Queensland’s favourite race week is turning 40, and the celebrations will be so much more than just superyachts.
You would be forgiven for assuming that a sailing race was simply that: a sailing race. But in the case of the 40th anniversary of Hamilton Island Race Week , you’d be wrong. During this week-long festival, guests can settle in for star chefs, exceptional food and wine and more celebrations (and yes, sailing races) all with the idyllic Hamilton Island as a backdrop.
“Race Week’s 40th anniversary is a landmark moment," said CEO of Hamilton Island, Nick Dowling. “What began as a simple sailing competition has become a spectacle of sail racing, culinary excellence and island fun. It’s not just about sailing the most picturesque course in the world – it’s about celebrating everything that makes Hamilton Island so special – world-class experiences, a vibrant food and wine scene and the incredible atmosphere and camaraderie that events like Race Week bring to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef."
Settle in for a candlelit dinner with live music. (Image: Lean Timms)
Running from 16 to 23 August, Hamilton Island Race Week is set to be the ultimate event for foodies. Join the La Dolce Vita Lunch by the Sea with Will Cowper for an indulgent modern-Italian lunch set on Pebble Beach. Keep the Italian treats going at An Italian Evening with Tanqueray, where guests will chow down on coastal cuisine with Tanqueray gin to wash it down. Graze on gourmet delights and sip champagne with live music setting the vibe at The Island Welcome: Beachfront Garden Party at Catseye Beach. Budding sommeliers will love Wine Stories with Larry Cherubino at Bommie, where they can join an exclusive wine tasting with one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers (and yes, they’ll get some to take home, too).
Dine on Pebble Beach in front of qualia.
Then, the pièce de résistance events are The Sundays Long Lunch with Josh Niland at The Sundays hotel signature restaurant, and a special beachside dinner under the stars – a four-course coastal feast on Catseye Beach, paired with Whipbird wines. Sign us up.
Between eating, get front row to watch the superyachts, get out on a superyacht yourself – don’t worry, not for racing. Instead, you’ll spend the day snorkelling, slipping down inflatable slides and snacking on gourmet food.
Make the most of everything that’s happening with the Hamilton Island Ultimate Race Week Package . In a nutshell, you can book a three-night stay at qualia and get so much more. A two-hour cruise to experience the action of the regatta, daily breakfast, use of a golf buggy to get around, and so much more are included.
Take your own superyacht to get close to the action. (Image: Salty Dingo)
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.
This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.
Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa
Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.
Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)
In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.
Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.
Refuel at Park & Cove.
Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg
Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.
After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.
Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)
Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton
Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.
Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.
Take it all in at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Image: TEQ)
Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay
Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.
Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.
Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)
Day 6: Mackay to Townsville
Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.
Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.
Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)
Day 7: Townsville to Cairns
After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.
Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.
No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.
Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.
Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.
