Oceania Travel - Australia - The Pacific Coast

Although Australia was settled by Europeans just over 200 years ago, it has evolved into an exciting cosmopolitan nation composed of people from every corner of the globe. The largest of all the Pacific islands, it sits on the edge of the South Pacific rim, its eastern shores fringed by long stretches of white sandy beaches, washed by pounding surf. Originally called the great south land, this vast southern continent has everything a holiday maker could wish for.

This Web site gives just a glimpse of the excellent and spectacular tourist facilities and locations on the north-eastern seaboard of this vast continent, Australia! Let us hope that you enjoy some of the enchanting and beautiful images of what Australia has to offer to make your visit an enjoyable and memorable one!

As a travel destination, Australia deserves its own Web site or "guide book" in order to do justice to its many exciting and varied attractions. On this Web site, I would like to simply focus on the Pacific coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Most international visitors enter Australia through Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, as well as Australia's biggest city. Built around one of the greatest harbours of the world, Sydney proudly hosted the Olympic Games in the year 2000.

A drive north along the coast toward the Queensland border takes visitors past major tourist centres, hundreds of magnificent beaches and national parks with old growth forests. The coastal region of Queensland, called the Sunshine State, is divided into: the Far North Coast, the North Coast, the Central Coast and the South East Coast. Each is district with its own special offshore island retreats, holiday resorts and leisure activities.

Queensland's capital and tourist gateway is Brisbane, the nation's third largest city. Further north in the tropical Far North is Cairns. Queensland's second tourist gateway where tours operate daily to the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville is the biggest town in the North Coast region, while Rockampton is the biggest city on the Queensland Central coast. However it is the South East Coast which is the best known for it takes in the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast which extends to Tweed Heads on the border of New South Wales.

Australia was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770 and the British government turned the east coast into a penal colony under Governor Phillip in 1788. The first settlement was in Sydney, New south Wales with other penal settlements in Norfolk Island in the north and Tasmania in the south.

Before European settlement, Queensland was home to both mainland aboriginals and the people of the Torres Strait islands. In the late 1800s gold discoveries br9ought fortune hunters from all over the world. Many stayed to become pioneer settlers and Australia has continued to this day to welcome immigrants, making it a well integrated multicultural society.

The Great Barrier Reef stretching down the far north Queensland coast is the eighth natural wonder of the world. Australia also boasts many world-class wilderness areas such as the Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Tropical Forest, Hinchinbrook Island, the world's largest island national park, and Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island.

South of Cairns, perched high above the Coral Sea, is the village of Kuranda, which has the world's largest butterfly farm. Many nature parks along the coast have koalas, kangaroos, and a variety of native birdlife which can be seen at close range. Whale-watching is popular in northern New South Wales and Queensland.

On Queensland's South East Coast there are major theme parks, a casino and further north there are mountain retreats and wilderness lodges. New South Wales has numerous national parks and waterways. See the individual regions for more detail.

There are three national public holidays, Australia Day January 26, Anzac Day April 25, and the Queen's Birthday June 8. Apart from these each area has its own regional events. Expect to see the unexpected such as lizard races and cane toad races, broom throwing and mullet throwing, also boomerang throwing competitors.

There is a huge variety of entertainment right along the Queensland and New South Wales coastline. Enjoy the smorgasbord of beautiful natural foods from seafood delicacies to fresh tropical fruits and vegetables and don't forget to treat yourself to a meal of Moreton Bay Bugs, a seafood delicacy which resembles the lobster. Barbecues are part of the casual outdoor Australian way of life.

Queensland's 7,400km of beautiful coastline has world class fishing and boating and certain regions are renowned for big game fishing. Along New South Wales's 1,900km coastline there are excellent sailing conditions for all types of deep water craft and plenty of bays and rivers offering a range of boating activities. Both Queensland and New South Wales offer surfing, sailing, scuba diving, white-water rafting and snorkelling. Land-based activities vary from bungy jumping to parasailing.


CLIMATE		New South Wales coast is temperate with cooler winters. The further north you get, the higher the average temperatures. Far North Queensland is tropical.
CLOTHING		Light casual clothing year round in the far north, warm jackets required during winter nights further south.
TIME ZONE		10 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight saving in the summer months.
CURRENCY		Australian dollars. Money can be exchanged at most banks. Credit cards widely accepted.
VISAS & HEALTH		Visitors need a visa to enter Australia. This can be either a tourist visa, or working visa for students. Departure tax Australian $27 is included in air ticket for each person twelve years and over. Transit passengers (up to 48 hours) are exempt.
GETTING THERE		Most major airlines service Australia. Australia's national airline is Qantas which flies to 67 destinations. Domestic airlines fly to all regions of New South Wales and Queensland.
ELECTRICITY		240 volts, 50 cycles.
TIPPING		A matter of choice.

The Great Barrier Reef has long been the mecca for serious dive travellers and Cairns has become the gateway to the more spectacular northern region. An enormous array of shore based and live-aboard dive operations exist to cater for the hordes of tourists who come to see one of the eight natural wonders of the world.

Lizard Island is an exclusive resort on one of the very few real islands on the reef. In close proximity to the ribbon reefs make it a popular destination for those who want barrier reef diving without living on a boat.

The Yongala wreck is viewed as the best wreck dive in Australia. Laying between the reef and the mainland it has become a huge artificial reef. Protected by law, it is still full of artefacts and absolutely swarming with marine life.

