I’m back amid Queensland’s tropical Whitsunday Islands, a 74-isle slice of Australia splashed with offshore resorts ranging from budget to ultra-luxurious. It’s the most visited section of the Pacific – facing the Great Barrier Reef.Romantic Hayman Island epitomises an opulent niche but family friendly options such as South Molle Island are plentiful. Oz’ most exclusive resort,Woodwark Bay, is on the neighbouring mainland.
Its slogan – “secluded but not isolated”– proves apt.Near embarkation points for reef isles,Woodwark Bay emits gloriously middleof- nowhere vibes but is a mere 20-minute drive to Airlie Beach. A thriving resort strip with boutiques, hotels, restaurants, galleries and artsand- crafts outlets,Airlie Beach adjoins Shute Harbour from where launches serve resort isles or offer day-trip cruises.
From Airlie Beach’s addictive bustle, retreating to Woodwark Bay’s solitude proves splendid therapy: 1,616ha of bushland acres adjoin 20,200ha of virgin national park forest.
Beyond an imposing entrance off the highway, reminiscent of a gateway to some grand estate, is Woodwark Bay. Imagine, as I did, a top-drawer Banyan Tree or Evason Hideaway. Now subtract strangers.You and a partner – perhaps with family or friends – have the resort to yourselves. Only one group (one to 14
people) is permitted. In today’s mass travel era, extreme indulgence is reflected in the room rates. “It’s not for everyone – we don’t pretend it is,”says a spokesman.A plus:with no one to impress there’s no dressing up – unless you intend to outshine each other.
Accommodation, in six greenery-shrouded thatched dwellings (hosting king-size beds and five-star amenities), leads to spacious bathrooms. The Main House anchors activity, with internet links, plasma TV,DVDs and an airy dining room. Guests gather here – or, if only two are staying, occupy one of two bedrooms unless preferring other buildings. For instance, the expansive one-bedroom Dream House,with limestone floors and comfy couches, looks east to distant Double Cone Island.
The two-bedroom Pebble House features a bathroom tiled with river stones and an additional outdoor bath and shower for two, while its lawns sweep to a bay with private beach. Simpler Island Hut with dominant aquablue paint is a fisherman’s favourite. The Siamese Huts are twin luxurious dwellings for families or two couples; a linking deck doesn’t reduce privacy. Over a footbridge in a quiet glade is a Honeymoon Hut with beamed ceiling, two outdoor baths and cosy sitting area with soft-leather poufs.
A do-nothing mood dominates. Laze poolside with books from a well-stocked library. “Modern Australian”cuisine denotes light, fresh, lightly spiced fare appropriately emphasising seafood.Massage therapists are on call from nearby Airlie Beach.
Woodwark Bay has 100km of private roads and a lake stocked with succulent barramundi, renowned as Australia’s best eating fish. Hike to rainforest waterfalls where kangaroos hop across trails. Feed tropical fish swimming near shore. Dolphins and turtles are often spotted. Seaplanes can be arranged to idyllic reef spots. Or there’s game fishing, golf,windsurfing, canoeing, parasailing, water skiing and quad biking.
Tempting as all this is, guests venture out to explore the Whitsundays.There’s Airlie Beach, abuzz with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and boutiques where a number of companies offer day – or longer – trips to scenic isles.Tip: take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach, an idyllic strip of gleaming sand on an uninhabited isle, or a flight over Heart Reef’s predictably but enchantingly shaped coral. If budgets allow,Woodwark Bay is its ultimate splurge. Otherwise, the area is awash in accommodation in all price categories.
FACT FILE
? Woodwark Bay, tel 61 8 8354 4405, email [email protected] or www.woodwalkbay.com.au Only one party at a time. From A$4,400 (US$3,378) a night, single or couple, to A$10,890 (US$8,360) for 14 people. Each booking requires a refundable A$10,000 (US$7,732) deposit against damages plus A$1,500 (US$1,159) a day to offset against alcohol, chargeable activities (such as those requiring motors such as parasailing) and extra fees for special dietary requirements such as freshly-caught lobster at all meals with the balance refunded.
? Easiest access from Asia is through Brisbane or Sydney airports, with domestic connections on Qantas to Hamilton Island and launch or light aircraft transfers to Shute Harbour, adjoining Airlie Beach or Virgin Blue to Proserpine. The resort is a 20km drive from Airlie Beach, 35km from Proserpine. Car rentals are available at all airports and in Airlie Beach town.
