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

THE WHITSUNDAY COAST & ISLANDS 321
refurbishing, some beachfront units, especially those with Jacuzzis, are looking
positively trendy. The front desk lends hair dryers.
The 405-hectare (1,000-acre) island is a hilly National Park of grasslands,
rainforest, and eucalyptuses with 16km (10 miles) of walking trails, including a
steep climb to Mt. Jeffreys for fabulous 360-degree views. As well as a basic but
pretty 9-hole golf course (small charge for balls), there are catamarans, windsurfers,
and paddle-skis (all free), jet skis, water skis, archery, table tennis, a volleyball
net, and fishing tackle and snorkel gear to rent, and a boutique. The
swimming pool is lined with welcoming lounge chairs under palms, as is the
beach. A packed daily activities program offers everything from parasailing to
coconut-throwing competitions. The dive shop makes dive and snorkel day
trips, takes first-timers diving in the bay, and runs courses. The island is rimmed
with inlets accessible by hiking or rented dinghy. On some days, snorkeling
safaris are run to better reefs than those around the island. Rainbow lorikeets are
everywhere, even on your shoulder stealing food at fish feeding time. A free kids’
club for 5-and-unders operates every day, and during Aussie school vacations a
free club runs for 6- to 12-year-olds.
Although the dining room lacks sea views, the buffet food is fine; good meals
are available at extra cost in Coral’s restaurant some nights, and a cafe sells light
meals. There’s live entertainment every night in the bar, from a staff song-anddance
show to cane toad racing to the Friday-night “Flames of Polynesia” dinner
show.
South Molle Island (7km/4 miles east of Shute Harbour), Whitsunday Islands; P.M.B. 21, Mackay, QLD 4741.
& 1800/075 080 in Australia, or 07/4946 9433. Fax 07/4946 9580. www.southmolleisland.com.au. info@
southmolleisland.com.au. 200 units (some with shower only, some with Jacuzzi). A$342–A$474 (US$222–
US$308) double. Extra adult A$171–A$237 (US$111–US$154), extra child 3–14 A$55 (US$36). Family rates
available in some rooms. Rates include all meals. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. FantaSea Cruises
(& 1800/650 851 in Australia, or 07/4946 5111) and Whitsunday All Over (& 1300/366 494 in Australia,
or 07/4946 9499) provides launch transfers from Shute Harbour and most other islands. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar; outdoor pool and children’s pool; 2 day/night tennis courts; Jacuzzi; sauna; gymnasium; salon; coinop
laundry. In room: A/C, TV.
Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge This resort was designed to show off
the Whitsundays’ natural beauty. Tucked in a cove under towering hoop pines
and palms, it is an environmentally sensitive lodge on a national-park island for
people who want to explore the wilderness in basic comfort, but without the
crowds, noisy watersports, or artificial atmosphere of a resort. It’s also a great
place to meet other travelers. A maximum 16 guests stay in simple but smart
cabins facing the sea, each with a double and single bed, modern bathrooms,
and a private deck facing the sea. Solar power rules, so there is no air-conditioning,
TV, hair dryer, iron, or other appliances. There is one public phone.
Social life centers on an open-sided gazebo by the beach, equipped with a natural-history
library and CDs, where everyone dines together at slab tables under
the Milky Way on fabulous buffet-style campfire meals. Access is only by a short
but stunning helicopter flight from Hamilton Island.
Daily excursions include sailing away on the lodge’s gleaming 10m (33-ft.) catamaran,
a seaplane flight to the Outer Reef and Whitehaven Beach, sea kayaking
the mangroves to spot giant green sea turtles (which are common around the
lodge), snorkeling the fringing reef on uninhabited islands, or bushwalking to a
magical milkwood grove no one else knows about. Or you may prefer to just laze
in the hammocks, or head off with a free sea kayak and snorkel gear. The beach is
more tidal flat than sand, but clean and firm enough to sunbathe on. Wildlife