An exclusive rental or rent exclusively.
Break out the Cristal, Taittinger or Verve because the Queensland borders will be opening soon.
For those wanting to take social distancing to the next level there are a number of islands which can be exclusively rented, or perhaps you would just like extra exclusive accommodation.
Orpheus Island: Open from 10 July
Orpheus Island. Photo credit Tourism and Events Queensland
Arrive in style via your 30 minute helicopter ride from Townsville and step on to your own private beach that you don’t have to share with anyone (except your friends if you’ve brought them along.)
Orpheus is set on a thousand hectares of national park and surrounded by hidden reefs and clear ocean where you can view some stunning marine life.
Cost: From $25,000 per night for a minimum of three nights, including all meals, an on-island chef, drinks, and a daily Orpheus Island experience for you and 27 friends.
Orpheus is also open for individual stays.
Bedarra Island: Open from 1 July
Bedarra Island. Photo credit Tourism and Events Queensland
Bedarra is often referred to as the most exclusive island on the Great Barrier Reef so for the ultimate statement why not rent the entire resort. Set on 45 hectares of rainforest this island offers many glamorous touches such as views of the Coral sea, an infinity pool and the ever popular day bed.
Cost: For those who wish to own the island for a night it will set you back $13,530 for the nine luxury villas, all meals, and unlimited Jacquart Champagne.
Bedarra is also open for individual stays.
Lizard Island: Open from 1 September
Lizard Island. Photo credit Tourism and Events Queensland
If you want to live like royalty, try Lizard Island. Prince Charles has holidayed here as a young bachelor as well as William and Kate. This place is a star magnet having attracted the likes of Demi Moore, Tiger Woods, Teri Hatcher, Greg Norman, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and Orlando Bloom, Ellen de Generes and Russell Crowe.
The most far flung island, you can’t get any closer to the Great Barrier Reef with its colourful underwater world fanning in front of you. There are 24 private beaches to explore, a tough four kilometre hike to the summit or an educational tour of the research station.
You can reach Lizard Island from a one hour long scenic flight from Cairns which flies over a 200 kilometre expanse of the Great Barrier Reef.
Hayman Island: Open from 1 September
Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit Tourism and Events Queensland
We love a refurbishment and Hayman has undergone a $135 million face-lift, bringing the highest standards of luxury and service delivered to guests visiting one of the world’s most desirable destinations.
There’s a new Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House, fronting Hayman Beach and offering 400 square metres of privacy. Each of the three suites has its own plunge pool, master ensuite and over-sized bathtub with the social spaces offering luxury island living with open plan dining and living room, alfresco entertaining, private sun lounges and unobstructed beach access. Another large change to the resort is the introduction of the five distinct restaurants and bars.
Hayman is the most northerly of the Whitsundays surrounded by mountains and of course beaches. At 294 hectares and rising 250 metres at its highest point, the island features a sweeping expanse of beachfront and 14 hectares of tropical gardens and exotic flora and fauna including white cockatoos, painted lorikeets, kookaburras, kingfishers and rock wallabies.
If lazing around on the beach isn’t your thing, there’s plenty here to fill your day from the squash courts, tennis courts, golf simulator, spa and sauna, a pool seven times the size of an Olympic pool and a range of water sports such as catamaran sailing, windsurfing, fishing trips, private charters, diving, and snorkelling.
Hayman is an hour’s ride from Hamilton Island via a luxury boat with complimentary Champagne.
Qualia on Hamilton Island: open from 1 August
Qualia. Photo credit Travmedia/Qualia
Qualia has been given the tag as the most luxurious resort in the world by Conde Nast Traveller in 2012.
Set on the northern most tip of Hamilton Island with a sun drenched aspect, Qualia offers a choice of sixty private pavilions for adults only. Many have their own plunge pool and outdoor showers.
Indulge at the Spa Qualia with an Australian spa menu, swim, gym, read and eat at the private dining room or restaurants which are exclusive to in house guests.
There’s Australia’s only island championship golf course, spectacular snorkelling and diving. You will want for nothing here from unparalleled sailing through to picnics at a private beach.
There’s also a great attraction in the Whitsundays – the Ngaro Underwater Marine Sculpture Trail. This trail consists of six large marine fauna and flora metal sculptures including a turtle, a Maori wrasse, and manta. You can scuba-dive or snorkel to the sculptures, but as they are in shallow water, you can also spot them from a boat.
For more inspiration or to start planning your next holiday, talk to your personal travel manager. You can find one near you here.
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