Clare and Bryan Urwin experience a world-class ... - Cove Travel

well travelledqualia –Queensland’s jewelClare and Bryan Urwin experience a world-class resort on Hamilton Island.Hamilton IslandIf you are looking for somewhere with a feelingof stylish understated luxury, combined withauthentic Australian hospitality, then you must goto qualia. It’s a gorgeous place. Situated on thesecluded northern-most tip of Hamilton Island, thisboutique resort is world-class and offers guestspersonalised service in a tranquil and sophisticatedatmosphere. qualia is special. Everything hasbeen meticulously considered to provide perfectrelaxation in spectacular surroundings.Winemaker and victorious sailing enthusiast BobOatley bought Hamilton Island itself in 2003 andsince then the Oatley family has built the luxuriousqualia, as well as a stunning new yacht club, theYacht Club Villas and an 18-hole golf course onneighbouring Dent Island. Bob is a passionateAustralian who believes in highlighting the country’ssuperb natural beauty. His vision has been realisedwith qualia.Promising privacy and celebrating the purity ofthe Whitsunday’s coastal environment, the air ofserenity is obvious as soon as you step throughqualia’s gates. The calm atmosphere is furtherenhanced by the absence of children. Guests mustbe 16 years or over.Then there is the ‘wow’ factor. On enteringthe casually elegant Long Pavilion, the view isbreathtaking. There is an infinity edge pool thelength of the room, which seems to stretch rightinto the blue green Coral Sea beyond.Surrounded by 12 hectares of manicuredgrounds, the accommodation consists of 60 onebedroomhillside pavilions designed by Australianarchitect Chris Beckingham … and they really area wonderful place to relax and unwind. Absoluteseclusion is provided by the lush vegetation andEucalyptus trees, yet, due to thoroughly consideredplanning, the postcard views of the WhitsundayIslands are uninhibited.Two types of pavilions are available – Leewardwhich face south west and Windward, which arenorth facing. Constructed of natural timbers andstone from the area, both have a generous livingarea, stylishly designed bathroom, large sun deckand well appointed galley kitchen. Windwardpavilions also have a separate bedroom and theirown individual plunge pools.Then, for the absolute luxurious hideawayholiday, there is the Beach House. It has a spaciousentertaining area including private lawns, aseparate guesthouse and full sized swimming pool.Incidentally, all pavilions have their own electric golfbuggy – ideal for getting around the grounds andfor exploring the island.As you would expect in a resort of this standard,the food is superb. Two exclusive restaurantsprovide fresh and innovative fare to inspire yourpalate, complemented by premium Australian andimported wines from the sommelier-compiled winelist. Unsurprisingly, wines from the Robert OatleyVineyards are also featured. Guests can enjoy theultimate in fine dining at the elegant Long Pavilionplus a more relaxed casual experience at thePebble Beach restaurant on the water’s edge.Other resort facilities include a stylish boutique,with international labels such as Collette Dinnigan,Camilla Franks and Prada, a well-stocked library,two expansive swimming pools and a state-ofthe-artfitness centre. There is also a water-sportsarea with sea kayaks, snorkelling equipmentand catamarans. A sunset cruise around thespectacular Whitsunday Islands onboard qualia’sexclusive 45-foot luxury vessel, The Atomic,is highly recommended. There is also a privatehelipad for guests who prefer to arrive in thismanner, or who wish to inspect the reef andWhitehaven Beach by helicopter.But, for a truly memorable all-encompassingsensual experience, visit Spa qualia … Offeringan extensive range of luxurious indigenous andinternational treatments, Spa qualia’s amenitiesinclude six deluxe treatment rooms, some withoutdoor showers, Roman baths, an invigoratingSwiss shower and a steam room. There is alsoa beautiful open-air yoga and meditation pavilionperfectly positioned to capture the tranquil viewsof the islands.Then there is the golf … The Hamilton Island GolfClub on Dent Island was opened in August 2009and is a ten-minute boat ride from the main >>78 79

Photographer Andrea FrancoliniDent Islandharbour. This par 71, 18-hole golf course measures the food there is of qualia standard. Ideal for a6,120 metres and features two distinctly different leisurely lunch.nine-hole circuits. Designed by Peter Thomson to If you want to do some further exploring, takechallenge all levels of golf enthusiasts from social your buggy and rediscover Hamilton Island.to professional golfers, it’s the only championship It’s certainly come of age. The new yacht clubgolf course on its own island in Australia.overlooking the marina is a stunning statementThe setting is spectacular. The island’s building with a billowing sail-shaped copper roof.natural and rugged beauty, together with its Designed by renowned Australian architect Waltermountainous terrain, allows 360-degree views Barda, alongside famed yachtsman Iain Murray, it isacross secluded coves and beaches to adjacent justifiably called the ‘Opera House of Queensland’.passages, islands and the mainland. Playing the The facilities at the yacht club are impressive. Thecourse for the first time I found a huge temptation fine dining Bonnie restaurant serves contemporaryto keep taking photographs instead of taking the Australian fare with style, panache and amazingnumber of my shots!views. The lovely all-day outdoor bar has equallyPromising privacy and celebrating the purity of theWhitsunday’s coastal environment, the air of serenityis obvious as soon as you step through qualia’s gates.And there were plenty of those … It certainly is impressive views, especially at sunset.a challenging course with several blind holes, lots However, during your stay at qualia you may notof changes in elevation, many restricted landing even wish to venture outside the gates and thatareas and ever-present breezes adding to the decision is perfectly understandable. Why leave acontest. Great fun though – and if you are a golfer, place with the perfect combination of world-classDent Island is definitely a course to play at least luxury surrounded by rare natural beauty? Integrityonce, preferably twice. By the way, losing balls is is also a word that can be used when describingmandatory. There are few parallel fairways, so if you qualia. Fiercely Australian, unpretentious andhit out of bounds your ball is seriously in the rough. quality are others.Incidentally, numerous non-golfers make Do stay for at least two days … and longer ifthe short boat trip across to Dent Island too. you can. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes.The attractive Chris Beckingham designed Is it value for money? Yes. Would we go again?clubhouse maximises the use of natural light and In a heartbeat!Need to know:Getting there:Hamilton Island provides easy access to theWhitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.Direct flights with either Virgin or Jetstar fromall major East Coast cities means that youcan be on the Island within a maximum ofthree flying hours depending on your placeof departure. From Brisbane it’s only one anda half hours. Virgin Australia now operate abusiness class section on flights from Sydneyand Brisbane to Hamilton Island.qualia has its own desk at Hamilton IslandAirport and you are cordially whisked off tothe resort within minutes of arrival. Baggageis taken care of and efficiently arrives in yourpavilion soon after you do.When to go:The best time to visit the Whitsundays is allyear round! Obviously during the big raceweek (to be held from 17-25 August in 2012)and school holidays is when Hamilton is reallybustling. From March to October is when theweather is drier.Where to stay:Hamilton Island has various accommodationoptions. The Yacht Club Villas are availablefor rent and are the ideal solution if you wishto travel to the island with children. Each havefour spacious bedrooms, a big entertainmentarea, deluxe kitchen and an outdoor terraceand garden.80