Looking for the best and most sophisticated dining experience in Sydney? Why not go for the award-winning Wildfire Restaurant Sydney, situated in an awesome locale that provides great views for the world-famous Opera House and the Sydney Harbour. It has under its belt ‘the best new Sydney Restaurant’ according to the Vanity Fair Magazine of July 2002, and the coveted Wine List from 2002-2004, courtesy of the Restaurant & Catering Association NSW.

Wildfire boasts of an unmatched extravagant ambient interior to complement its position’s beauty, and has the largest open kitchens among Sydney restaurants and bespoke facilities for grilling and wood firing on a grand scale. Once the dinner process starts, the whole process gets transformed by the actions. From the busy yet organized waiters to the energetic chatter of hundreds of clients.

The key to success for a restaurant of such status is to some extent un-idealistic notion of constancy. With all the 300 clients waiting for dishes from the same menu, and with the locals coming back from time to time for food, the kitchen staff must endeavor for similitude to ensure satisfaction and happiness. The 40-odd something kitchen staff of Wildfire Restaurant Sydney hold this special skill in the highest regard, and the quantity allows for a depth of cooking style and a menu unmatched.

Drink lovers would fall in love with Wildfire’s sea bar as you get indulged with the ocean thanks to over 6 different assortments of rock oyster and 5 different pacific oysters. There are marvelous seafood platters, and the aquarium boasts crustaceans, fish, and shellfish. Menu is categorized into 3 -1st and 2nd flavours and main plates all offering different modern mouthwatering flavours. Whether you want meat, poultry, vegetables, or seafoods, the wood-fired churrasco fired with seasoned yellow box wood and ironbark puts that exceptional flavour unique only to Wildfire.

Address: Circular Quay NSW 2000

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and has a population of 3.8 million people. It is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria. Located at the bottom of the Yarra River, the city was founded by settlers from Van Diemen’s land. Aided by the Victorian Gold Rush, the city saw a large influx of citizens and quickly became a wealth metropolis. By the 1880’s, it was one of the richest cities in the entire world.

Host to much national and international conference such as the 1956 summer Olympics, The World Economic Forum 2000, the Commonwealth Head of Government meeting and the 2006 Commonwealth Games; it is a major center for education, tourism, commerce, culture and the arts. Considered to be one of the world’s most livable cities, Melbourne is the home to many of Australia’s most important sporting event, cultural events and institutions. Eclectic blends of contemporary and Victorian architecture give this city its unique flair.

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the area was inhibited for approximately 40,000 years by three aboriginal tribes: Wathaurong, Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri. It was a vital location for water and food. The first settlement of Europeans in the area was in 1785. The Victorian Gold Rush of the 1850 lead to a huge population growth and the city became a service center and the regions major port. A devastating smallpox outbreak in the early 1860’s decimated the city.

The moderate Oceanic Climate is known for its quickly changing wealth patters. It is colder than most of Australia, but still sees snow each year. The spring is an extended period of moderate weather that is prized by the citizens.

An important cultural and economic center in Australia, Melbourne has benefited from the many attractions within the city. A popular tourist location, it is a very popular place to visit.

Engadine, now a suburb, was originally meant to be part of Australia’s national park lands. It was actually set aside for that use from 1879 until 1890. Charles McAlister found some way around that and was able to purchase the land creating McAlister’s Estate in 1890. McAlister’s Estate was eventually renamed to Engadine because it reminded the McAlister family of the Engadin Valley in Switzerland. The natural beauty that inspired the name change can still be seen in the local National parks. There is the Royal National park on the East side, and on the west side Heathcote National Park.

The change from open lands started when the land was subdivided by Charles McAlister in the early 1900’s. The area was then mainly used for grazing lands, but did become a popular place to escape from the inner-Sydney suburbs for camping and day-trips. Being located only 33 kilometres south of Sydney made it a quick get-away from the city. The shift from being a place to go and get away from the suburbs, to becoming a suburb began in 1920. The building of the railway station was largely responsible for that change. More people came to visit the area, fell in love with it and moved in.

