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

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