22-26_ttg_lux_australia 27/2/09 15:30 Page 25
And Lizard has only one swimming
pool, but there’s really no need for more
when the beach is so picture perfect. Kate
Lizard has only one
Hudson and Matthew McConaughey shot
diving-movie Fool’s Gold here. Hudson
swimming pool, but
recently told the Mail on Sunday that
Lizard Island is “the most romantic place
there’s really no in the world… the ultimate.”
need for more when
Queensland’s luxury output is not
confined to the Great Barrier Reef,
the beach is so
however. North of Cairns there is Palm
Cove, dubbed the ‘spa capital of Australia’,
picture perfect
and then there’s wealthy Port Douglas, the
closest town to the reef and also the
gateway to Daintree and Cape Tribulation,
where forest and reef spectacularly meet.
Life in Port Douglas revolves around
its beaches and waterfront. Restaurants
down on Wharf Street include the
also has three well-established ‘premium’ award-winning Salsa, a Port Douglas icon.
resorts on the reef: Lizard, Bedarra Signed plates on the wall signal its star
and Wilson. status – Doug Ryan, executive officer of
Port Douglas and Daintree Tourism,
Lizard lounge points out a plate signed by Bill Clinton.
The reef surrounding Lizard Island, 17 It’s dated September 11, 2001; Clinton
miles off the north coast of Cairns, is of was dining here as the planes crashed
such good quality that one of Australia’s into the Twin Towers.
most respected marine research centres is
based there. Private palaces
Our 11-seater propeller-plane had barely Interesting accommodation options in
touched down on the island’s tiny runway Port Douglas include the private houses
before I’d pulled on my mask and fins to available to rent through Executive
see for myself: unquestionably the best Retreats. Hans and Wendy Van Der Wolf
snorkelling I’ve ever done. rent out luxurious family properties on
But Lizard has a vastly different feel to behalf of their wealthy owners, and have
Qualia, being so far from any other islands built one or two themselves from scratch.
and reachable only by tiny aircraft. While I stayed in The Bali House, a five
Qualia has its plasma-screen TVs and bedroom, four bathroom Balinese palace,
150 in-house movies, Lizard has just one with a heated pool and hot tub, shared use
Crowning Queensland TV set. Qualia has a mini-bar filled with of a tennis court, and masses of living and
Queensland may have been perceived as a expensive gourmet snacks; Lizard supplies dining space. These are real homes, so they
backpackers’ hangout in the past but it too a glass jar of home-baked cookies. come with groceries in the pantry, DVDs in
is packing an ever greater luxury punch.
“Many of our clients have backpacked
round Australia and wish to return to their
favourite beach or location in luxury,” says
Turquoise Holidays director James Bell.
“Queensland is a new, young luxury
market and is very important to us.”
Tourism Queensland now estimates
that 27% of visitors stay in four or five-star
accommodation. And at last year’s
International Luxury Travel Market, a
record six Queensland exhibitors included
Qualia, Palazzo Versace, Shangri-la and
Wilderness Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the
natural wonders of the world, is the focus
of much of the luxury product in the state.
In 2007, the tourist board launched an
‘Islands of the Great Barrier Reef’
How to sEll: REEF ENCOUNTERS
campaign to focus on its diversity, and the
Reef is increasingly inviting comparison Underwater some have an expert or marine can fly a couple to a deserted coral
with other luxury island destinations. The Great Barrier Reef is a fantastic biologist onboard. For a more cay for brunch from £720 per
“Queensland has never been sold as an place to learn to dive. Clients private experience, charter a whole person. Cairns Seaplanes can
island destination but we’re trying to turn should allow four days for a basic vessel. Sailaway IV is a new luxury whisk a bridal couple and five
that on its head,” says Bell. “I think it can PADI Open Water qualification. catamaran based in Port Douglas, guests to a remote cay for a
rival the Aegean Islands or Indian Ocean Qualified divers can charter private costing around £2,300 for a full wedding ceremony with lunch and
islands. It has so much variety, and is great vessels and crew for greater diving day’s sailing for up to 33 guests. photography, for around £2,300.
for those wanting something more active.” freedom. Poseidon-cruises.com.au Sailawayportdouglas.com Skysafari.com.au
Rather than clients speeding through Chartering private aircraft is
with just one or two nights of a multi-stop On the water Bird’s eye view another option. Hinterland Aviation
itinerary there, they could consider a full A multitude of yachts, small cruise Seeing the reef from the air is is used by Voyages to fly clients to
week or two in the region, he adds. ships and catamarans offer reef another breathtaking experience. Lizard and Bedarra Islands, and
Properties of note include Hayman tours off the coast of Queensland. Skysafari operates helicopter reef also has a base at Cairns for clients
Island, which consistently ranks as one Most will include lunch and will tours from Port Douglas and flying in by private jet.
of the best hotels in the world. Voyages offer snorkelling equipment, and Cairns. The GBR Helicopter group Hinterlandaviation.com.au
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