Latest news with #HamiltonIsland
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-lizard-island-great-barrier-reef-aerial-ALISTPOSTSTUART0725-0a8a7a6198b24aa9af8181f8fc6b5e12.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
A Travel Advisor's Guide to Australia's Great Barrier Reef—What to Know Before You Go
The Great Barrier Reef, which stretches over 1,400 miles along Australia's east coast, is bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands combined. Given its size, there are many ways to experience it—including private villas, exclusive-use islands and superyachts. As a travel advisor who's visited this technicolor natural wonder multiple times, here are my top tips for planning a trip there. The Hamilton Beach Club Restaurant. Kara Rosenlund/Hamilton Island For a truly private reef encounter, consider exclusive-use islands like Pelorus Private Island, which has a full-service beach house that accommodates 11 guests. For a more remote and rustic location, Haggerstone Island is in the far north reaches of the reef. Other luxury resort options include The House at Lizard Island and The Residence at Qualia. There are adult-only properties if you're looking for a romantic experience. Enjoy sunset cocktails in your own plunge pool at Qualia on Hamilton Island, detach from the rest of the world at Bedarra Island Resort, or slip away to Wilson Island for intimate glamping. Families with younger children are welcomed at the new Sundays on Hamilton Island and the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef resort in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands. Further north, Orpheus Island also offers a collection of family-friendly amenities and activities. At the fabulous Silky Oaks Lodge, visitors can experience two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders side-by-side: Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Incredible snorkeling and scuba diving can be found across the Great Barrier Reef. Lizard Island, for example, provides opportunities to snorkel with green turtles above giant clam gardens or dive at the famous Cod Hole. For serious underwater explorers, stay on a dive ship that goes to some of the most remote and biodiverse spots on the planet. For those who'd rather stay above water, the 74 tropical islands in the Whitsundays offer spectacular cruising grounds for bareboat charters and superyachts alike. If you're interested in visiting the Outer Reef, which is approximately 90 minutes by catamaran from the mainland, you might consider a scenic heli-transfer to beat the crowds and enjoy aerial views that help contextualize the Great Barrier Reef's vast scale. Free diving at Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef. Luxury Lodges of Australia Generally speaking, May through October is considered to have the most stable weather conditions and best underwater visibility. But there are certain natural phenomena that travelers may want to time their trip around. Swim with Minke Whales at the Ribbon Reefs in June-July. Take part in reef conservation by joining The Great Reef Census in September-January Game fish for black marlin on Lizard Island in September-November Witness coral spawning in the Reef's northern reaches just after a full-moon in October-December Watch turtle hatchlings make their way out to sea at Mon Repos, Heron Island, or Lady Elliot in February-April. Stuart Rigg is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in trips to Australia. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Rigg at [email protected] .
