Hotel review: Elysian Retreat, Whitsundays

It’s the first 100 per cent solar-powered resort on the Great Barrier Reef and the newest to be built in the Whitsundays for years. But does Elysian Retreat stand up to its sustainability claims?

Details

Long Island, Whitsundays

The Vibe

Contemporary, classy, coastal chic punctuated with sandy tans and Whitsunday blues with a splash of high-end hippie. Boasting plump couches coupled with plenty of wicker, cane and hanging chairs and hammocks, plus thatched roofs and timber floors and walls, it’s a blend between Fijian feels and Queenslander cottages here.

There are only 10 villas, all offering ocean, mountain and rainforest views, and paramount privacy.

Quirky Features

The giant hollow tree trunks fashioned into lamps in the rooms and bedside tables made out of blocks of timber. There’s no keys to the rooms at this relaxed resort and no telephones in your rooms either, you simply blow a whistle if you need to attract attention. Swinging chairs at the bar are a fun addition.

The Eco Ethos

The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival is the paddock of solar panels at the south of the resort. Thatching on the roofs has reduced temperatures by 10 degrees, while high cathedral ceilings draw the heat away and upwards inside.

Water is captured in 500,000 litres of rain tanks and is triple treated here for maximum usage. Guests are gently reminded that water is a precious commodity on the island. There are set meal times to capitalise on the solar power and in the kitchen itself, the dishwasher is only used once a day, and the sink twice a day, to conserve water. Inside the rooms, guests have access to ethical zinc sunscreen, natural bug spray and organic tea.

Guests are gently reminded about the retreats eco ethos

The Luxe Factor

Despite its commitment to the environment, this resort does not scrimp on luxury, with all rooms offering fans, air-conditioning, televisions, coffee machines and mini-bars stocked with Australian beer and wine.

Bathroom amenities in refillable containers are also eco but elegant with mint and spiked ginger lily shampoo and conditioner; Himalayan cedar wood body lotion; tulasi and wild turmeric body wash; and aura protection body mist. Indulge in either an indoor or private outdoor shower under the stars. Wi-fi is coming but in the meantime, those with Telstra 4G access have coverage in the main restaurant area and, at times, in their rooms.

The Food

The all-inclusive package includes three gourmet meals daily, plus a cocktail and canapés before dinner, and high-end wine paired with each dinner course. Vegetables and herbs are plucked straight from the island’s own herb garden and food is sourced from surrounding farm regions such as Bowen.

Executive chef Joshua Beckett operates a daily changing menu by using the best ingredients available and pairing them with the preferences of guests. Feast on the likes of red emperor caught straight from the surrounding Coral Sea for dinner, or a healthy breakfast bowl designed to resemble the aqua ocean and surrounding mountains.

Once a week, there’s also a chef’s table for guests in which shared food platters are served and on your last night, the chef will prepare you a ‘last supper’ of your favourite foods.

Vegetables and herbs are plucked straight from the island’s own herb garden

Executive chef Joshua Beckett operates a daily changing menu

The Spa

There’s a small but gorgeous day spa here with a variety of interesting therapies such as Crystal Healing and Sacred Stone. Guests can also indulge in longer spa treatment Elysian Journeys which pay homage to its sensational surrounds such as the Island Bliss, Ocean Rhythm and Island Dreaming treatments.

Things to do

Bathe in the magnesium pool to relieve stress and detoxify and energise the body; join the free daily yoga session at 7am overlooking the ocean or partake in a paid private yoga session; take a bush walk; organise a day trip to another island; and indulge in unlimited use of water sport equipment including snorkelling gear, SUPs and glass-bottom kayaks. Or simply hang in a hammock and read, relax and revel in having this piece of paradise all to yourself.

Brickbats

The prevailing trade wind in the Whitsundays is a south-easterly and despite being in a protected cove, this resort still sits at the southern end of Long Island, which means you can be exposed to windy weather. There’s also a rocky beach here which makes access to the water a little difficult.

Bouquets

This resort lives up to its sustainability claims, trying to conserve water and energy at every opportunity, without compromising on guest luxury. The service is extremely personalised from this Queensland family-owned company and is reflected in everything from your greeting on arrival to your daily chats with the chef about your dining preferences.

Getting There

Perched on Long Island, you arrive either via a small boat from Airlie Beach’s Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island, or by helicopter from Hamilton or Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine). There are regular flights from Australia’s east coast capitals to either Hamilton Island or Proserpine airports from which transfers are readily available.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.