The Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane

The Whitsundays

For as long as we have known each other, Valerie has been talking about wanting to go to The Whitsunday Islands off the north east coast of Australia. One of our favorite music groups was coming to Brisbane, which is a short 90 minute flight to Hamilton Island, the vibrant heart of the Whitsundays. We have never been to Brisbane either, so we decided to take the leap and tick two more destinations off of our Australian list.

Arrival

Unfortunately, the only way to get from Perth is a red eye flight through Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. We ended up going through Sydney, and so when we arrived we were pretty exhausted. The island has the vibe of relaxed energy that immediately has you slowing down and just taking all of the scenery in. Golf buggies are the official mode of transport, and you can walk between the hotel and the marina (where most of the restaurants and shops are).

View from our room at The Reef View Hotel.

Our home for the week was the Reef View Hotel, and the name couldn't be more fitting. We flung open the doors to our balcony, and there it was—a breathtaking panorama of the Coral Sea, its surface shimmering in a dozen shades of blue and turquoise, with the green hills of the surrounding islands. Waking up to that view every morning was a therapy session in itself. The beach was across the street and the hotel is part of a group of hotels along the same beach. It’s great because you have access to each of the resorts and their different pools as well.

Dinner at Pebble Beach

We travel on a budget, but we usually will splurge on one really nice meal on most trips. For Hamilton Island, we booked a table at Pebble Beach, the signature restaurant at the very posh and fancy Qualia resort. The restaurant is perched right on the water's edge, and as the sun set, the sky faded from orange to pink. We sat with a glass of bubbles and watched as the ocean gently lapped against the stones just steps away. Every dish that arrived was a work of art, highlighting the local seafood and produce that was as beautiful to look at as it was to eat. It was an unforgettable experience, a perfect fusion of stunning nature and an onslaught of flavor.

Great Barrier Reef at Reefworld

You can’t visit the Whitsundays without a trip out to see even the smallest bit of the Great Barrier Reef. We boarded a high-speed catamaran for the journey out to Reefworld, a pontoon moored permanently at the spectacular Hardy Reef. As we sped away from the islands, the water became increasingly rough, and since we were sitting outside, the water was constantly splashing over the sides of the boat. After the 2 hour ride to Reef World, we were absolutely drenched. Luckily, we were in our bathing suits so it was no big deal, but needless to say we found seats inside the boat for the trip back.

As we approached the reef, we were instantly surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colour. We spent a few hours just relaxing and taking in the 360 degree view surrounded by the reef. We took a ride in the submarine traveling out into the reef to see more of the alien world unfold through the windows. Unfortunately, due to recent weather the visibility was not great, but what we could say was truly stunning. We even caught a few turtles swimming by. Jeremy didn’t snorkel because of the stingers (tiny jellyfish), but Valerie took the plunge and said it was a completely mezmerizing experience. Either way you go about it, seeing this vibrant ecosystem up close is a powerful and humbling reminder of what a precious treasure the reef truly is. It is a must see!

A Masterpiece of Sand and Sea: Whitehaven Beach

Our final adventure was a trip to Whitehaven Beach. We’d seen the photos, but nothing can prepare you for the reality. It was raining on and off, so we didn’t get the sunbathing and relaxing on the sand experience we wanted, but just being on that pristine beach even with a boat load of people there with us felt really secluded in the best way. The sand is like fine, white flour. It’s 98% pure silica, which means it squeaks when you walk on it and, we are told, never gets hot. We waded through the crystal-clear, bath-warm water and simply sat watching the waves roll in.

It was really hard to leave Whitsundays. It’s a place where the blues are bluer, the sand is whiter, and the pace of life slows to match the rolling waves. After having such high expectations for this place for so long, it shockingly met each and every one of them.

Brisbane

A quick flight from the island to Brisbane, we arrived in the evening in a torrential downpour, so we grabbed a few drinks at the hotel bar and headed to bed. We woke up to sunshine the next day, so we chose to take advantage of it. We got out walking around along the river, which the locals call “The Brown Snake.” After lunch we decided to take a boat tour to see the city from the river. We slowly snaked (pun intended) up the river while listening to the captain tell us about the city’s history and architecture. It is one of Australia’s big shipping ports, which has added to its diversity of cultures and a vibrant food scene.

Day two we walked across the bridge again and into the more artsy West End where we found this great greek food restaurant for lunch, and then got out of the rain at a spa where we relaxed further in the jacuzzis, saunas and with a lovely massage.

On our last day, we flew out later in the evening, so we took the CityCat (water taxi) over to the massive Felon Brewing where we sat under cover having some food and a few beers under the iconic Story Bridge. It was a bit gloomy and cold, but no less relaxing and enjoyable. Leaving Brisbane, we decided it wasn’t our favorite city in Australia, and if people are asking, it is worth a short visit but there are far more interesting places and vibrant cities across Australia to head to before making this a destination.

It is exciting to see so much of a country we love! Australia has so much to offer and the north east coast is not to be missed.

Cheers! Where to Next?!