experience
Discover the peace and tranquillity of the Great Barrier Reef after dark – with this unique and truly unforgettable Reefsleep experience. As part of this small and exclusive tour, you will spend two days and one night out at Reefworld, on the magnificent Hardy Reef.
What you’ll love about the Great Barrier Reef Reefsleep Experience:
Small tour group. This overnight tour is limited to 12 people, so that after dark, you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this precious part of the world.
Choice of accommodation. You can opt for either a bright and fully-equipped air-conditioned cabin, or you can sleep under the stars in a very comfortable swag (with shared bathroom facilities).
Peace and quiet. All other day visitors to the Reefworld pontoon depart at 2.30 pm (except for a small group of helicopter guests who depart slightly later) and return at 11.00 am the following day (again, helicopter guests may arrive slightly earlier), so the time in between is exclusive to Reefsleep guests. Enjoy an alfresco dinner prepared by the on-board chef, or relax with a drink and watch the sunset from the top deck of the pontoon.
Quality meals and service. During your stay, you will receive personal service from your Reefsleep host, an alfresco dinner including wine and beer (extra cost), a full breakfast, two buffet lunches, and morning and afternoon tea daily.
Snorkel or dive the reef during the day. You will have plenty of time to snorkel around the reef and your tour includes all snorkeling equipment (including stinger suit).
Experience all that Reefworld has to offer. When you’re finished diving or snorkeling, you can also enjoy a semi-submersible coral viewing, reef appreciation talk, and unlimited access to the 50 seat underwater viewing chamber.
FACES OF THE SEA SCUBA HOLIDAYS 