This once beautiful land destined to be a park is now an enjoyable residential area. There is a light mix of commercial and light industrial areas. The Princess Highway and the railway station have the most concentration of the commercial areas located by them. That leaves most of this Southern Sydney suburb for living. Though there are expectations that the shopping centre will be expanding to better meet the needs of the areas residence. Like every successful residential area, it is growing and changing as it prospers. Nothing stays the same, not even as wonderful a place as Engadine. A place that started to be a park that now has parks within it.

The Great Barrier Reef attracts tourists from all over the world for various reasons. Most of them are great sea and wildlife enthusiasts, out to pay homage to the largest reef system in the planet. Others are there for mere adventure, what with the diverse plant, sea, and animal life found on the reef and in its surrounding islands. Others are there just to admire the beauty of the biggest coral reef system that is the Great Barrier Reef.

You don’t necessarily have to be the outdoorsy type to appreciate the Great Barrier Reef. If you don’t like scuba diving, there are glass bottom boats running in the area that ferry visitors who are not too good at swimming, but who would nonetheless want to experience the exhilarating beauty of the reef.

Where the Great Barrier Reef lies

The Great Barrier Reef can be found in the Coral Sea, which is off the coast of Australia’s Queensland. It was dubbed as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and was labeled as CNN’s 7 wonders of the world. Its obvious global popularity also made the Queensland National Trust turn it into a state icon.

Because it is the biggest single structure of living organisms on planet earth, the Great Barrier Reef can be clearly seen from outer space. All in all, is includes 2900 individual reefs, and a total of 900 islands which are impossible to explore in two weeks. You will really have to keep on coming back to get to know that Great Barrier Reef, and even then, every visit will give you a different experience.

Simply because it is a body of living organisms, the reef breathes into Australia’s seascape, providing visitors the added paunch in their summer vacations, and researchers a rich resource for all of their studies.

Finding your daytrips

You won’t be able to explore the Great Reef Barrier if you’re not part of a tourist daytrip. Tourist points for the Great Reef Barrier are found in Cairns and Whitsunday. Depending on what package you’re chosen, you should be taken to one of the Great Reef Barrier’s diving sites through a pontoon or a small boat. From there, you can choose to view coral gardens, go fishing, sun yourself, go scuba diving, and many more. The trip usually lasts for hours per activity, wrapped up by a delectable seafood lunch or dinner.

Remember that the Great Reef Barrier Marine Park is protected by the Queensland government and global environmental organizations. This means that while you may be allowed to fish in most parts of the region, your “catch” will be regulated to make sure that you don’t cause any imbalances in the reef’s natural population.

The best time to go to the reef

It’s best to pay the Great Reef Barrier a visit during the months of April, May, September and November. The waters in this area, probably owing to its location in the globe, remain warm almost all year round. It can get extremely hot during the summer, and slightly colder in the winter, but the area in the reef system generally remains warm and habitable all year round.

Tourists like to visit the Great Reef Barrier during Australia’s winter, because the water temperature during this time is more tolerable. It’s best for those who are planning to dive or go snorkeling to wear protective gears for the legs and feet. Remember that the wildlife of the reef tends to attract bigger fishes like the sting ray mantra, and exploring the reef barebacked and barelegged might not be such a good idea.

Ecosystem in the reef and its islands

If you’re the wildlife lover, and you’re tired of watching films about underwater life, you should go to the Great Barrier Reef for an actual tour around the world’s greatest reef system. Aside from vibrant coral system, you’ll also get the chance so meet sea creatures that may be endemic or migratory to the reefs.

Among the greatest mysteries of the sea is the green sea turtle. You can seldom see this marine turtle anywhere else except on Australian waters, including the Great Reef Barrier. Other sea turtles that can be found in the area include the hawksbill turtle, the flatback turtle, the leatherback sea turtle, and the olive ridley. Giant clams, nudibranchs, cone snails, and mollusks can also be found in this great coral system.

During specific times of the year, visitors can also be so lucky as to catch migratory dolphins making their way to the group of corals and islands. In the islands surrounding the coral reef system, one can observe as much as 215 species of birds. The islands also provide great lodgings, from rustic cabin type resorts to 5 star hotels. These places, like other places surrounding the Great Reef Barrier, celebrate the natural beauty of the region. As a visitor, you can expect guided tours through scuba diving or glass bottom boats across the best highlights of the reef.