A triangular wedge of reef called the Capricornia Section is a special area off Gladstone put aside as a marine reserve. Heron Island is its most famous destination where divers can mingle with tame schools of fish, hand feed a giant Moray Eel or meet the many Green Loggerhead turtles that make the island their nesting place. Lady Elliot Island sits in the southern most point of the triangle and features similar untouched marine life including mantas.

The tropical Far North stretches from Cape York in the North to Mission Beach in the South and is famous with visitors for its lush unspoilt rainforests, exotic marine creatures, tropical islands and coral cays.

Port Douglas is the closest point of departure to the Great Barrier Reef and a gateway to the rainforests, while Mission Beach, a 14 kilometre sweep of pristine beach taking in Garners Beach, Bingil Bay, Narragon Beach, Clump Point and Wongaling Beach, gets its name from an Aboriginal mission which was established in 1912.

Mossman, north of Port Douglas along the Cook Highway is a small sugar town on the edge of the Daintree National Park. there are well marked walking tracks through the rainforest and cool river pools for swimming. The Mossman Gorge is at the south end of the park and home to tree kangaroos which are unique to the area, also birdwing butterflies, the giant atlas moth and some 35,000 species of orchids.

Port Douglas is 45 minutes along the Cook Highway from Cairns and was originally a port for gold-mining operation in the region. Today it is a peaceful tropical town with a wide tree-lined main street. Recent resort development means it now offers a wonderful selection of the restaurants and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Four Mile Beach, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park.

Marlin Coast is a 26km stretch of shaded beaches and tiny coves and lies north of Cairns, a few minutes from the international airport. The palm studded sho9reline includes Machans and Holloway Beaches. Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra, Clifton Beach and Palm Cove.

Palm Cove lies twenty minutes from Cairns and 35 minutes from Port Douglas and is the only beach that offers luxury international style resort accommodate and a wealth of water sport activities including trips to the reef and fishing expeditions. Palm cove Village has more than 15 restaurants within walking distance of your accommodation and around 30 day tours available.

Cairns is the capital of the tropical north and was founded during a gold rush boom last century. The city has grown to become one of Australia's most attractive holiday destinations, blending old colonial architecture with practical, tropical living.

Situated on the shores of Trinity Bay with the backdrop of the forest clad Whitfield Range behind, Cairns depends on t9ourism, mining, fishing and agriculture. Today the traditional pubs rub shoulders with cosmopolitan eateries, outdoor cafes, a range of shops from outdoor markets to exclusive boutiques and local craft stores.

The area gets its name from the large flightless rainforest birds called cassowaries. Visitors to this region come to enj9oy the grandeur of the rainforest hinterland, the lakes and waterfalls. Here they can white-water raft, hike in the jungle covered hills and the national parks, and enjoy the clean sandy beaches.

Far North Queensland also has a number of beautiful resort islands which lie within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. these are Dunk, Orpheus, Lizard, Hinchinbrook and Bedarra, each with its own special character, swaying palms, calm blue waters and panoramic views.

Lizard Island is the most northerly island resort in Australia and was declared a national park in 1939. Covered in grassland, heath, eucalypt woodland and dune vegetation, it is home to forty species of birds and an abundance of marine life. Apart from a secluded deluxe tourist resort, there is a camp site and an Australian Museum research station, so life is very lid back with snorkelling and diving the most popular activities.

Orpheus Island is one of the Palm Islands group lying 120kms south of Cairns and is a national park. Fringed by coral reefs, it has a wealth of tropical marine life inhabiting its waters. It is privately owned, so the numbers of people who can holiday there at one time are limited. Children under 15 are not catered for.

Dunk Island is a tiny picture book island about 4km from Mission Beach. It has dazzling white sandy beaches and a luxury resort, popular with honeymooners, which has been designed to blend into its surroundings.

Bedarra Island nearby has two of the most exclusive resort in Australia. Access is by water taxi from Dunk Island. Here visitors have the chance to indulge themselves in luxury for there are superbly appointed private villas set in lush tropical grounds and beautiful haute cuisine to tempt the palate. Children under 15 are not catered for.

Hinchinbrook Island is one of the largest national parks in the world and offers visitors a chance to stay in comfortable wooden cabins designed especially to blend in with the landscape. You get there from Cardwell and accommodation is strictly limited because of park restrictions on numbers of visitors on the island at the one time.

Specifically designed to avoid overcrowding, the Bloomfield paradise accommodates a maximum of 34 guests. The lodge is surrounded by lush rainforest with the cabins spread out over the hillside, and every verandah has breathtaking views of the Coral Sea. Even though shrouded in wilderness and luxuriant gardens, guests don't have to compromise on comfort as the cabins and cottages are all lavishly furnished and well equipped.

Bungalows are constructed from natural timbers and vary slightly - some having spa baths or four poster beds, with timber or terracotta floors, and all feature a spacious deck, en suite, hairdryer, louvred windows, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, cane furniture, small kitchen with tea and coffee making facilities and bar fridge.

Meals are relaxed at a centrally located open-air restaurant which surrounds the large freshwater pool. The adjacent 'honour' bar is the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours at dusk, before dining on delicacies created from fresh succulent local produce.

