DELAWARE NORTH

It begins with a special place. Beautiful, natural and wild, the most northern Great Barrier Reef resort, Lizard Island is a place reserved for the fortunate few.Constantly ranked as one of the top hotels of the world, Lizard Island has 24 white sand beaches, undisturbed but for the occasional footprints. Snorkelling, deep-sea game fishing or diving at The Cod Hole, one of the world famous dive sites just a short boat ride away are just some of the activities on offer. Enjoy secluded picnics on private beaches, five-star cuisine and indulging spa treatments. The Deal: Three night Lizard Interlude offer...

A gentleman called Mr Lovecraft once came to Australia. He’d travelled all the way from Hollywood, in search of respite from his legions of screaming fans and a doggedly-persistent paparazzi. He found what he was looking for, when he got here: one of the world’s most discreet destinations, Lizard Island. If you’ve never heard of Mr Lovecraft, well – that’s the point. A far cry from flashy cousins Hayman and Hamilton, Lizard is the definition of low-profile; a place of creamy beaches and white daybeds, where the well-heeled and world-famous come to retreat from the world. Despite its remote location,...

Where is it?   Coolibah Drive near Kununurra, in The Kimberley, 830km south-west of Darwin   How to see it for yourself? This stunning view was taken on board an El Questro scenic flight. The experience takes visitors above the homestead in an open-door helicopter ride, over the Cockburn Ranges andthrough the Pentecost and (pictured) Chamberlain Gorges. A 30-minute scenic tour starts at $280 per person. Why I love it “The amazing contrast of the Chamberlain River with the rugged landscape of the Cockburn Ranges in the background – simply breathtaking.” – Joseph Boulos, Delaware North Australia Parks and Resorts Image...

We countdown the ultimate Australian destinations where you can really unwind and indulge - #3 Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD  03 LIZARD ISLAND Great Barrier Reef, Qld TOP CAPACITY: There are 40 suites with a maximum of 80 guests. WHAT TO EXPECT Look up “idyllic luxury island resort” in the dictionary and it should simply state: Lizard Island, 290km north of Cairns. A keyless resort without mobile reception, TV or wi-fi in rooms means you’re immediately immersed in holiday mode, ready or not. The original luxury island resort in Australia, Lizard has a great heritage. The island was named...

We countdown the ultimate Australian destinations where you can really unwind and indulge - #2 El Questro Homestead, The Kimberly, NT 02 EL QUESTRO HOMESTEAD The Kimberley, WA TOP CAPACITY: A maximum of just 12 guests can stay here at any one time (there are just six rooms). WHAT TO EXPECT A single-storey timber homestead clings to the side of the private, picturesque Chamberlain Gorge in the Kimberley, just near the start of the Gibb River Road, 110km from Kununurra. Like any great resort, El Questro has a pool fringed by sun loungers, a sociable and stylish communal area of...

Where is it? 70km north-west of Gladstone, Qld It’s a better class of castaway who washes up on Wilson Island, though they might resent being rescued at the end of their sojourn. It has everything you’d want from a desert island – including catering. A gentle emerald sea filled with brightly coloured fish surrounds this tiny coral cay, the nesting spot of green turtles. The accommodation comprises six safari-style tents, already set up for no more than 12 guests, and there’s a communal longhouse where meals are served. Sunshine, peace and nature: need we say more?  ...

The outback is drawing us in like moths to a big ochre flame. It speaks to our sense of identity and nationhood. In the ’80s and ’90s, Australia was characterised by our beaches and cities; 2011 and beyond will be all about the outback. We have an insatiable appetite for the outback with the Kimberley and Top End our most visited destinations. The gloss has not been lost and the Kimberley adventure remains one of the greatest motivating domestic trips for Australians wanting to tap into the uniqueness of our land. The new owners of El Questro and the Ayers...

The luxury lodge is the new black of Australian travel – their time has truly come. The resort experience has been superseded as discerning travellers or exhausted couples in need of rejuvenation seek out the privacy, guest-only activities and indulgence of boutique luxury lodges. While a high-end resort packs in the rooms with relative luxury, the lodge experience goes so much further. Similar to the well-established luxury lodges of NZ and South Africa, the Australian luxury lodge is about the local environment, access to exclusive experiences, privacy and world-class service. The early pioneers of the luxury lodges of Australia were El...