After a cyclone hit Australia’s Whitsundays Islands in 2017, the blow was one that could have wiped out a region for good. Two years on and the Whitsundays’ are back in action and better than ever.
This year has seen the reopening of two Whitsunday Islands, Daydream Island (April-19) and Hayman Island (July-19), following extensive refurbishments, while boho-chic boutique Elysian Resort on Long Island opened to guests in late 2018. Hamilton Island continues to upgrade their world-class facilities and experience. In a world-first, Hamilton Island guests can now experience unprecedented access to the iconic Heart Reef lagoon with the launch of ‘Heart Island’.
World-first ‘Heart Island’: the newest luxury experience on the Great Barrier Reef
In a world-first, guests to Hamilton Island can now get unprecedented access to the iconic Heart Reef lagoon with the launch of ‘Heart Island’: a state-of-the-art split-level pontoon only accessible via helicopter.
After a decade of development and an investment of over $2 million dollars, this is the first-time visitors will be able to see the intricacies of the iconic coral formation up close, with only scenic flights previously being offered to the area. Exclusive to guests of Hamilton Island and designed to look as if it was built for James Bond himself, Heart Island is only accessible via helicopter. Developed by Hamilton Island Air, the state-of-the-art split-level pontoon caters for only six guests at a time.
Nestled off the coast of Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach, floating alongside one of the most famous reef in the Whitsundays, the newly opened ‘Heart Island’ offers guests an unforgettable experience starting with a 30-minute helicopter flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef. Once you have landed on the private ‘Heart Island’ pontoon helipad, you have 90 minutes to explore the lagoon, or simply relax and enjoy the sea breeze. This exclusive tour is available to just six guests per visit and includes a once in a lifetime boat ride around the famous Heart Reef.
The heart-shaped coral of Heart Reef is one of the most famous sights of the Great Barrier Reef with thousands travelling from all over the world to experience the distinctive reef, which was discovered almost 45 years ago. The formation is 17 metres in diameter, and until now had only really been enjoyed from the sky.