Although the emphasis at Bloomfield is indulging in relaxation, there is also an abundance of activities. Within the resort is a TV/video room, multi-gym, exercise bike, weights, and a games area with a pool table, table tennis and dartboard. Guests can enjoy exploring rainforest walks to secluded beaches where it is not unusual to see Aboriginals spearing fish in the surf, and the local rivers and estuaries provide excellent fishing. The resort boat often operates day trips to Hope Island for snorkelling, swimming, fishing and a beach picnic.

There are escorted day trips to nearby spectacular waterfalls, aboriginal rock art locations, and 4-wheel drive trips to Cape York, cruises up the Bloomfield River, and even diving charters to the Great Barrier Reef.

Port Douglas in the heart of the of Far North Queensland's tropical paradise, entices tourists from all corners of the globe to delight in its shops, cafes, gourmet restaurants and palm fringed beaches. More importantly, it is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the numerous attractions of one of the world's great wonderlands.

Rydges Club Tropical is a unique resort offering the finest in accommodation right in the centre of Port Douglas. Its 51 suites range from spacious studios sleeping up to three adults, to one, two and three bedroom suits which sleep between four and six people. Large air-conditioned rooms have seven individual decor themes - Balinese, Indian, African, Japanese, Tropical Reef and Opal. Features include complimentary in-house movies, CD player and VCR, mini bar and ceiling fans. All suites have their own kitchenettes as well as private balconies.

Relaxation comes easily at Club Tropical as you lie by the rock sculptured pool, soak in the spa or indulge in an aroma therapy massage, all set in the lush tropical gardens. For a change of scenery, the vast white sand beach is just minutes away. Even the on-site dining is tropical and relaxed, with succulent local cuisine on offer at The Wharf St. Cafe/Bar.

In this picturesque cosmopolitan village, you can soak u the atmosphere with its idyllic palm fringed beach and colourful cafes, bars and boutiques. The Reef Retreat's tour desk can arrange tours to the many attractions and adventures of the surrounding area: the outer Barrier Reef, lush tropical rainforests, white water rafting and horse-riding. Or you can swim in the reef protected Coral Sea or play a round of golf at the spectacular championship golf courses.

The 30 boutique studios, suites and villas including six new honeymoon suites with spa baths, feature an open tropical design created by an award winning architect to blend unobtrusively into the unique rainforest setting. All accommodation includes bedroom, bathroom, living area, kitchenette and spacious private balconies with expansive views of the ocean or pool. Interiors feature vibrant colours inspired by the sea and sky.

Relax in the heated spa pool and swimming pool surrounded by giant melaleuca trees or indulge in a barbecue under the stars. Luxury and the enchantment of the tropics combined with Queensland hospitality can all be yours at very affordable prices.

A delightful starting point from which to explore the many attractions of Cairns and the surrounding region is the luxurious Cairns Village Resort, located just seven kilometres from the city centre, and managed by All Season Hotels, one of Australia's largest hotel operators.

Featuring low rise buildings in Australian Colonial style, this spacious resort offers 195 rooms, including single, double and family accommodation with individual air-conditioning, en suite, queen-size beds, colour TV, ceiling fan, optional mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, direct dial phone, in-room safe, complimentary in-house movies, and room service breakfast.

Shrouded in five acres of lush tropical gardens, the resort also features an impressive array of relaxation and leisure facilities, including the Terrace Garden Restaurant offering local delicacies, barbecue areas, poolside bar and cafe, a large lagoon pool and spa, tennis courts, a games room, in-house gymnasium and an excellent golf course is a short stroll from the doorstep.

For your sightseeing and transportation needs there is a tour desk and a regular courtesy shuttle to and from the city centre and airport, complimentary parking and car hire can also be arranged. Other facilities and services include laundry and dry-cleaning with same-day service, babysitting, disabled facilities, 24 hour medical service, car wash facilities, gift shop and secretarial services. For any additional requests, the reception is open 24 hours.

Townsville is Queensland's second largest city. It has more palm trees than high-rise buildings in the main street and enjoys summer all year round. One of several gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the offshore reefs and islands, Townsville and its surrounding district offers visitors the chance to explore the historic towns of Bowen and Charters Towers, as well as the heritage town of Ravenswood (1869. Local architecture features houses on stilts to suit the climate and at the Townsville Environmental park during the wet, you can see brolgas, jabirus and other wetland birds. All year round there are forest songbirds, wallabies, echidnas and goannas.

Magnetic Island is one of the largest islands on the Great Barrier Reef, a 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville. It has 16 picturesque beaches, 12 of which are secluded and only reached by bush track or by sea. There is a permanent population of over 1,000 though more than half the island is national park and home to koalas, wallabies, parrots and cockatoos. Waling tracks wind through forests of eucalypts and wattles to settlements such as Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay.

Mackay is a booming centre for sugar and mining. Its history is tied up with the thousands of indentured labourers who were brought to the large sugar plantations in the 1880s. Today the Scandinavians, Italians, Spanish, Maltese, Greek and Melanesian peoples who came to seek work have lent the town a diversity of language and culture. Mackay is also a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

Brampton Island is one a clutch of islands in the Cumberland Group, or Whitsundays, some 32km north east of Mackay. Like its neighbour Carlisle Island, it was formed through volcanic activity and as a result it is dominated by wooded peaks, much of which is national park.