Exploring the islands

After exploring the majestic diversity of the Great Reef Barrier, it’s always nice to explore its 900 surrounding islands. The most developed of these islands house five-star hotels and restaurants that can satisfy your craving for high class comfort and the best seafood dishes for your palate.

Whitsunday Islands

Among the most visited of the islands are the Whitsunday Islands. This makes up 74 of the 900 islands surrounding the gigantic coral reef system. The Long Island, one of the biggest of these 74 islands, showcases a national park, secluded beaches, dense bush areas, and dramatic headlands. This location is perfect for photo shoots, and daytrip treks. After admiring much of the beauty of the reef, visitors can also experience the divers animal life in these islands.

White Haven Beach

For total beach bums, the White Haven Beach is the perfect destination. It offers a pure, white sanded beach, which runs for about 9 kms, fringed by crystal clear salt waters and rich rain forests. To date, it is still among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The Hayman Island Resort, on the other hand, is located on the northernmost portion of Whitsunday islands. Although it is one of the smallest islands of the group, it is considered a sort of center. It’s accessible to all islands in the region, showcasing high class resorts with spacious pools and cocktail bars.

Coastal Towns of Queensland

You can’t miss the coastal towns of Queensland when you visit the Great Reef Barrier. After taking the guided tour underwater, the next thing you need to ask your tour guide is the way to Ayr, which is located on the northernmost part of Queensland.

Ayr showcases Australia’s most beautiful rivers, creeks, estuaries, and unspoiled mangroves. It is also Australia’s largest sugar and mango producing region, so you may expect delectable delicacies from the coastal town. The coastal town of Ayr is a mecca for windsurfers and water skiers. It is also a great place to go fishing and crabbing with your family and friends.

If you’re looking for sophistication, on the other hand, you should probably stop pitching your tents and go directly to Cairns. This city is also considered the “front door access” to Australia’s Reef, Outback and Rainforest. International restaurants and hotels line the city, and there are also art galleries and theaters available for entertainment. Casinos and botanical gardens are also available in Cairns, and the city reflects over 100 years of Queensland’s culture with its architecture.

The best tourist spot in the city of Cairns is probably the Esplanade, where families can go on picnics in the grassy area, and tourists and residents alike can enjoy sidewalk cafes that mingle with the city’s untouched natural beauty.

If you want to truly experience Australia’s rich environment, though, you should visit Cooktown. The city thrives in centuries of history, what with the first “white settlement” in Australia being established there. Cooktown is also home to the world’s most pristine beaches, with hidden gardens, tropical lagoons, and waterfalls lining its mountains.

Looking at the reef from the wide blue skies

Whoever said that you can only enjoy the reef from underwater? Visitors of the Great Reef Barrier can also choose to go on an on-air trip to view the coral reef system. The bird’s-eye-view also lets you preview the region’s numerous white sand beaches. Why stick to the map when you can go up to the sky and point out your dream destination?

You can choose either to go hot air ballooning, go on long range air tours, take scenic flights though helicopters, and more.

Hot air balloons usually take off from Cairns and end at Port Douglas. Hot air balloons aren’t available all year round, but they are pretty popular during hot air balloon festivals. You’ll be surprised at the majestic view of the Atherton Tablelands from your funky colored hot air balloon.

Long range air tours are also perfect if you truly want to explore the whole Great Reef Barrier. Long range air tours usually begin with a 12-day-tour through Queensland’s outback. You’ll also be flying over Dunk Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Lindeman Island, and Fraser Island.

Heli-scenic joy flights from Cairns are available all-year-round. All you have to do is go to the Pier Marketplace at Shangri-la Marina. The short scenic flight might not allow you an in depth study of the coral system’s flora and fauna, but it does make great photo opportunities possible for you and your group.

Planning the trip to the Great Reef Barrier

When you’re choosing your accommodations while you’re in your Great Barrier Reef tour, you need to think about several things: the activities you want to cover, the exact places you want to visit, and just how much you’re willing to spare for the trip.

