Clean Sailing
The Whitsunday Islands
The Yachting World’s Playground South of the Equator.
by Marie Look

You have achieved Cannes and Monte Carlo, and have some wild recollections from Dubai and Phuket. There’s South Seaside, after all – however Miami was enjoyable the primary 10 times. How a couple of completely different form of world-class yachting destination this year? How concerning the Whitsundays?

Much less well-identified than the French or Italian rivieras, however with just as a lot to supply, are Australia’s Whitsunday islands, a set of greater than 70 breathtakingly stunning oases (most uninhabited)situated off the central coast of Queensland – and one of the most in style yachting destinations anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. With the Great Barrier Reef, the metropolis of Brisbane and a few fantastically luxurious resorts all within reach, the realm is a nautical playground for the world’s elite.

Although visitors to the Whitsundays will imagine they’ve embarked on a to-the-ends-of-the-earth sort of trip (in a great way), reaching the islands is, thankfully, relatively uncomplicated. We advocate touching down by way of the provider of your alternative in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney. From any a kind of cities, Jetstar connects on to Hamilton Island, the commercial hub of the Whitsundays, and the airline’s enterprise class is de facto the one solution to go. Nicely, not the one technique to go, in fact, however with an extra baggage allowance, dedicated and spacious cabins, 38 inches of legroom (plus a foldout footrest), limitless entry to a beverage bar, high quality meal and snack selections, private Video on Demand items, amenity kits (blanket, pillow, eye shades, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, cosmetics) and a complete lot more, the enterprise class boarding move removes all other options.

Hamilton Island, the place the majority of visitors catch their first glimpses of the Whitsundays, is the most populated of the islands, although it isn’t quite two sq. miles and is house to just a few thousand residents. Each year, the island hosts Hamilton Island Race Week (at present the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week), a keelboat regatta established in 1983. Initially occurring in April, the event is now held each August, timed to take advantage of the world’s prime climate season.

Near 200 vessels have participated lately, drawing scores of individuals and spectators alike. But as with occasions corresponding to The Kentucky Derby and the F1 grand prix, the occasions of Hamilton Island Race Week are concurrently all concerning the races, and but not all in regards to the races. For the social set, there’s extra going on off the water than on, together with golf tournaments, swanky seafood dinners, style shows, cocktail events and more, so do some careful packing. Mark your calendars for this yr’s occasions, happening Aug. 17-25, 2012, and visit Hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au for all the things it’s good to know.

After all, no matter whether or not you are in town for the races or your own particular R&R, the No. 1 alternative for accommodations is qualia (pronounced kwah-lee-ah), an completely unique, world-class luxury resort. Located at the fringe of the Nice Barrier Reef on the secluded northernmost level of Hamilton Island, the property supplies friends with a quiet and peaceable retreat, the place luxurious and oneness with nature seem to blend seamlessly. Every of the 60 gentle-crammed Leeward and Windward pavilions characteristic refined timber, stone and glass accents of their interiors, and face the water, surrounded by tropical landscapes and uninterrupted nautical views.