Visit idyllic Hamilton Island without getting on a plane: Virtual reality headset helps travellers check out their holiday destination BEFORE departure

By Erin Van Der Meer for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:45 EST, 2 July 2015 | Updated: 07:40 EST, 2 July 2015

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Many travellers dream of visiting idyllic Australian holiday destination Hamilton Island.

Now holidaymakers can get a real taste of the Whitsundays paradise without setting a foot on the sand thanks to next-generation virtual reality vision of the island and the Great Barrier Reef.

Qantas, Hamilton Island and Samsung have partnered to create a unique and exciting virtual reality experience that reveals a 360-degree view of the island from the air, land and even underwater.

The next best thing to being there: New virtual reality technology allows holiday makers to experience Hamilton Island in Australia's stunning Whitsundays Islands

Virtual reality takes you to Hamilton Island

Thanks to remarkable three-dimensional vision created to be watched online or via a special virtual reality headset, viewers can see the beauty and facilities of the destination in a far superior way to merely looking at still images or standard video.

The footage is available to watch on YouTube, but the full experience comes via the virtual reality headset which will be available in QANTAS first class and at selected travel agents imminently.

An app is also due to be released this week.

Futuristic: Viewed through a virtual reality headset (or alternatively a YouTube video), the 3D, 360-degree footage displays all-encompassing views of the idyllic paradise from air, land and even underwater

The virtual tour begins by arriving at Hamilton Island airport, just the way visitors to the island experience it

Take in the view of the Whitsundays from the air, a privilege usually reserved for visitors

'According to Tourism Australia, Australia is the highest-rated destination for “world-class beauty and natural environments”, and the Great Barrier Reef is among the top three most appealing attractions,' said Glenn Bourke, Hamilton Island’s Chief Executive Officer.

'As a result, we’re excited a wider audience can now experience the beauty and wonder of the Reef and Hamilton Island.'

Mail Online got a first look at the capabilities of the virtual reality headset when it was unveiled to select media in Sydney recently.

Inside look: It also reveals a detailed view of the exclusive Qualia resorts luxurious villas, which feature an infinity pool, stunning views across the island and cost over $1000 per night

Meet the wildlife: The experience even takes viewers under the water to share the same view enjoyed by scuba divers on the Great Barrier Reef

Under the sea: Experience what it's like to snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef

The journey begins looking out the window of a plane touching down on the island, allowing you to take in the stunning azure waters of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, the exact same view as visitors arriving on the island.

The virtual tour also takes you inside luxury resort Qualia's exclusive villas, which feature an infinity pool, stunning views across the island and cost over $1000 per night.

A helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef, exploring underneath it via scuba diving footage, a spectacular sunset, a dip in the resort's world-class pool and even a peek at the golf course are all included in the experience.