Queensland is a great place for many things including scuba diving, lazing around the beach, windsurfing, hot air ballooning, snorkeling, and various other water sports. If it’s your first time in Queensland, you’ll probably cover more ground by going on a tour package, or several daytrips.

Make sure that you’re geared up and ready for all of the activities you’re planning to cover. For example, don’t even think about scuba diving if you don’t know the first thing about swimming. You might be in for risks greater than you’ve signed up for by diving for the coral reef system.

The hotel and/or resort you’ll be staying in will also depend on your budget, first and foremost, and the activities you want to go into. For example, if you’re planning to go scuba diving, you might want to make sure that the hotel or resort you’ll be staying in is close to the port. If you’re planning to view the Great Reef Barrier from the sky, a hotel in Cairns might be the better choice.

If your budget’s a little tight, you can probably sacrifice the five-star-hotel and choose accommodations that are a little lighter on the pocket. Queensland is a region of possibilities, and your Great Reef Barrier tour need not be just packaged in one particular way.

Gastronomic dishes found in Queensland

If there’s one thing you can enjoy though, no matter what kind of tour you’re in while you’re exploring the Great Reef Barrier, it is great seafood. Whether you’re ordering from a menu of the poshest digs in town, or a side street food shop that’s located right by the ports, you can always expect the freshest catches in this region.

You can take your pick of grills from octopuses to squids to parrot fishes and lobsters. It doesn’t really matter where you’re eating. Almost all restaurants around Queensland’s coastal tows offer great seafood dishes, and why shouldn’t they? They live right next door to the world’s biggest coral reef system after all.

When you’re in Queensland, and you’re exploring the rich wildlife, including the Great Coral Reef, all you really need to bring is enough appetite, for food, for water sporting activities, and for life in general.

Europe’s Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Africa’s Egypt has the Pyramids, and North America’s New York has the Statue of Liberty. Australia, on the other hand, has the Sydney Opera House, a performing arts center built in 1973 by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. Utzon received the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2003 for his works in architecture (mainly for the Sydney Opera House), and the citation he received for the award says why this particular structure is important. In the citation, the award-giving body says the Sydney Opera House serves not only the icon of a city and a country, but also of an entire continent. True to form, the Sydney Opera House is indeed Australia’s most recognizable and most iconic symbol—with some saying that the Sydney Opera House is “Australia” itself.

What makes the Sydney Opera House more astounding is how, with its less than 50 years in existence, it already managed to attain a statue comparable to that of older and more established man-made sites. The Statue of Liberty, for instance, is a symbol of the American-French alliance, while the Pyramids in Egypt are a sign and a testament to a particular time in Egyptian history. On the other hand, the Sydney Opera House, built during the 70s, is pale in comparison when it comes to deep history. However, it certainly does not pale when it comes to significance and importance. As proof, the UNESCO already included this structure in its World Heritage Site list, a list which includes older locations. More than its function, everything about the Sydney Opera House is a wonder, a colossal structure that represents Australia.

Modest intentions

For many, the fact that Australia’s most iconic structure was built by a Danish architect seems ironic. However, this only underscores the original intentions of the construction of this arts center. The intention and the plan to build a theater of considerable size began during the later parts of the 1940s, when English composer Eugene Goossens proposed for the construction of a suitable theatrical venue for large theater productions. The Sydney Town Hall was their usual venue for such productions, but this was not suitable for most productions, especially for those in a grander scale. Today, the area is surrounded by towering skyscrapers, making it unfit for such lavish productions. From the early 1900s to the mid 1900s, however, the Sydney Town Hall was only marked by the St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Of course, the Sydney Town Hall as a normal concert hall wasn’t exactly unusual, since this is a normal practice around the world, but it is perhaps Australia’s rich artistic and theatrical history that prompted Goossens to lobby for a fitting theater for the country.

Goossens lobbied the proposal to the New South Wales government, with the help of New South Wales Premier Joseph Cahill. The proposal was approved sometime during the 1950s, and Cahill organized a competition in search for a suitable design for what will be the Sydney Opera House. Launched in September of 1955, the competition garnered more than 200 entries from more than 30 countries. The criteria set for the competition was to design an opera house with 3000 seating capacity and a smaller hall with a 1200 capacity, with the rooms functioning for different types of theatrical performances—from opera to plays, from lectures to mass meeting. The winner was announced in 1957. Utzon’s design won which won him 5,000 Pounds.The first stage of the theater’s construction began in 1959.