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zara Tindall shows off trim physique as she she cosies up to husband Mike in 'unforgettable' trip to Australia
Zara Tindall showed off her trim physique as she cosied up to her husband Mike on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef this week. The daughter of Princess Anne, 44, and Mike Tindall, 46, have spent a few days on Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia, where they headed out to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the first time. In a photograph from the 'unforgettable' trip, Zara showed off her svelte figure in a basic white tank top and linen cream shorts. She completed her outfit with a casual cap to shade her face from the sun, and accessorised with a thin, dark brown belt. Meanwhile, former rugby union player Mike opted for a pair of bold, light pink shorts with a postcard pattern, paired with a simple white Byron Bay T-shirt. He too wore a baseball cap - but in a bright orange and black design. Sharing a selection of images from their trip to Hamilton Island, Mike said: 'We had the chance to spend a few days on Hamilton Island this week - despite all the times we have been to Australia we have never been here before and it's been amazing. 'It's our first time being out on the water in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park too and it really was unreal, Queensland definitely has it all. 'Made some incredible memories. 'What an unforgettable way to spend some down time.' It comes after Zara and Mike attended the 2025 State of Origin decider in Australia, where the mother-of-three previously dubbed her 'home away from home'. Former rugby union player Mike shared a glimpse of the fun at Sydney 's Accor Stadium on Instagram last Saturday, marvelling over the rugby game's 'incredible atmosphere' that saw Queensland 's victory over New South Wales. Princess Anne 's daughter looked radiant in the sweet selfie shared by her husband, and she ditched her usual formal clothes for casual attire, including a rugby merchandise scarf. While Zara's family members have been enjoying a spot of tennis in London 's balmy temperatures at Wimbledon, she wrapped up warm in a jumper and scarf to protect herself against Sydney's winter chill. After being spotted cheering on from the sidelines by Australian TV channel Nine, Mike, dressed in jeans and a black jacket, and Zara posed on the pitch after the game on Wednesday. Mike and Zara, who are parents to their three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, attended the event as guests of Maroons coach Billy Slater's wife, Nicole Slater. The pair are understood to be good friends with Maroons boss Slater, after they crossed paths at a polo event in Queensland back in January 2024. Slater teamed up with Mike and Australian polo star, Ruki Ballieau, for the celebrity polo match at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo Day last year.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zara Tindall soaks up the sun with her husband Mike at Hamilton Island in Queensland: 'What an unforgettable way to spend some down time'
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike are soaking up the Queensland sunshine, enjoying a rare break from their busy schedules during a stunning getaway at Hamilton Island. The former England rugby star, 46, shared a series of scenic photos to social media on Friday, showing himself and Zara, 44, aboard a luxury yacht as they cruised through the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 'We had the chance to spend a few days on Hamilton Island this week – despite all the times we have been to Australia, we have never been here before and it's been amazing,' Mike wrote in the heartfelt caption. 'It's our first time being out on the water in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park too and it really was unreal. Queensland definitely has it all. Made some incredible memories. What an unforgettable way to spend some downtime.' He added hashtags including #familytime and #memories, tagging both @queensland and @hamiltonisland. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The couple, dressed casually in white tees and shorts, beamed in one photo taken on the deck of their vessel, with the ocean stretching out behind them. In another snap, beachgoers are seen enjoying the balmy Queensland weather under clear blue skies as the pair relaxed off-camera. It marks another cherished chapter in the Tindalls' long-running love affair with Australia. The royal duo – who have been married since 2011 – are regular visitors to the country, travelling Down Under nearly every year for the Magic Millions equestrian carnival on the Gold Coast. Zara, daughter of Princess Anne and niece to King Charles, is an accomplished equestrian and Olympic silver medallist. She's also a long-time ambassador for Magic Millions, a high-profile role she's held since 2012. Speaking previously, Zara said the country feels like her 'home away from home'. 'We have always loved Australia, and it is like a home from home for us... although the Magic Millions carnival is busy... we couldn't ask for a better way to start the year,' she said. Zara previously confirmed she and her family holidayed in Australia previously, and that they adore the lifestyle. Speaking to Hello! magazine, Zara once admitted she'd consider moving Down Under if the timing were right: 'Probably not while I'm still competing… but after that… yes, I think if an opportunity came up we'd definitely think about it.' Mike added: 'Early January is bleak over here [in the UK] so it's nice to go and have a bit of sun. I love the lifestyle of Australia and the ability to get up early, go on the beach – especially for the kids. 