A resort island, it is large enough to make exploring an adventure, but small enough to still feel intimate. You can circumnavigate it in a few hours, enjoy its seven unspoilt beaches and wander over to Carlisle Island at low tide, or go on an underwater adventure trail with snorkelling equipment.

South Mole Island is located in the heart of the Whitsundays, close to the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded by fringing coral reefs. The resort, right on the beach, has magnificent views and offers plenty of water based activities.

Hayman Island is a horseshoe shaped island which looks out to the majestic peaks of Hook Island, the highest mountains of the Whitsundays. The sheltered waters between the two islands are in effect one large lagoon providing the best coral growth to be found on any near shore islands. Hayman is home to a luxury resort.

Hamilton Island has a sophisticated resort with jet airport facilities. It is located at Catseye and there's great swimming and snorkelling on the nearby beach. A major yacht centre, fishing enthusiasts can hire a dinghy or go game fishing from one of the luxury vessels and there are sailboards, outrigger canoes, catamarans, jet skis, water skis, and reef viewing through glass-bottom boats. Eighty per cent of the island is still in a natural state, so there are also secluded beaches, tropical bush trails, lookouts and hideaways.

Daydream Island is two and a half nautical miles north east from Shute Harbour and has a recently redeveloped family resort at the northern end plus a marina. It features secluded beaches, beautifully landscaped gardens and rare coral species in the surrounding reefs. You can bushwalk through the rainforest and see native wildlife, including sea eagles, or hire a dinghy and picnic on a neighbouring uninhabited island.

Long Island is a national park with more than 20km of bushwalking trails. You are free to enjoy the natural lush tropical vine forests which cover the island, as well as the spectacular coloured tropical birds, native flora and fauna. Club Crocodile Long Island offers a range of water activities and has tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurants and a gymnasium. Paradise Bay Resort and Palm Bay Hideaway are secluded retreats for those who want to get away from it all.

Lindeman Island lies between Shute Harbour to the north and Mackay to the south and all but 70 hectares of the 670 hectare island is national park with several graded bush tracks through the forest and valley swarming with brightly coloured butterflies. It is home to Australia's first Club Med resort which nestles in a bay on the south west end.

Hamilton Island Marina, which offers access to the island's many restaurants, shopping boutiques, sports centres, watersports and five star resort facilities, is home to Bahama II one of Castaway Cruises vessels.

Designed to please her owners and guests with luxurious fittings, personal space and style, MV Bahama II is a 60ft cruiser of fibreglass construction complete with the latest navigation aids, and a rich wood interior throughout.

The luxury Bahama II is available for three, five and seven day cruises through the magical miles of the Whitsundays Grteat Barrier Reef with access to snorkelling, scuba diving, watersports, swimming, coral viewing, fishing and island hopping. You will observe nature at her best as you glide over fringing reefs, experience deserted islands, tropical resorts, and view magical sunsets while sipping champagne cocktails.

Membership of the Castaway Club is included in your cruise fees and a regular newsletter informs members of special excursions planned for coming months. One recent such event was a three month adventure cruise to Papua New Guinea Louisade Archipelago and the Solomon Islands, with members joining the cruise at many different ports of call.

Toscana Village Resort is the newest and most luxurious accommodation in Airlie Beach, ideally situated right in the heart of the tourst strip. Each luxury villa apartment has unsurpassed 180 degree views north over the turquoise waters of the Whitsunday passage to Hayman Island and beyond.

The elegantly appointed two and three bedroom apartments can accommodate up to eight persons. With comfort a main consideration, the villas are air-conditioned throughout and offer two bathrooms, separate lounge/dining, fully equipped spacious kitchen, laundry and lockup garage.

The three bedroom villas have to queen-size bedrooms plus a twin room and a sofa bed, while others have one queen size bedroom, a twin room and a sofa bed. Private balconies offer ample room for entertaining while taking in the exquisite view. In addition, there are some two bedroom villas with private rooftop terraces and hot tubs, and a very spacious three bedroom penthouse with spa bath. All accommodation has direct dial ISD and STD phone facilities, as well as local network and satellite TV.

Toscana Village is ideally situated with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and beach, all within a leisurely five minute stroll. The resort features four swimming pools, including turbo and kiddies pool with waterfall feature, barbecue area, tours and bookings at reception and a poolside alfresco restaurant.

Lindeman Island lies seventeen kilometres off the sun-drenched Queensland coast on the threshold of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and is home to one of the world's newest, and Australia's first, Club Med resort.

And as if it isn't enough to be within easy reach of the Reef - the eighth wonder of the world - from the island's highest point, Mt. Oldfield, you are treated to a spectacular view of the neighbouring Whitsunday Islands. Divine coral sand beaches and national parklands with eucalypt and rainforests replete with native bird life, make Club Med Lindeman a truly unique resort.

The main village, set on the shores of a picturesque bay contains an open-plan restaurant, adjoining theatre, bar reception area and boutique. The accommodation comprises air-conditioned furnished rooms, each with balcony or patio that are part of three-storey bungalow style complexes enfolded by palms and ferns. A separate corner of the village houses the night club, conference centre and Annex Restaurant.