Interestingly, two of the main proponents of the Sydney Opera House didn’t see through the end of the theater’s construction. First was Goossens, who died even before the Sydney Opera House was completed. A few years after his proposal, he was plagued by intrigues that ultimately ruined his credibility as a composer and conductor. This scandal involved his interest in the occult, which was then forbidden. This left him devastated and destroyed, and he died in 1962.

However, before his ultimate demise of his career, Goossens also became instrumental to what is now known as one of the Sydney Opera House’s trademarks. While Cahill wanted to build the theater near the Wynyard Railway Station, Goossens wanted to build the theater Bennelong Point, which overlooks the Sydney Harbor.

Modern design

It took almost 20 years to finish the entire Sydney Opera House. Although the technology then was already advanced even for an overwhelming structure such as the Sydney Opera House, the construction faced a number of road blocks. Part of what caused this delay is the design. However, perhaps what made the Sydney Opera House iconic to this day is its unbelievably exquisite design of the opera house. Utzon created a design that was diagrammatic, as the jurors of the competition said, but was not, in any way, practical or even conceivable during the time it was conceived. In fact, during the construction of the opera house’s podium, the team already stumbled upon their first problem—how to actualize Utzon’s creation. It took the architect around three years to finalize the design, causing the construction to be delayed for more than 40 weeks. By the time the podium of the Sydney Opera House was completed, the intended budget for the project was almost used up, and the structure was nowhere near from being built. In fact, the whole opera house was supposed to be done by 1963. However, only the podium was built by that year—and the construction had two more stages to go.

The second stage, the roof of the Sydney Opera House, took four years, from 1963 to 1967, mainly because of the elaborate but seemingly impossible design of Utzon. Again, the roof of the Sydney Opera House—particularly the “sails”—is another iconic signature, so it’s no surprise it took them so long to finish it. Utzon intended the sails of the structure to have an undefined geometry, but given time and budget constraints (as well as the plausibility of actually creating the original plan), he had to recreate his design. The solution they came up with: the shells that will be used as the sails of the roof will be created from sections of a sphere. With the use of a sphere, they were able to use casts of different lengths and sizes, all of them coming from the same mold. After the roof, the team started on the interiors.

It was during this time, in 1967, when the team came across another problem—the resignation of Utzon. In 1963, Utzon moved his office inside the Sydney Opera House, but the change of government in 1965 prompted him to leave the project. The new government was openly unsympathetic with the project, and rumors circulated that Robin William Askin would fire Utzon as soon as he assumed office. It was well known that Askin was no big fan of culture, arts, and architecture, which turned Utzon off, prompting him to leave. Askin’s critical view on the construction of the Sydney Opera House was not without basis—after all, even before the completion of the project, the cost of construction already exceeded twice the original budget.

Despite these problems, the Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973, and was opened formally by Queen Elizabeth II. A few weeks before the formal opening, the Opera House saw its first production: War and Peace by Sergei Prokofiev. Although Utzon was not credited during the opening, the Sydney Opera House Trust began to reconcile with Utzon during the late 1990s, which lead to the construction of the Utzon Room, finished in 2004.

Final product

Today, the Sydney Opera House seats more than two million audiences a year and it holds more than 3,000 events annually. The Sydney Opera House has a number of spaces, such as the main Concert Hall, with more than 2,000 seats. Later during the construction, the new team sans Utzon wanted to make the hall a 3,000-seat affair, but the plan was discarded since it would destroy the room’s acoustics. Two other popular spaces in the theater are the Opera Theater (with more than 1,500 seats) and the Drama Theater (with more than 500 seats). Additional rooms that were added in the original plan are small spaces, such as the Playhouse, the Studio, and the Utzon Room. The Utzon Room has 210 seats, and has the distinction of being the only interior in the structure designed by Utzon. The Forecourt, on the other hand, is an open-air venue. Besides the usual theatrical performances, operas, ballet performances, and others, the Sydney Opera House is also a popular venue for renowned lectures and events.

