Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat

Laguna Whitsundays

by lou31

LAGUNA WHITSUNDAYS IS A HUGE WORLD CLASS GOLF RESORT SITUATED 45 KILOMETRES SOUTH OF AIRLIE BEACH. THE COURSE WAS DESIGNED BY USPGA CHAMPION DAVID GRAHAM AND HIS PARTNER GARRY PANKS. IN 2005 IT WAS VOTED NUMBER ONE PUBLIC ACCESS GOLF COURSE IN AUSTRALIA. IT’S 6,399 METRE LAYOUT MEANDERS AROUND NATURAL BUSHLAND AND RAINFORESTS. THE SHORES OF THE PICTURESQUE CORAL SEA LAPS A NUMBER OF ITS FAIRWAYS.
WE STAYED AT ONE OF THE 60 SELF CONTAINED VILLAS WHICH LINE THE FAIRWAYS. THE GARDENS AND LANDSCAPING WERE ESPECIALLY WELL MAINTAINED AND PLEASANT. FACILITIES INCLUDED PAY TV, PRIVATE BALCONY/PATIO, WELL APPOINTED KITCHENS, WASHING MACHINES, AIR CON AND LUXURY BATHROOMS.
WE HIRED A GOLF BUGGY AND HAD LOADS OF FUN ZOOMING AROUND THE GOLF COURSE. IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO TAKE IN THE SCENERY. COST WAS ABOUT $40 FOR 4 HRS. OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TENNIS, BIKE RIDING, BUSHWALKING AND CROQUET. THE 40 METRE POOL AT THE RAQUET CLUB IS A PERFECT PLACE TO SPEND A QUIET AFTERNOON. YOU CAN SIP A COCKTAIL AT THE SWIM UP BAR OR PLAY A GAME OF POOL VOLLEY BALL. THE NEARBY BEACH CLUB IS A PRIVATE OCEAN WATER LAGOON WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY CANOEING, SWIMMING, SAILBOARDING OR JUST RELAXING ON THE WHITE SANDY BEACHES.
BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES AND DINNERS CAN BE ENJOYED AT THE RAQUET CLUB. WE HAD LUNCH THERE AND MY CLUB SANDWICH WAS DELICIOUS. ANOTHER MEAL THAT LOOKED GOOD WAS THE THAI BEEF SALAD. ALL EQUIPMENT CAN BE HIRED AND FEES INCLUDE THE GOLF BUGGY WHICH YOU WILL NEED IN ORDER TO GET AROUND THIS MASSIVE COURSE.

THE LAGOON

by stevemt

The recently constructed shore based lagoon at Airlie Beach is great.

There are lifesavers there during the day.

It is large, great for people of all ages and kids. Everyone swims here and not at the beach.

Food shops, restaurants, beachware stores, pubs hostels are all adjacent.

Hey guess what - ITS FREE

Reef Fishing

by lou31

If you are a keen angler what could be more fun that getting out and doing some serious fishing? There are companies that offer chartered trips to the reefs.

The 63 ft Stella Maris is based at the nearby Abel Point Marina and does half and full day trips and up to 7 day adventures.
On board are fridges, freezers, hot showers, navigation equipment etc.
You can also enjoy snorkeling and diving.

Day trips will cost approx $150 while a 5 day voyage will set you back about $1,200
Fishing equipment is supplied for day trippers only so you have to bring your own for longer
outings. The boat is also BYO but they do have fridges to keep your drinks cold.
There is also a small marine parks fee per person.

Buzz

by backpackerbaby

"It's bloooooooooody happening!"

That's the place to be if you're sick of the life of the nearby mining towns.

It's a lively place - haven't explored it long enough to give tho' yet I can tell I love this place heaps, just love it. O yeah, perhaps there are just a bit more good looking people hanging out, perhaps there are just a bit more great dining spots, perhaps there is just a bit more nice music...

That's the place to be, why bother if it's dodgy? You're not living there forever.

Airlie Beach, North Queensland

by Kate-Me

We were actually en route to Townsville on the bus and only stopped to pick up and set down passengers in Airlie Beach, but what I saw as we drove in - the vibrant buzz of the shops, all the people, and the gorgeous blue green water of the harbour and all the boats as we passed...really made me wish I was stopping there.
I definitely will next time, even though the township looks super trendy and super touristy.
One guy we met had just gone there and said it was a real party town. I don't know if he meant that was good...or bad!