Hayman Island, Australia + Add a trip
- Not far from: Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, Charters Towers, Yeppoon, Ingham, Ayr, Moranbah
on Great Barrier Reef
City Life: Snorkelling, sailing and sun worshipping
Whether you want to make like Robinson Crusoe or long for a luxe beach break, the islands of North Queensland offer spectacular stretches of sand, adventure both above and below the ocean's surface, and plenty of onshore attractions to pass the time.
With azure waters, powder-white sandy bays and mesmerising snorkelling and diving, the sun-kissed tropical islands of the Great Barrier Reef are the kind of escape you dream about, but wake up here and they're blissfully real. Stretching 2,300 kilometres up the length of Queensland, the reef can be seen from space, but you don't have to work for NASA to suss why its unique geography has been declared a World Heritage Area. With more than 90 islands, you're sure to find your own pocket of paradise, with a boho mix of backpackers and millionaires for company, or many uninhabited coral cays if you want 'quality time' solo. Even if donning a scuba suit isn't your bag, you'll encounter awesome nature, exciting aquatic activities and some mouth-watering restaurants and luxe bars for après-sun lounging.
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Getting There
Automobiles
The usual car hire firms can be found at Queensland's airports, including Hertz (www.hertz.com.au) at Cairns, but chances are if you're island-hopping you won't need wheels, you'll want wings or sails. Cars can be left in secure parking at main ferry hubs.
Planes
Regular flights from all major Australian cities go to both Cairns Airport (www.cairnsairport.com) and Hamilton Island, which is the stepping-off point for many of the Whitsunday Islands. From Cairns there are charter flights to Lizard Island and Dunk Island (for Bedarra) with Hinterland Aviation (www.hinterlandaviation.com.au). Sunlover Helicopters (www.sunloverheli.com.au) offers transfers from Cairns to most resort islands.
Trains
The high-speed Tilt Train and the Sunlander run between Brisbane and Cairns, hugging the scenic coast, but you're looking at around 25 hours in the saddle. Book via Queensland Rail (www.traveltrain.com.au).
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Local Knowledge
Dialing
Country code: 61; Queensland: 07 (drop the zero if dialling from outside Australia).
Reads
Castaway by British adventurer Lucy Irvine, which inspired the Tom Hanks film of the same name, tells of her self-imposed exile on Tuin Island in Queensland's Torres Strait, and captures the tropical life to a tee. David Colfelt's 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef - the Whitsunday Islands, is considered 'the bible' for this popular sailing area, with maps, anchorages and beach details.
Do go / Don't Go
With average temperatures of 27°C, it's warm year-round. Reef visibility is better in winter when the seas are calmer, and days are clear and sunny, but the water temperature is cooler than in summer. The hotter but rainier part of the year spans November to December and April to May, peaking in 'the wet' from January to March, when storms can threaten.
Cuisine
Lipsmacking fish and seafood-snacking opportunities abound, freshly hauled from the reef's waters. Coral trout is a menu staple, as is saltwater barramundi. Shellfish is a highlight, including the tricky-but-worth-it mud crabs, and barbecued Moreton Bay bugs - an ancient flat-headed lobster creature found only in Queensland. Expect exotic tropical fruit too.
Taxis
Outside the larger towns, you've more chance of hitching a ride on a dolphin than finding a cab, especially on the islands themselves where transport is often restricted to buggies or hotel transfers. In Cairns, book ahead with Black & White Taxis (131 008).
Tipping
It's not really expected in most parts of Australia, although if you're impressed with how your evening transpires, a 10 per cent gratuity will be most appreciated.
Currency
Australian dollars (AU$).
Packing
A capsule wardrobe to take you from boat deck to beach to below the waves in style.
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Worth Doing
Arts
Many of the reef's islands are of totemic significance in local Aboriginal mythology. Lizard Island, for example, is believed to represent the body of a stingray while the neighbouring islets make up the tail, and has been a place of pilgrimage for the Dingaal Warra people for millennia.
And...
Tropical cyclones and poisonous jellyfish can be unwelcome guests between December and April.
Shopping
Retail round these parts is mostly of the upscale beach-kit variety. Lizard Island's bijou resort boutique sells stylish sun hats by Sydney designer Helen Kaminski, sarongs by Firefly, swimwear by 2 Chillies and semiprecious jewellery by Riley Burnett. At Hamilton Island's marina, stores include Driza-Bone for all-weather Aussie outerwear, swish sailing-wear labels Slam and Henri Lloyd, as well as flowers and gifts at Floral Collections.
Viewpoint
On northernmost reef resort Lizard Island, take a dawn bushwalk up to Cook's Look, the highest point (368m), where Captain Cook once surveyed the area. It's a three- to four-hour return hike. On Hamilton Island, One Tree Hill is a good spot for sunset cocktails.
Something
nothing There's a fistful of free stuff to enjoy in Cairns: tour the tropical Flecker Botanic Gardens north-west of the centre, then cool off in the saltwater swimming lagoon at the Cairns Foreshore Promenade. Kids can horse around at Muddy's Playground, where slides and swings compete with climbing nets and water play zones.
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Diary
June The Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup (www.hamiltoncup.com) is Australia's oldest outrigger canoe event. July-September Keep your eyes peeled during the humpback whale migration past the islands. August Hamilton Island Race Week (www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au) brings offshore racing buzz as well as off-water wining and dining. October-March Look out for green and loggerhead turtles as they visit the waters around Wilson and Heron Islands.