'It's not a rushed lifestyle. I think it's a great place and we enjoy it so much.' The pair famously met in Sydney in 2003 at the Wharf Bar in Manly while Zara was on a gap year and Mike was recovering from being cut from the World Cup squad. They were introduced by Prince Harry and soon hit it off. The pair married in 2011 and the couple have visited Australia almost every year since, only taking a break between 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 lockdowns. They share three children, Mia Grace, 10, Lucas, three, and Lena Elizabeth, six.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gogglebox star Vestal Delpechitra shows off massive diamond ring after romantic Hamilton Island proposal: 'Here's to a lifetime of us'
A beloved Gogglebox Australia star is engaged. Vestal Delpechitra is set to tie the knot after her longtime boyfriend Benjamin Tagg popped the question while the pair were on vacation. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Vestal posted a slew of photos of the romantic proposal on Hamilton Island. 'Here's to a lifetime of us 11.07.25,' the 26-year-old captioned the post. Vestal wore a floor-length white dress with a large flower print on the front, while her now-fiancé wore all black for the special day. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Benjamin got down on one knee on a pristine beach alongside a sweet picnic set-up for the two. He proposed with a giant, oval-cut diamond ring, which earned an 'I do' from his bride-to-be. The comments section was flooded with well wishes from family, friends and a few fellow Gogglebox stars. 'Congratulations to you both, here's to your next adventure in life,' Lee and Keith wrote. 'What fabulous news! Huge congratulations to you both and wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together,' Kate Dalton gushed. Also congratulating them on the engagement post was Vestal's mum Tracey and her brother Ethan. 'Soooo happy for you both. You'v beaten Wendel to the altar,' Tracey penned. Ethan simply put: 'WOWWWWWWWWW.' Vestal and her family has been on Gogglebox since its inception ten years ago Vestal and her family have been on Gogglebox since its inception ten years ago. Patrick and Tracey, along with their kids Wendel, Ethan and Vestal first appeared on the Channel 10 show in 2015. This year marks a decade on the beloved reality series. The Sri Lankan-Australian brood are known for their hilarious one-liners and tight-knit relationship on the series. They returned to screens in 2025 and are still fan favourites amongst the Gogglebox fandom.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The look of love! NRL star Bradman Best and his glamorous partner Kayla return from holiday on Hamilton Island as they prepare for parenthood
NRL star Bradman Best and his partner Kayla Fenech have returned from a Hamilton Island getaway as they prepare for parenthood. Best, 23, was spotted with the daughter of Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech looking very much in love as they arrived in Sydney. The representative centre can put his feet up this weekend, as the Knights have a bye in the NRL. It comes as Fenech - dubbed the 'Marrickville Mauler' can't wait to be a grandfather. The former IBF and WBC title holder previously stated that he didn't want his daughter to date a rugby league player - but changed his tune after meeting Best. The couple recently announced they are expecting a baby in 2026 on Instagram. 'Baby Best due in January 2026. We can't wait,' Kayla wrote on the social media platform. But despite his earlier comments, Fenech has now spoken of his delight at the news. 'They are so happy,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'And I'm so proud of both of them. Whether it's a boy or a girl, the baby is going to have some great genes. 'And they'll be great parents. I love Kayla and Bradman is a great fella who will make a great dad.' Fenech said he initially went 'apes***' when he found out his daughter was dating a footy player. 'I'd always warned my girls about going out with league players,' he had previously said. He added: 'So when she rang and told me, I went off the deep end. I gave her a roasting. She kept trying to say, 'Dad, he's a lovely guy'. Kayla was telling me every day how nice he was. 'Bradman knew I was angry, but he told Kayla, 'I'll prove your dad wrong' - and he (certainly) has.' Kayla has over 200,000 followers on Instagram and works as a business development manager for Ray White. Kayla held the ultrasound and a tiny pair of Nike trainers as she announced she and Best are expecting a baby in January Fenech stated he was 'so proud' of the pair, having also previously revealed that he and Best had gone down to the gym to train together After announcing the big news on Instagram, the pair received a heartfelt reception from many of their close friends and family. Her mother Suzee wrote in the comments: 'Omg I'm so proud of you both, can't wait to meet my gorgeous little bubba. 'Super excited to be on this next chapter/journey with you both. Luv u both.' Best, 23, made his debut for the Knights in 2019 and has gone on to make 98 appearances for the side, scoring 42 tries.
