Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

320
CHAPTER 6 . QUEENSLAND & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Value Go in the Low Season
You will probably have to pay the “rack” rates quoted below during
school vacations. Other times, you can usually get a package deal that’s a
much better value. Qantas offers airfare-inclusive packages from most
Australian state-capital cities and Cairns. If you show up in the Whitsundays
in the off season without a reservation, you can sometimes snare an
excellent standby deal. It never hurts to ask.
available at reception. There’s nothing fancy about the food in the seafront buffet
restaurant, so you may want to buy a barbecue-it-yourself meat pack from
the little cafe. Casual is the byword here—pack your old surf shorts.
Whitsunday Passage, Whitsunday Islands, P.O. Box 1080, Airlie Beach, QLD 4802. & 1800/075 125 in Australia,
or 07/4946 9400. Fax 07/4946 9555. www.clubcroc.com.au. 156 units, 140 with bathroom (shower
only). A$198–A$240 (US$129–US$156) double lodge room; A$298–A$380 (US$194–US$247) double garden
room; A$348–A$430 (US$226–US$280) double beachfront room. Children ages 3–16 A$65 (US$42). Rates
include all meals. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Whitsunday All Over (& 07/4946 6900) provides 30-
min. launch transfers from Shute Harbour for A$37 (US$24) adults, A$16 (US$10) children ages 4–14, or A$89
(US$58) family round-trip. Amenities: Restaurant; cafe; bar; 2 outdoor pools; Jacuzzi; sauna; gym; tennis
courts; tour desk; salon; babysitting; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C (except lodges), ceiling fans, TV, fridge,
minibar (beachfront rooms only), safe (beachfront rooms only), iron.
Palm Terrace, Hamilton Island This is the best value option for visitors to
ritzy Hamilton Island. More than A$2.3 million (US$1.5 million) was spent in
2001 converting an existing lodge into this budget hotel set in quiet gardens
near Catseye Beach. About a third of the rooms have uninterrupted ocean and
beach views. The island has four other hotels, ranging from private bungalows
to a five-star luxury Beach Club, as well as a choice of privately owned apartments
and luxury villas. The rooms in Palm Terrace are large and have big balconies.
Each sleeps three and has a king-size bed as well as a choice of double
sofa bed or a single bed with a trundle. Guests have free use of non-motorized
watercraft. Families staying in the Palm Terrace can take advantage of the “Kids
Stay, Play and Eat for Free” program which includes free accommodation for
children under 15 (using existing bedding), admission to the Clownfish Club
(small charge for children under 3) and free meals in a selection of the island’s
restaurants when dining with their parents.
Hamilton Island Resort, Hamilton Island (16km/10 miles southeast of Shute Harbour), Whitsunday Islands, QLD
4803. & 1800/075 110 in Australia, or 02/8353 8444 (reservations office in Sydney), or 07/4946 9999 (the
island). Fax 02/8353 8499 (reservations office in Sydney), or 07/4946 8888 (the island). www.hamilton
island.com.au. 60 units, all with bathroom (shower only). A$249 (US$162) per room per night (all units sleep
3). AE, DC, MC, V. Ask about packages. Free airport-resort transfers for all guests. FantaSea Cruises (& 1800/
650 851 in Australia, or 07/4946 5111) provides the cheapest transfers from the mainland (Shute Harbour)
and most other islands. Amenities: 11 restaurants; 6 bars; 6 outdoor pools; minigolf and driving range;
day/night tennis courts; health club and spa; extensive range of watersports and activities; bike rental; childcare
center for kids from 6 weeks–14 years (in 3 groups); tour desk; business center and secretarial services;
shopping arcade; salon; massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV, minibar, coffeemaker, hair
dryer, iron.
South Molle Island Resort This is a good-value choice. It’s not glamorous,
but many activities and all meals are included in the rates. The complex, built
around a curving white sand bay, is getting on in years, so expect a nicely maintained
but modest set of accommodations nestled in tropical gardens or along
a hillside. Each unit has sea, garden, or golf course views. Following a 1999