Club Med's famed international cuisine offers a feast of options. Superb gourmet breakfast start your day, followed by delectable lunch buffets highlighted by fresh local seafood, colourful salads, lean meats and an abundance of fruit and juices. At the even larger banquet dinners there is the choice of dining in the main restaurant at shared tables, or the more intimate atmosphere of the Annex Restaurant. Everything is prepaid so even the freely available table wines are at no additional cost.

And you won't have to worry about the kids, because the Mini Club and Kid's Club have specially trained staff to entertain and care for your children while you get on with the serious business of having fun. A new addition in 1995 was the Petit Club for 1 to 4 year olds.

An incredible range of daytime activities can satisfy any mood. With six secluded beaches to explore you can be totally alone in your own island paradise. Feel like trying your hand in water sports such as sailing snorkelling and windsurfing; or tennis, or golf at the splendid 9-hole course? You'll find your international Club Med instructors available with a helpful hand and friendly smile.

Since the holiday is all-inclusive, you decide how much of Club Med Lindeman you want to experience. Relax by yourself, meet new friends from around the world, begin a romance or share an unforgettable honeymoon. The only thing you'll have to consider ... is which Club Med you'll visit next!

Set amidst frangipanis, coconut palms and red flame trees, and surrounded by rainforest, Club Crocodile Long Island is a picturesque tropical getaway. The atmosphere is festive, the days are unhurried and the lifestyle is completely casual.

Nestled amongst palm trees, in gardens or on the beach front, each of the 1600 guest rooms at Long Island Resort has en suite bathroom, in-house movies, air-conditioning, telephones, refrigerator, tea/coffee making facilities and room service.

There are also plenty of nocturnal attractions at the resort. After soaking up the sunset, it's time to experience some of the great range of dining and entertainment options. Palms Restaurant, the popular Coffee Shop and the Pool Bar offer the finest in foods and beverages to tempt the taste buds. The Sandbar Lounge provides live entertainment, while the nightclub beckons all to dance the night away. Or after an active day, unwind with a romantic moonlit walk along the beach.

Club Crocodile Long Island's comprehensive range of water sports includes parasailing jetskis, catamarans, glass-bottom water bikes, waterskiing, scuba diving, fishing trips, island cruises, mud-crabbing expeditions and even night crocodile spotting up in the estuaries of the Conway National Park.

The Whitsundays provide a holiday destination unlike anywhere in the world with its aquatic treasures and world class resorts. Club Crocodile Airlie Beach is situated in the picturesque village of Airlie Beach which borders Conway National park, a rugged coastal range of 24,000 hectares.

Guests choose from Standard rooms overlooking the gardens and swimming pools, or Deluxe rooms, many of which overlook the Coral Sea and islands, all containing the facilities you would expect of a first class resort.

By day, Club Crocodile guests can tackle any number of activities, from water sports, tennis, golf, beach volleyball, rainforest walks and bungy jumping, to relaxing by the resort's 50 metres of free-form swimming pools and waterfalls.

Apart from motorised water sports and reef scuba diving, all the resort activities are free, so take advantage of the barbecue facilities, Beach Club, heated spa, health club, tennis courts, aerobics classes, babysitting service, kids games room in-house videos, and nightly entertainment.

After a day of exploration, returning to the comfort of Club Crocodile Airlie Beach becomes even more inviting. The Mangroves restaurant, casual dining bistro and cappuccino bar can satisfy the most ravenous appetite, and with a choice of two bars, relaxing with that long awaited drink is very rewarding.

Once revived, if you desire more action, Airlie Beach comes alive as the sun sets, with a choice of restaurants, live music, cabaret, nightclubs, jazz clubs and tropical bars providing endless fun and entertainment.

Nestled in a little bay surrounded by National Park, Palm Bay hideaway Long Island is a perfect tranquil haven. With no telephone, television, radio or newspapers, you'll find that you've left the world far behind when you step ashore. There is a telephone available at reception, but this is used strictly when needed.

Located off the coast of Queensland, Palm Bay is a small secluded palm fringed cove on the northern end of Long Island which is located in the centre of some 74 Whitsunday islands that form part of the 2,000 km Great Barrier Reef. The resort is a short 15 minute catamaran ride from Shute Harbour or a pleasant 30 minute water taxi from Hamilton Island Airport.

The natural setting sets Palm Bay Hideaway apart from other resorts in the Whitsunday Group. The resort managers are conscious of the ecological responsibility that comes with living on a national park island, so they have managed to retain the natural beauty of the park, while still supplying a certain level of comfort to their guests.

Indeed, Palm Bay Hideaway Long Island has become an example to other tourist developments because of its ability to conserve the precious resources of the island and still create an environmentally sustainable development.

The main dining room is designed with high ceilings in the traditional island style and has open lattice sides so that the trade winds can blow gently through the building, creating a cool and any atmosphere. Comfortable generously-sized cane furniture gives the dining/reception area a sumptuous welcoming feeling.

The tasteful bure accommodation is built with natural timbers and has been constructed in such a way as to keep the rooms cool, spacious and comfortable eliminating the need for air-conditioning. The tiled floors, large sliding doors and high ceilings also combine to keep temperatures down naturally.

Palm Bay started life in the 1920s as a market garden and small grazing leasehold. In the 1960s a few cabins were built on the beachfront and Palm Bay became a holiday destination for those locals who could organise boat transport from the mainland.

