PLACES TO CELEBRATE
Love and bubbles are all around at this luxury lodge.
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WORDS LISA PERKOVIC
THE OCEAN STRETCHES OUT IN FRONT OF US...
the vibrant, leafy shores of Whitsunday Island visible in the distance. A glass of champagne in hand, my husband and I soak up a view so spectacular, it almost aches.
Special occasions are those that separate themselves from the others, and qualia separates itself from other accommodations in celebrating special.
Expansive views of the Coral Sea.
Not too long before this serene moment we were yawning unglamorously at Hamilton Island airport, groggy from an early flight. As we gathered our wits enough to tackle the baggage belt, a qualia host quietly appears, politely asking for our baggage receipt.
Happily swapping bag-watch for glimpses of ocean out the car window, we’re swept through large wooden gates and enter qualia’s first ‘heart’, the Long Pavilion. This is where guests review their itinerary, plan activities or simply settle in with a book and a view.
The view from the Long Pavilion, qualia.
Breakfast, pool, lunch and rinse is a starting point, and repeat is an attractive option. But to stay here misses the point; morning yoga, walking trails, a spa, golf, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing… it is possible to do as much, or as little, as you like.
Special occasions are those that separate themselves from the others, and qualia separates itself from other accommodations in celebrating special.
It can be big or little, romantic or familial, and can mean anything from surprise chocolate-dipped strawberries to elaborate private dinners on the beach – sand art included.
By the water's edge.
The captivating Windward Pavilion.
A sensory experience to inspire your palate.
An indulgent space to relax and unwind.
For us, it was romantic. We’re here to do a little of everything. We open the doors to our Windward Pavilion to be met with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Remember the breathtaking view I mentioned earlier? It’s the same one, and there’s nowhere inside where you can’t see it. To the right, I spot a freestanding bath up against the windows that’s calling my name, but then looking left, I’ve got eyes for something else.
Each Windward Pavilion has its own private plunge pool, with an infinity edge perched out over the cliffside. We sip bubbles from the day bed as the sun goes down, ordering dinner from the kitchen as stars appear overhead. Sunrise swims, fresh juice and breakfast bowls are balanced out with decadent macadamia-topped banana bread and more bubbles. We admire yachts sailing by from bed, and bird watch on the balcony. Tucked away from the world, with fine dining and champagne on demand, this is the stuff honeymoons are made of. At least in my books.
Sailing stunning waters is an option at qualia.
A swoon-worthy gesture made by nature, the almost-perfect heart stands out among millions of coral clusters in Hardy Reef.
Best seen from the air.
There are a few things that manage to tear me away from our little bubble. First is a sunset cruise setting out from the island’s iconic marina. Champagne and sunsets are a combination you can’t beat, and as we sail around the coast they’re paired with goat’s cheese tarts and charcuterie. Then there’s a six-course tasting menu at Pebble Beach, the resort’s beachfront fine dining restaurant. Dishes like island-foraged succulents, cucumber pearls and sushi rice, and sous vide then seared 6+ score wagyu filet are a masterclass in modern Australian fare. Matched wines elevate each dish and make this an evening to remember.
And then there’s the ‘Journey to the Heart’. Forget heart-shaped flower arrangements, qualia’s guests can take to the skies on a helicopter tour to the Great Barrier Reef’s very own Heart Reef. A swoon-worthy gesture made by nature, the almost-perfect heart stands out among millions of coral clusters in Hardy Reef.
The mighty Great Barrier Reef, with Heart Reef inset.
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The Great Barrier Reef - exclusive to you.
We swoop down for a closer look before landing a few hundred metres away on Heart Island pontoon. The tour and its private pontoon have the only permit in the area, so we’re alone as we cruise right up to the Heart on a glass bottom boat. A snorkel in the pristine, protected lagoon nearby, and a champagne toast. Now this is special.
Seafood is naturally a major part of the dining experience.
Privileged access.
Private dining on Pebble Beach.
SMALL IS SEXY, TOO
Australia’s petite lodges have an appeal all of their own. Two of the smallest of the Luxury Lodges of Australia take the notion of ‘barefoot’ honeymoon to a new league.
Pretty Beach House, with four private pavilions backing onto classic coastal eucalypt forests and sandstone cliffs, and Capella Lodge, nine suites tucked under the dual peaks of Mount Gower and Lidgbird on UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island (arguably the last paradise on earth). They are intimate, understated, discreetly staffed, sensual and deliciously at one with their environments.
The superlative Lidgbird Pavilion at Capella Lodge.
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