Whether high-octane thrills are your idea of fun or you seek something more sedate in idyllic surrounds, our Globetrotter discovers a selection of travel gems to suit all energy levels
Flying over some of the 3,000 reefs that constitute the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s Queensland coast, is one of life’s great moments. The colours are incredible and it is all so deserted. Under UNESCO protection, the few large pontoons that cater to tourists have to maintain onboard security year round, 24 hours a day. We buzzed around in the Robinson R44 helicopter for a couple of hours, then arrived back at the waterside landing pad at the base of Qualia Resort, on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.
It is probably relevant at this stage to point out that the whole of Hamilton Island, which spans two square miles, belongs to the Rosemount wine legend Bob Oatley and his family. Eighty per cent of the island, which rises to 245m above sea level, is preserved natural forest, and there are some seriously challenging hiking trails for the adventurous. The rest of the island consists of a town, budget hotels, condo apartments, private residences, the airport and Qualia.
There is a yacht club, which the Oatleys are expanding to a total of 250 berths. They are also investing heavily in a peak-top, 18-hole, Peter Thompson golf course on the spectacular ridgeback of nearby Dent Island. Bob Oatley, his wife Sandy and kids Ian and Ros, have embarked on a three-point plan (golf course, yacht club and resort) to make Hamilton Island an überluxury destination. Qualia is therefore instrumental to the Oatley game plan, and the General Manager, charismatic New Yorker Jason Friedman who came from Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand, is determined to make it the best resort in the world.
There are 60 detached villas, with Thai-style minimalist interiors that give stunning views down to the ocean. My favourite is the 120sqm Windward Pavilion, which comes with its own pool. Qualia is allinclusive, and here this means not only the food and alcohol are included, but motorised water sports, helicopters, golf and even yoga lessons in the calm and serene spa, are all part of the package.
If you are looking for some high adventure this year, put Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge on your itinerary. It is right outside the gates of the Lost City of the Incas, which means you can explore many of the ruins by yourself before the hordes of day trippers arrive by bus. Machu Picchu rises 2,430m above sea level and the early morning vistas are breathtaking. After a day of tough hiking, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge offers a safe haven with 32 splendid rooms (I especially like number 40, an end-Garden Terrace room). And do not miss the orchid garden.
If mountain thrills are your thing I would recommend checking out the young-at-heart Fresh Traxxx lodges in Chamonix. This year is also a great time to visit Whistler Blackcomb, in the run-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics. There are more than 200 trails, and you can go heliskiing over 20,000 acres of backcountry terrain or dog sledding with Alaskan huskies. Four Seasons Resort Whistler is the perfect base camp, not only for its dedicated ski-in, ski-out concierge but also because, when the adventures are done, you can relax in the outdoor hot tubs surrounded by snow while fur-clad lovelies offer what has been described as the world’s best hot chocolate.
Whistler also offers great summer adventures such as white-water rafting, canoeing down the River of Golden Dream, fly fishing on the Squamish-Elaho river, biking, horse riding, hiking and golf. For a real heart-pounding thrill try the terrifying 50m bungee drop.
Finally, since I am writing this from Australia, I must mention Sydney’s Bridge Climb. Carefully roped on in groups, you ascend 135m to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which, according to the Guinness World Records, is the widest long-span bridge in the world. Needless to say the views are worth the three-and-a-half-hour hike to the top. Once back on level ground head to the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, just a couple of hundred metres away. At the hotel’s 36th-floor Altitude Restaurant you can look down on the bridge and reminisce about the day’s adventure. You’ll also get to enjoy sommelier Rodney Setter’s expert wine selections and the restaurant’s 240-degree view of Sydney with the famed Opera House just below. Happy adventure travels!
hamiltonisland.com.au
qualia.com.au
orientexpress.com
freshtraxxx.com
fourseasons.com/whistler
whistlerbungee.com
mywhistler.com
bridgeclimb.com
shangri-la.com/sydney
36levelsabove.com.au
MARY GOSTELOW is editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, the online magazine of kiwicollection.com