The Central Coast is also known as the Capricorn Coast, for it straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and is a 30 minute drive from the region's capital, Rockhampton. It offers kilometres of untouched beaches and safe waters protected by the Keppel Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Keppel Island lies 25 minutes by cruise boat from Yeppoon on the coast or you leave Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour, north of Rockhampton by ferry or hydrofoil. A hilly and densely forested island, it is fringed by reefs which protect its sandy beaches and offers a choice or 40 water and bushland activities. The resort on the western side has a nightclub, a selection of accommodation from resort to cabin style units and there are camping facilitie4s.

Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River, 64km north of Brisbane sits astride the Tropic of Capricorn. It is a charming mix of old wooden houses and modern buildings, the Quay Street historical precinct a good example with its impressive buildings such as the old customs house topped by a copper dome. A tourist crossroad to a number of offshore islands, the Great Barrier Reef to the east, several tropical holiday resorts, along the coast to the north, and the rich gemfields and bushland to the west, the city is a thriving metropolis with one of the finest botanical gardens spread over 40 hectares containing a large range of exotics, including the banyan fig.

Heron Island is a coral island national park with an international resort nestling discreetly amongst its unspoilt beauty. It has excellent snorkelling, reef walking and bird watching. In summer, turtles lay their eggs and hatch on the beach near the resort. Whales migrate off the coast in September. There is a marine biology research station as well as a coral observatory anchored on adjacent Wistan Reef. Nearby Masthead Islet provides excellent reef viewing.

Gladstone was first surveyed in 1853 and by the 1920s was an important centre for wheat and meat. Today it is one of Australia's busiest ports with ten large wharves handling some 30 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is a popular centre for sailing and its art gallery houses touring displays, local arts and crafts and photographs of the history of the region. There is a harbour festival in April.

Bundaberg is a modern city with tree lined streets, colourful private gardens, excellent shopping, fine restaurants and many attractions, including wilderness adventures and country hospitality. It's the most southern stepping off point for day trips and holidays to Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. Annual visitors to this region include the giant ocean turtles which nest on the sand at Mon Repos beach, 14km from Bundaberg, and the magnificent humpback whales which play in the bay from mid August to mid October.

Lady Elliot & Lady Musgrave Islands are both unspoilt coral cays where you can snorkel the reef or come face to face with a variety of marine creatures in an underwater observatory. They are home to a myriad of sea birds, as well as being a nesting place for turtles and a great place for whale watching.

An hour's drive north from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is geared for holiday makers. From the Glass House mountains in the south to Rainbow Beach in the north, the coastline is dotted with resort towns such as Caloundra, Kawana Waters, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Marochydore, Coolum and Noosa Heads and forming a perfect backdrop, the rolling Blackall Range and Kenilworth.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and encompasses an amazing variety of landscapes, long surf beaches, cliffs and gorges, multi-coloured sand, dense rainforests, vast desert-like sand blows, freshwater lakes perched high in the dunes, winding streams, great basalt headlands and salt pans with eerie mangrove forests.

Listed as a World Heritage site, Fraser Island is home to 230 species of birds and is a natural habitat for wallabies, possums, flying foxes, snakes, lizards, goannas and echidnas. Brumbies roam the island as to dingoes, regarded as the purest strain remaining in Eastern Australia. They were used by the Aborigines to flush out game. The island is dotted with ancient Aboriginal sites, shell middens and relics of early European contact such as shipwrecks and lighthouses.

Hervey Bay is one of the best whale watching sites in the world. From August to October licensed tour boats take visitors to watch the antics of the whales and their young. Whale watching attracts more than 45,000 people each year. The resort city stretches along the bay and takes in the beaches of Urangan, Torquay, Scamess, Pialba and Point Vemon. There's a whale festival in August and a Pier Festival in September.

Noosa Heads, known as 'the Cannes of Australia', is a unique blend of sophistication and natural beauty. The northern most resort on the Sunshine Coast, it is famous for its National Park, a 432 hectare area of rainforest, open eucalypt, wallum heathland, shrublands and grasslands and its excellent northerly facing surfing beaches. Tourists can enjoy a wide range of facilities such as sidewalk cafes, restaurants, deluxe hotels and fashionable shops in a town where no building can be higher than the trees. Watersports are particularly popular for behind the beachfront is the Everglades, a series of connected lakes surrounded by bushland. to the north is Cooloola National Park with its coloured sand cliffs, vast inland lakes and the Teewah Coloured Sands.

Maroochydore has long stretches of fine white sandy beaches interspersed with tiny coves protected by rocky headlands. It is also within reach of the hinterland, a forested alternative to the surf and sand. A major centre of the Sunshine Coast on the pretty Maroochy River, it is a delightful family holiday centre, with picnic and barbecue spots, good fishing, boating, water skiing and swimming. The river is also used by anglers.

Caloundra means 'beautiful place' and is a seaside resort at the beginning of the Sunshine Coast with some of the safest beaches and most spectacular surf. A base for trips to the Glass House Mountains and to neighbouring national parks, it has excellent accommodation, good fishing and boasts a number of tourist attractions.

Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia and the capital of Queensland. A pleasant, sub-tropical city, it has much to offer visitors. The South Bank Parklands has cafes, restaurants and eateries, landscaped gardens, a palm fringed lagoon and an entertainment piazza. Regular boat cruises ply the Brisbane River and the waters of Moreton Bay and a host of sports, theatre, entertainment and leisure activities are catered for.