Today, the Sydney Opera House is seen as an example of expressionist architecture. Expressionism is marked by the distortion of standard form as a means to attain a specific emotional effect (such as the shells on the opera house’s roof). An expressionist architecture is also not confined to one single concept, which makes it new and original. Obviously, The Sydney Opera House fits these categories.

Artistic legacy

From the simple desire to have an adequate performance hall to a behemoth of a structure, the Sydney Opera House may be famous for its striking design and size, but its influence is more than just due to architecture and physical beauty. The Sydney Opera House is noted for its influence in Australia’s performing arts.

For one, the Sydney Opera House is home to a number of world-renowned theater companies, such as the famous Sydney Theatre Company. This theater company, in turn, was and is home to a number of popular and esteemed actors of today, including Geoffrey Rush and Hugo Weaving. The current artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company is Oscar Award winning actress Cate Blanchett, with husband Andrew Upton as co-director. This is added prestige to the already esteemed company and the opera house that holds their performances—not that they need the additional press or publicity. Besides the Sydney Theater, the Sydney Opera House is also home to the Australian Ballet, the Australia Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble Theater, and the famed Bell Shakespeare Company. This theater company is known for being provocative with their texts and their performances, using contemporary styles rather than classical ones despite tackling creations by Shakespeare (as well as other older materials).

This isn’t surprising at all, since Australia’s artistic heritage is deep and varied. This is mainly because the government funds most of the performing arts companies in the country. As the list of performing companies in the Sydney Opera House also demonstrates, almost all the performing arts are covered in Australia—opera, dance, drama, and others. This is perhaps the reason why a number of esteemed actors in Hollywood today are natives of Australia. A number of them received training from these groups, and maybe some of them have even performed in the Sydney Opera House. Regardless, the list of actors from Australia is an eminent an admirable list, which includes Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe, Toni Collette, Nicole Kidman, and Hugh Jackman. Jackman is a good example of how Australia’s love for theater can foster talent. As a theater actor, appearing in a number of stage productions in Melbourne, Jackson saw acclaim in London’s West End (their equivalent to New York’s Broadway). This isn’t to include other mainstream actors who became popular worldwide thanks to the training they got in Australia’s performing arts scene.

This is merely a glimpse on how the construction of the Sydney Opera House made a huge difference in Australia’s art and performing arts scene. Without it, who could tell what difference it would make to the Australia’s cultural heritage? And beyond that, who could say what architecture would be without the Sydney Opera House? This iconic Australian performing center is more than just an opera house—it has revolutionized how and what people think of and about design. Sydney Opera House broke the rules, and it has influenced a number of structures after it. With the achievement and influence of the Sydney Opera House, it certainly deserves to be Australia’s representation to the world.

Australia is among the most visited countries in the world, and is also among the countries that earned top revenue due to tourism. However, it is an unknown fact that Australia is an underdog when it comes to worldwide tourism. This is said because the country’s natural beauty and its attractions are not utilized to the fullest, judging from the places in the country that are favorites by a considerable number of serious travelers, but not by the general public. Of course, this fact has some advantages; for one, the residents of the country do not have to worry about ruining their natural resources due to tourism. But it is such a shame, especially for those who are already in Australia, to not see the entire beauty of this country.

Among the underappreciated areas of Australia is the Whitsunday Islandsis Queensland. This is actually an island group—an island named Whitsunday is also part of this island group (it is actually the biggest among the islands) and is a popular destination amongst overnight sailors and day visitors. The beauty of the Whitsunday islands is astounding; something that many say they do not think could exist on this planet. The sand of the Whitehaven Beach of the Whitsunday Island is pure-white, and the waters of the beach is clear blue. The water is vibrant..

One of the islands that make up this group is the Long Island. And one of the rare establishments in this area is the Long Island Resort. This resort is popular among traveling enthusiasts because of its surreal beauty. Imagine the beaches and the lush greeneries of the Whitsunday islands—practically virginal, as if untouched by human hands—serving as the backdrop of this resort. Surely, no resort can go wrong with this combination. In fact, this is perhaps one of the major drams of the Long Island Resort. Although its services, amenities, and accommodations are comparable to the best hotels in the country, the Long Island resort is no prominent among online hotel review sites. But do not be fooled by its lack of prominence, as the Long Island Resort is just as worthy as the pristine beaches of the Whitsunday. The Long Island Resort is perfect for any type of occasions and celebrations—from parties to weddings; the island is such a marvel that it fits any type of need.

