Escape to the Whitsundays

Tourism Queensland is inviting holidaymakers to enjoy a Queensland Season of Sailing getaway in the Whitsundays this winter when attention turns to the region and two of Australia’s favourite sailing events, Airlie Beach Race Week (12-19 August) and Hamilton Island Race Week (20-28 August).

A selection of Whitsundays’ holiday packages has been developed for all interests and budgets and would be ideal for friends and families of sailors competing in the regattas.

The time poor will enjoy Southern Cross Sailing Adventure’s ‘Quick Sail & Stay Package’. Starting at $284 per person it includes a two day, one night sailing tour of the Whitsundays, two nights’ accommodation in Airlie Beach, snorkeling gear and stinger suits. An additional introductory/certified dive is also available for only $75. Other packages include the five night ‘Adventure Sail & Stay’ from $542 per person and ‘Deluxe Sail & Daydream Island’, also five nights, from $1241 per person. All packages are available until 31 March 2011.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht’s ‘Sail & Island Stay Bonus Deal’ starts at $835 per person and combines five nights on a fully equipped, skipper-yourself vessel with two nights in a Garden Balcony room at Daydream Island Resort & Spa. It includes a full buffet breakfast on Daydream, a bonus $20 spa voucher per room, free delivery and collection of the yacht from the island bonus $100 fuel credit and marine park fees. The longer seven-night ‘Family Sail & Stay Bonus Deal’, $2970 per family (two adults, two children 0 -14yrs) includes a bonus $20 Living Reef tour voucher, $50 fuel credit and marine park fees (valid to 23 December 2010, excluding 12 September-11 October 2010).

Cruise Whitsundays offer a fantastic family or couples escape on a four night ‘Stay and Day Sail Adventure’ and a three night ‘Stay and Day Sail Combo’. Prices start from $698 per person twin share or $2110 for two adults and two children (5-15 years) and include four nights’ accommodation at Club Crocodile Airlie Beach Resort, full buffet breakfast daily and three full day cruises - Camira Whitehaven Sailing Adventure, a Long Island Day Cruise and a Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise. Return ferry transfers between Hamilton Island and Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, are also included. Prices for the Stay and Day Sail combo start at $539 person twin share. Both packages are valid until 23 December 2010.

Barefoot Cruises luxurious six-night ‘Whitsunday Reef and Island Escape’ features three nights on the luxury motor yacht, Oceanic Pearl, catering for a maximum of 10 guests and three nights on beautiful Hamilton Island in the Reef View Hotel. Prices start at $2,195 per person and also include all meals on the boat and buffet breakfasts on the island. It is valid to 31 March 2011.

Charter Yachts Australia and Daydream Island ‘Resort & Spa Sail and Stay’ offers five nights bareboat charter onboard a new Catalina 320 Yacht, full gourmet provisioning and marine park fees. Sail into Daydream Island Resort and Spa where your boat will be collected and returned to its base and enjoy a further three night’s accommodation in a Coral Ocean Balcony Room, daily buffet breakfast, $100 dining voucher, 30 minute massage for two and return ferry transfers to Abel Point Marina. Prices start from $5169 per couple and the package is valid until 23 December 2011.

Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach has a three night ‘Island Hopping Escape’ including accommodation in an ocean view room, daily tropical breakfast, a two island day cruise to Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach with Fantasea Cruises and transfers from either Whitsunday Coast or Hamilton Island Airport. Prices start from $600 per person and are valid until 31 March 2011, except 28 December-10 January, 2011.

For more information on Whitsundays’ Season of Sailing holiday packages, and others in Central Queensland and Townsville, visit www.queenslandholiday.com.au/sailing.

Getting there:

Jetstar 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.

- Tourism Queensland Media