Moreton Island is a sand island on the outskirts of Brisbane which is an unspoilt retreat offering charter cruises, fishing, and wreck and reef diving expeditions. You can swim at pristine white sandy beaches with the playful dolphins and the occasional dugong and imagine you are miles from anywhere even though the city is clo9se at hand.

South Stradbroke Island is another unspoilt sand island close to Brisbane, totally natural and undeveloped with a surprising array of flora and fauna. In fact the Golden Wallaby is found only on this island. There are more than 20kms of beautiful surf beach on the eastern side of the island, while on the western side is the calm broadwater and the resort.

Stretching from Beenleigh in the north to Coolangatta and Tweed Heads in the south on the New South Wales border, the Gold Coast is Australia's premier tourist playground with world class resorts, theme parks, golf courses, unspoilt beaches and National Parks.

There are more than 20 patrolled beaches along the 42km stretch of Pacific coast, and attractions include Currumbin Bird Sanctuary and theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and for family fun Wet'nWild, Cable Ski World and Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Every March, the Australian Indy Car Grand Prix is staged and there are concerts, horseracing, golf tournaments, water regatta, international musicians and bands, parachute displays, fireworks, parties and street shows.

For the rest of the year the Gold Coast hosts surfing and iron man competitions, marathons, yachting and boating competition, jazz and blues festivals, horse racing carnivals, triathlons and championship lawn bowls.

Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast with beaches on one side and the Broadwater on the other. Dotted with restaurants, shopping malls, towering apartments, and resort hotels, by night Surfers Paradise is one bright strip of action with more than 500 restaurants and cafes, nightclubs, bistros, cosy bars and discos. Further up the road at Broadbeach is fabulous Conrad Jupiters Casino complete with 24-hour gambling facilities and a nightly floorshow.

The Gold Coast Hinterland stretches inland from the beach, a vast region of mountains, national parks, subtropical rainforest, valleys and rolling plains. It's here you can go bushwalking, abseiling, horse trail riding, spotlighting local fauna at night and tree t9op walking through rainforest.

The French Quarter Resort uniquely combines Noosa's holiday atmosphere with a touch of French 'joie de vivre'. Located on popular Hstings Street, the resort is steps away from the blue waters of Noosa's Main Beach and Noosa National Park.

The resort features 119 one and two bedroom suites of an international standard, most of which overlook the resort's lagoon-style pools and spa. All suites are air-conditioned and fully self contained, with cooking and laundry facilities. Added comforts are free 24 hour movies, STD/IDD direct dial telephones and a daily housekeeping service.

As would be expected, dining is a mouth watering experience at the French Quarter Resort. The resort's restaurant and bar, Cafe Baya, combines popular classic fare with fresh contemporary 'cuisine of the sun' plus an innovative range of bakery and deli items which can also be taken out.

The French colonial design of the resort uses an interplay of terracotta roof tiles, stucco walls, shutters, sun-patterned slats and corrugated iron awnings to create such a romantic and cosmopolitan feel, it's easy to forget you're just 90 minutes drive north of Brisbane.

Located on Queensland's Sunshine coast 150km north of Brisbane, set in golden sands fringed by an emerald sea, lies the resort town of Noosa. And right in the heart of this jewel of the north are the luxurious and sophisticated apartments of the Emerald Noosa.

Designed to take advantage of the plentiful Noosa sunshine, the Emerald has extensive glassed areas for winter warmth and cooling canvas sails for shade in summer. The elegantly appointed two and three-bedroom apartments feature designer furnishings in soft pastels. Every apartment has two bathrooms each with a spa bath, laundry with drier, television and video, ceiling fans, a designer kitchen for holiday entertaining and expansive terracotta tiled balconies surrounded by lush rainforest greenery.

Landscaped walkways and watercourses further enhance the feeling of seclusion even though The Emerald is situated right on Hastings Street, which is renowned for its exclusive boutiques, excellent restaurants, and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Overlooking Laguna Bay in the north, and tucked between the curve of Noosa Hill and the meandering Noosa River, The Emerald stands directly across from famous Noosa Beach. Perfect conditions year round have made this beach a wonderful attraction for surfers and windsurfers alike. However if you want to escape to your own private paradise, you can explore the rocky headlands that lead into Noosa National Park and discover pristine white beaches where all your cares will soon be forgotten. You will also find some of the best rock fishing in South East Queensland!

Further afield are the colourful Eumundi Markets where you can delight in country art and crafts, and the highlight of many a h9liday itinerary is a 4WD drive tour of Fraser Island - Australia's largest sand island. golfers will be delighted to know that there are a number of superb golf courses in the ar3ea.

Most visitors with water sports in mind automatically head for the Barrier Reef, in Queensland. However, don't overlook the New South Wales coast. Stretching north from Sydney, it has some of the world's finest beaches, a sub-tropical climate, year round swimming, boating, fishing, diving and snorkelling.

Byron Bay is located on a beautiful stretch of unspoilt beach sweeping south from Cape Byron, the easternmost point of the mainland. The locals are determined to keep tourist development low key, so various styles of hotel/motel accommodation, both on the beach front and into the hinterland farming region, are in keeping with the natural landscape. There are good restaurants, cafes and bistros, but none of the razzamatazz nightlife that marks the Gold Coast, a two hour drive north.