The rooms of the Long Island Resort are all facing the beachfront, set only a few meters from the beach. This makes the perfect location to view the sunset, a romantic addition to the already perfect set-up. All rooms have private balconies (the view would be a waste without it, after all), as well as all the typical hotel features (television, refrigerator, and Internet access, among others).

Just like most topnotch resorts, Long Island resort has a spa that offers massages for the guests. The resort also offers cruises and island tours. This is a perfect way to enjoy the area, as the Whitsunday island group is composed of several islands. The best way to see them is to join a cruise or island tour, which the staff on the front desk would be happy to facilitate for the guests. As for dining, The Long Island resort has the Palms Restaurant that serves meals all day long. And added bonus is the Kid Care service of the resort. This works like a babysitting service (free of charge for hotel guests) so the adults can enjoy the beauty of the island without worrying about their children.

It is a wonder why the Long Island Resort has been under the radar for so long. But just like the Whitsunday islands, the Long Island Resort is slowly building momentum because of its beauty and topnotch service.

Average Price: $235

The description “hidden gem” can be considered an overused term when it comes to tourism. This pertains to locales, areas, and places that are supposedly not properly appreciated by the people. It is either they do not attract the same attention as places with equal or lesser beauty or their beauty is not fully discovered or utilize. Perhaps this “hidden gem” term is used to often that it has already lost its luster; but there are times when it still holds true. For instance, Australia is full of hidden tourist gems. These places attract a substantial group of tourists, but rarely beyond those who know about the place because they are learned travelers. One such place in Australia is the Hayman Island resort.

The epitome of an actual hidden gem, the Hayman Island Resort is located in the Great Barrier Reef. This is located off the Queensland coast and is known the world over for being the largest single structure created by living organisms. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and is named as among the seven natural wonders by CNN. But the Great Barrier Reef, as anyone could have guessed from the description, is no hidden gem (although a gem nonetheless). In fact, it generates billions of Australian dollars thanks to tourism revenue.

The Hayman Island Resort, on the other hand, is a hidden gem because it is billed as a private resort. It has already received praises from the press not just in Australia but internationally as well. The resort says it among the most renowned private island resort in the country. This claim is true, as the only way to reach the resort is through their on transportation service. Guests can either ride Hayman’s seaplanes, helicopters, and launches to reach the resort. Hayman Island resort has 212 guest rooms, penthouses, suites—and a beach villa. All the buildings and the structures in the resort are no higher than four stories, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The entire resort is spacious to further the cozy and homey feel of the resort. The rooms have the same philosophy, although they offer something that differs from the usual resorts. All rooms have different niches—for instance, there is the Pool Wing (with Pool Access and Pool Rooms), for those who want to enjoy the resort’s swimming pool. Of special note is the Retreat Wing, with rooms that face the resort’s secluded gardens instead of the beach or the pool (perfect for guests who want privacy, such as couples on a honeymoon).

One should not leave Hayman’s Island Resort even without trying their renowned spa center. Their Spa Chakra Hayman is said to be one of Australia’s premier spa destinations (if not the only premier spa destination in the country), and it certainly does not disappoint. Their programs and selections are tailored to fit anyone and everyone, and their services and facilities (a comprehensive spa program, several treatment rooms, a meditation suite, state of the art saunas and steam rooms, a hair salon, and other similar programs). Also not to be missed are the restaurants and bars of Hayman’s Island Resort.

Reviews of the resort claim that guests will feel as if they do not have to lift a finger during their stay at the Hayman’s Island Resort—they will only feel completely relaxed and pampered. Obviously, from all these features and services, that isn’t far from the truth. After all, Hayman’s Island Resort has everything going for it: an exclusive location, an amazing backdrop, and world-class services and amenities. If Hayman’s Island Resort cannot be considered as a hidden gem, then no other hotel or resort can be classified as such.