The Whitsunday Islands Yacht Charter Destination

March 24, 2012 - PRLog -- Smooth Sailing
The Whitsunday Islands
The Yachting World's Playground South of the Equator.
by Marie Look



You've done Cannes and Monte Carlo, and have some wild memories from Dubai and Phuket. There's South Beach, of course — but Miami was fun the first 10 times. How about a different kind of world-class yachting destination this year? How about the Whitsundays?

Less well-known than the French or Italian rivieras, but with just as much to offer, are Australia's Whitsunday islands, a collection of more than 70 breathtakingly beautiful oases (most uninhabited) located off the central coast of Queensland — and one of the most popular yachting destinations anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. With the Great Barrier Reef, the metropolis of Brisbane and some fantastically luxurious resorts all within reach, the area 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 kind of vacation (in a good way), reaching the islands is, thankfully, relatively uncomplicated. We recommend touching down via the carrier of your choice in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney. From any one of those cities, Jetstar connects directly to Hamilton Island, the commercial hub of the Whitsundays, and the airline's business class is really the only way to go. Well, not the only way to go, of course, but with an extra baggage allowance, dedicated and spacious cabins, 38 inches of legroom (plus a foldout footrest), unlimited access to a beverage bar, quality meal and snack choices, personal Video on Demand units, amenity kits (blanket, pillow, eye shades, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, cosmetics) and a whole lot more, the business class boarding pass removes all other options.

Hamilton Island, where the majority of visitors catch their first glimpses of the Whitsundays, is the most populated of the islands, although it's not quite two square miles and is home to only a few thousand residents. Each year, the island hosts Hamilton Island Race Week (currently the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week), a keelboat regatta established in 1983. Originally occurring in April, the event is now held every August, timed to take advantage of the area's prime weather season.

Close to 200 vessels have participated in recent years, drawing scores of participants and spectators alike. But as with events such as The Kentucky Derby and the F1 grand prix, the events of Hamilton Island Race Week are simultaneously all about the races, and yet not all about the races. For the social set, there's more going on off the water than on, including golf tournaments, swanky seafood dinners, fashion shows, cocktail parties and more, so do some careful packing. Mark your calendars for this year's events, taking place Aug. 17-25, 2012, and visit Hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au for everything you need to know.

Of course, regardless of whether you're in town for the races or your own special R&R, the No. 1 choice for accommodations is qualia (pronounced kwah-lee-ah), an utterly unique, world-class luxury resort. Situated at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef on the secluded northernmost point of Hamilton Island, the property provides guests with a quiet and peaceful retreat, where luxury and oneness with nature seem to blend seamlessly. Each of the 60 light-filled Leeward and Windward pavilions feature subtle timber, stone and glass accents in their interiors, and face the water, surrounded by tropical landscapes and uninterrupted nautical views.

Read More At: http://jetsetmag.com/categories/yacht/whitsunday-islands....

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