Coffs Harbour, one of Australia's fastest growing towns, receives a daily average of seven hours of sunshine year round. A major conference centre with modern shops, boutiques, restaurants and community facilities, Coffs Harbour is more than just another beach resort. It has 44 km of good beaches, numerous rocky headlands and tidal estuaries, and excellent fishing. One of the major attractions is the 20 hectare Botanic Gardens. Farmland and banana plantations lie in the hills away from the beaches, and higher up at 300m is the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve with excellent panoramic views and walking trails.

Port Macquarie has been declared by scientists to have the best climate in Australia with only small temperature variations between seasons. A favourite with travellers throughout the year, there are thirteen perfect beaches. National Parks, mountain and river scenery including panoramic North Brother lookout. It is also known as the koala capital, so don't miss a visit to Kingfisher Park, Billabong Centre and the koala hospital.

Forster & Tuncurry are twin towns at the entrance to Wallis Lake, joined by a sweeping bridge. Stretching on either side is a heavenly stretch of beach for sun lovers and surfers; 145 kms of golden untouched sand, peppered with camping sites, picnic and barbecue facilities. Tuncurry (previously called North Forster) is aboriginal for 'plenty of fish' and is a centre for commercial fishing, prawning, crab and lobster farming. Forster sits between Lake Wallis and the ocean and has excellent scuba diving with coral outcrops. The twin towns are lively with restaurants, shopping, licensed clubs and a wide range of reasonably priced accommodation. Native birds abound and if you stay until dusk you will see the wallabies come down to feed on the grass. The Wallis and Smiths Lakes are the largest oyster producing areas in New South Wales and fishermen flock to deep sea, breach, rock, lake and spear fish.

The Myall Lakes, the largest fresh brackish water system in New South Wales, comprises four lakes and is largely national park. You can hire a houseboat to cruise the Lakes, or you can stay in a resort and hire a boat to explore the many natural bays and inlets along the coast.

No visit to the Great Lakes region is complete without a visit to the hinterland and beautiful Barrington Tops National Park and State Forest. Explore this by bushwalking, horse riding, 4-wheel driving, swimming and canoeing, or simply picnic amidst the beautiful rugged scenery.

From here return to the coast road and drive through the Myall Lakes National Park, crossing Myall Lake on the famous Bombah Point Ferry. At Bulahdelah the Lakes Way takes you past 'The Grands', the tallest tree in New South Wales, to Seal Rocks, a fishing village with a historic lighthouse and magnificent beaches.

Port Stephens stretches 24 km from two prominent headlands with an entrance that has been likened to Rio de Janeiro. Its famous lighthouse dates back to 1862 and it is the only port on this stretch of coast totally devoid of industrial development. Explore the main town, Nelson Bay, and see frolicking dolphins chasing the fishing boats. Nearby are Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens which is linked to two main beaches, Bennett's (ocean) beach and Jimmy's (bay) beach, Shoal Bay, Swan Bay and Snapper Island.

The Entrance and Toukley, where Tuggerah Lake overflows into the sea, is an ar3ea where water is never more than a few minutes away in any direction. Less than two hours from Sydney, sandwiched between the two major cities of New South Wales is the Central Coast. Its many highlights include secluded Toowoon Bay, Toukley, a popular fishing spot, and the nearby holiday centres of The Entrance, where it is fun to watch the numerous pelicans, Budgewoi and Avoca Beach. Terrigal with its resorts, boutiques and a long white beach ideal for watersports, is a popular escape, attracting many young urban professionals.

Sheltered by a row of massive Norfolk Pines symbolic of its rich history, Kims Beachside Retreat is a century=old prestige resort, located less than 90 minutes drive north of Sydney. It offers peace, prestige and privacy in an intimate setting, ideal for couples who want a luxurious romantic escape.

The 34 cedar bungalows at Kims are hidden amidst the lush sub-tropical gardens and all have spacious decks. Deluxe bungalows have private heated pools, while others feature either outdoor heated spa pools or are right on the beach.

Guests are treated to three lavish home-cooked meals daily, including hot and cold buffets featuring abundant local seafood and produce, as well as Australian bush tucker. The emphasis is on quality, with items like bread, butter, smoked ham, bottled preserves and ice cream all being prepared on the premises. An outstanding selection of cheese and a first-rate cellar add to the culinary experience.

Noah's Seaspray Restaurant and cocktail lounge offers superb a la carte dining complemented by an extensive wine list showcasing the Hunter Valley's best. Live music adds to the romantic ambience on weekends. During daylight hours in the winter months, the restaurant's floor to ceiling ocean views allow for a spot of whale watching as these magnificent creatures migrate north to warmer waters. Porpoises are also frequent visitors to these shores.

Catch the sunrise with a leisurely stroll on the beach, or if you are more energetic, you may relish a few brisk laps in the ocean baths or a jog before breakfast. During your stay, discover the many interesting walks and points of interest in the vicinity of the hotel including Newcastle's vicinity of the hotel including Newcastle's historic East End. Day tours to the nearby Hunter Valley vineyards or to Port Stephens or Lake Macquarie for boating or fishing can also be arranged.

Spectacular ocean or harbour vistas create the perfect backdrop in your choice of conference or function rooms. to ensure your event runs smoothly and successfully, Noah's friendly staff provide the ultimate in personalised service and take care of every detail from electronic equipment to catering.

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