New Brisbane

Since moving to Queensland, I have constantly been amazed at the sheer beauty that this state has to offer. And with both Jetstar and VirginBlue frequently offering discounted flights up to Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays, I have a couple times taken a trip up there to check it out. Last time I went, I was forced to stay on the mainland, as island accomodation was just too expensive. But this time, I found possibly the best value way to stay (and party!) on an island in the Whitsundays - and that way was Adventure Island Whitsundays.

Adventure Island Whitsundays
Great Barrier Reef Lagoon,
Whitsundays, QLD, Australia

Phone: 1800 466 444
Fax: (07) 4946 9580
Email: reservations@koalaresort.com.au
Web: www.koalaadventureisland.com.au

Formerly South Molle Island, the island has recently rebranded as Adventure Island Whitsundays and focused its efforts at attracting the ‘traveler’ market, rather than the tourist market. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, tourists are people who want to rush through their holidays, doing a whirlwind tour and spending whatever they have to in order to to get what little distraction they can during their short breaks from their 60 hour workweeks.

Travelers, on the other hand, are those who delight in exploring new things and visiting fantastic places while realising you don’t have to spend a bundle to enjoy yourself. So whether you be a backpacker, sampling our wonderful state, or a Brisbanite that just loves exploring your own backyard, Adventure Island Whitsundays is a fantastic way to enjoy your stay in the Whitsundays and to experience some of the sheer awesomeness that is Queensland.

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Whitsunday Island group, Adventure Island Whitsundays boasts several kilometres of beautiful tropical island (I should know! My nature loving hippy friends made me walk all over them!). With numerous breathtaking beaches, including some great snorkeling spots (we literally had rays popping up out of the sand in front of us!), some great views (Climb the mountain, it’s worth it!), abundant wildlife (nothing poisonous!) and a swag of adventure trails, there is plenty to appreciate about the island itself.

And it doesn’t end there! Despite being able to stay there from just $49 a night, the former luxury resort boasts all kinds of amenities, such as a 9-hole golf course, large pool and spa (including rock waterfall), well-equipped rooms, archery course (depending on safety instructor availability), onsite massage therapist, snorkel hire, jet ski hire, organised activities and more! Adventure Island Whitsundays literally has all the trappings of a luxury resort without the exhorbitant pricetag that usually accompanies it!

Being on an island, you’re of course limited in where you can eat or drink, but fortunatly, this island not only has a great value restaurant and cafe (with easily the best chicken parmagiana I’ve tasted in Australia!), but also the lively Discovery Bar. For those such as myself, who enjoy good drink and good company (with a bit of bad dancing thrown in), the Discovery Bar is the perfect place to chill out during these balmy tropical nights. Not only do the happy hours and other drink specials make it great value to drink in, but the regular stream of travelers from the mainland (that we noticed to be mainly young & fun UK backpackers) and nightly games ensure that fun is had by all.

With Cruise Whitsundays regularly stopping at the island, taking punters out to Knuckle Reef (where you can snorkle on the Great Barrier Reef) or out on Camira (their awesome one-day catamaran adventure!), there is also plenty of opportunity to explore the Whitsundays, which are truly majestic and beautiful. I highly recommend taking both trips, which (as mentioned in previous articles) you can get a discount on if you combine them.

So it sounds like this island was perfect. Well, it wasn’t. But when you can spend all day relaxing on the beach, snorkeling in the water, or knocking coconuts out of a tree to eat fresh (1 hour of bashing to open it, 5 minutes to eat it!), you forget about the rest and a few months later all you’re going to remember is that you had a fantastic time, with fantastic people in a beautiful, tropical island paradise. If you’re going to stay ANYWHERE in the Whitsundays, make sure it’s on Adventure Island Whitsundays.

- Ross