Hamilton Island heats up in 2012

We here at Holidays for Couples NEVER need an excuse to get ourselves north to the warm balmy tropics, and Hamilton Island rates as a favourite destination! And with a year round events calender that offers us everything from world-class cultural encounters and fabulous natural attractions, island hoppers have 12 defining reasons to visit the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in 2012:

JANUARY - Learn a new skill, with over 60 activities to choose
FEBRUARY - Fall in love with some romance on the reef
MARCH - Spring clean the body with a spa treatment
APRIL - Be reef-freshed with a Reefsleep experience
MAY - On your marks for the Hilly Half Marathon
JUNE - Make a splash with Australia's largest outrigger event, the Hamilton Island Cup
JULY - Indulge in the culinary delights of the Great Barrier Feast
AUGUST - Mingle with celebrities and sailors at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week
SEPTEMBER - Migrate south for whale watching in the Whitsundays
OCTOBER - Tee off for a round of golf in the sunshine
NOVEMBER - Enjoy an intimate audience with the Australian Ballet
DECEMBER - Be enthralled by the excitement of the SB3 World Championships.

Check out these fab events and discover more about a dream Hamilton Island holiday experience here. What are you waiting for? Pack your sarong and book that ticket!

Romance on the Reef at qualia this Valentines Day

It's never too early to start planning a extra special, romantic surprise for Valentine's Day. We heard about this amazing offer from the stunning qualia on Hamilton Island and simply had to share it with you - could there be a more spectacular location to make romantic memories together then right here, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world - sun-drenched Hamilton Island, on the Great Barrier Reef?! 

qualia resort has announced a special Valentine's package - and, whether it's used as a surprise mid-summer getaway, or given as a gift on 14 February that can be used year-round, the trip is sure to provide a welcome romantic retreat.

qualia, (pronounced kwah-lee ah) recently included in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Gold List, is located on the secluded northern-most point of Hamilton Island.  This stunningly beautiful luxury resort features 60 elegant one bedroom pavilions and a Beach house with postcard views of the blue green waters of the Coral Sea in the Whitsunday Islands.

With its sense of calm and sophisticated, yet casual style, qualia offers a private and relaxing experience where couples can be as active or relaxed as they wish.  As the main gateway for visiting the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers a full complement of recreational activities including a new Yacht Club, Golf Club and two spas.  

One of the highlights of the package is a one and half hour helicopter trip to Whitehaven Beach where the couple is "dropped" off for a romantic picnic lunch on the 7km stretch of white silica sand beach.

Priced from $4,218 AUD per pavilion* (twin share), the 'Romance on the Reef' package includes:

• 3 nights accommodation at qualia resort
• A la carte breakfast, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages consumed at qualia
• Whitehaven Beach by helicopter including a picnic and sparkling wine
• VIP Return Hamilton Island airport/marina to hotel transfers
• VIP chauffeur service around Hamilton Island
• A two-seater electric golf buggy for use on the Island
• Use of non-motorised watercraft
• Beach drop-offs to selected local beaches and surrounding islands
• Sunset cruise on the Coral Sea on the "Atomic" - qualia's luxury power boat

*This package is not available as a bed and breakfast option. Prices are based on twin share. The 'from price' above is for a Leeward pavilion. Valid for travel: 1 Apr 2011 - 31 Mar 2012. Prices are in AUD. For new rates from 1 Apr 2012 onwards, please view their website for more details. Blackout dates: Festive Season: 22 Dec 2011 - 4 Jan 2012 inclusive.

For more information or to make reservations, visit the qualia website, or contact the Luxury Specialist team.