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Sunset over Whitsunday Islands Photography by Tourism Queensland A Long Weekend in the Whitsundays -By Adrienne Costin An island sojourn, a sailing adventure, a delicious dinner by the pool, and breakfast on high - all highlights of a fabulous long weekend in the Whitsundays - Queensland's most famous island group. I haven't mentioned the wander along the bicentennial boardwalk in Airlie Beach, sunset drinks on the water at Coral Sea Resort, quiet moments on the balcony of the hotel, exploring Bowen, or the massage and sunset cruise on Hamilton Island. While a week or longer would be ideal - these three nights were a tempter to what one day will be a much longer visit. After leaving Brisbane at midday and flying directly to Hamilton Island, I was enjoying a mocktail and checking into the Beach Club by mid-afternoon The weather was unseasonably cool, so sadly the inviting pool wasn't tested on this occasion, but that gave more time to enjoy the accommodation and the island. The Beach Club is five years old and the premier accommodation on the island. The rooms ooze island luxury with their fittings, furniture, cream shutters, lawn and beachfront access. The most outstanding feature, though, is that from the front balcony the island appears to be your own - all you can see is water, the surrounding islands, the palm trees lining the beach and rocky outcrops of the island. Behind you Hamilton bubbles with life as visitors go about the business of enjoying their holidays. The golf buggies they travel in beetle around the island, the view from the lookout is as glorious as ever. There are great plans in place for the island including a refurbishment of the Reef View Hotel and construction of a six and a half star development so exclusive it will be landlocked and accessed only by launch. After a glorious twilight sail, complete with champagne and nibblies on the lovely old Banjo Patterson, the island air tempted an early night, although the new restaurant at the Beach Club was tempting. Breakfast by the pool the next morning was also to die for! The massage which followed may have only been for half an hour but was tremendous (some Daydream Island mermaids locals in Airlie later admitted they travel to the island for their massages) and was the perfect wind-down before we took the Fantasea Cruises Blue Ferry transfer to Daydream Island where guests are greeted by the statues of three mermaids sitting on a rock in front of the island. The day visitor area is vibrant, and great fun - from the amazing themed mini-golf course to the coral lagoon, bakery and restaurant, pool, magnificent chapel and lush gardens. The spa facilities have to be seen to be believed and the coral reef that meanders through the center of the resort really is bringing the reef to the people - it is thriving with its coral bommies, reef fish, sharks and manta rays. After a light but delicious lunch on the patio at Mermaids it is time to keep moving and catch the transfer back to Shute Harbour and on to Airlie Beach. Fifteen minutes later we are making our way into Airlie Beach, the hub of the Whitsunday region. The accommodation options in Airlie are extensive and will suit all tastes and budgets. They include glorious waterfront and hillside resorts and apartments on the hill overlooking the town. There is two, three and four star accommodation that is all very central, bed and breakfasts', backpacker hostels, and caravan parks. Take your pick and even if you end up out of Airlie a little at nearby Cannonvale it's not a problem because many places offer courtesy coaches, as do tour operators. There is also a regular bus service and taxis. I stayed at the Airlie Beach Hotel which offers very comfortable and affordable accommodation It is ideally situated next to the water and the lagoon and is only a stones throw from the shops, other bars and restaurants, although it has both of its own as well which are well worth visiting. The sunset walk along the boardwalk included a sundowner at Coral Sea Resort and was followed by dinner at Pescatori's Restaurant, located poolside at Water's Edge Resort on the hill overlooking Airlie. The waiter and the food were remarkable and the balmy night and great wine (a new selection recommended by the waiter) topped off the end of another great day. Whitehaven Beach Day Three started very early when the Cruise Whitsundays' courtesy coach collected passengers for the Camira Sailing Adventure. A full day of sailing awaited, as well as time on gorgeous Whitehaven Beach with its unbelievably white sand, snorkelling with the fish on the pretty reefs at Border Island, more great food and a sail home at sunset. It was a day to remember and one that guaranteed another early night. The flight back to Brisbane was booked for midday but still allowed time for a quick run up to Bowen in a hire car. The entrance to the city is industrial to say the least, but keep driving because what waits on the water side is magnificent. Horseshoe, Murray and Rose bays are majestic, protected havens just waiting to be visited and the Queen's Beach includes a stinger net swimming enclosure. Caravan parks still claim some of the best vantage points on Bowen's foreshore areas and are well patronised as a result. A climb to the top of the hill at Horseshoe Cove is well worth the effort, and the best secret is atop Flagstaff Hill. THE FACTS Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Blue fly regular services to Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Airport, Proserpine. Fantasea Cruises Blue Ferries provide water transfers to island resorts and Shute Harbour. Taxis and bus transfers are available to Airlie Beach from Whitsunday Airport. A stylish, modern building known as the Flagstaff Interpretational Centre is also home to a restaurant/café "360 on the hill", so-named because of the panorama. It offers casual breakfasts and lunches, then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights takes on a new persona with a set menu, white table cloths and candles - and of course switches the day time vista to the twinkling lights of Bowen and the mainland. A word of warning - be hungry when you get there. The freshly cooked breakfast could fill three men easily and the pancakes were so fluffy and their topping of raspberry coulis and natural yoghurt is so filling they almost can't be finished - well except by someone who always likes to tackle a food challenge. All too soon it was time to make the return drive back down through the cane fields to Proserpine to hand the hire car over and board the plane. The Whitsunday weekend was over! For more information on holiday options in the Whitsundays visit http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au

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