InterContinental Hayman Island Resort: a new era in luxury

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Whitsundays, iconic private island experiences and sacred moments of connection with family and friends at the new InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort welcomed a new era in luxury after launching on 1 July 2019. Heli-tours over Heart Reef, basking in infinity pools, snorkelling alongside green turtles, indulging in culinary artistry and soulful spa treatments are just the beginning at this idyllic, luxury island resort in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

See the icons

Nestled at the northernmost point of Australia’s Whitsunday archipelago on a two-kilometre crescent-shaped stretch of stunning white-sand beach, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort places you moments away from Langford Island, Bali Hai, Blue Pearl Bay and Hook Island, and gives you direct access to the reef’s icons thanks to exclusive partnerships with Ocean Dynamics and Helireef . Spend the day diving or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or take a signature day tour to Whitehaven Beach where you can leave footprints on some of the world’s whitest sand.

The Ocean Dynamics suite of signature experiences includes Sea Scooter underwater tours, guided jet-ski adventures, a range of diving experiences, glass-bottom boat cruises around Hayman Island’s bays and more. A collection of luxury vessels are also available for sunset sails, island escapades and private charters. Alternatively, explore the Whitsunday Islands by air on a private helicopter tour with Helireef.

Helireef, Whitsundays — explore the Whitsunday Islands by air on a private helicopter tour with Helireef.

Redefining luxury

Envisioned by DBI Designs, DAARC and KY Design, the resort seamlessly blends sophisticated ocean-facing accommodation with lush garden sanctuaries, spectacular pools, panoramic seascapes and tropical gardens. Three distinct wings of guest rooms, suites and villas hug the island coastline, allowing guests to choose their own experience: the Lagoon wing offers garden vistas and lily-padded inlets; the Pool wing overlooks the iconic Hayman Pool with swim-out access available; and the Beach wing is home to eight exclusive beachfront villas and retreats, and the resort’s premium Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House .

Each of the 168 rooms are a perfect balance of intuitive design – including state-of-the-art energy-conserving suite control – and impeccable taste and furnishings. The premium suite collection is accented by the new Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House and two Hayman Residences designed by multi-award-winning architect Kerry Hill.

Hayman Residences, Hayman Island — The double-storey Hayman Residences are perched on the island’s picturesque hilltop, providing absolute privacy from the resort.

The Three Bedroom Hayman Beach House boasts modern design-led interiors with open-living including a private dining and living room, outdoor alfresco entertaining areas and private pool access in each stunning bedroom. The double-storey Hayman Residences don’t disappoint, either. Perched on the island’s picturesque hilltop, they provide absolute privacy from the resort without sacrificing access to the resort’s facilities.

Action-packed island experiences

There’s plenty to keep you entertained in each wing, including two iconic swimming pools, Hayman Beach and the adults’-only Coconut Beach. Improve your serve on the court with a lesson courtesy of the resort’s pro tennis coach, or check out the state-of-the art gym facilities and classes, dedicated water activities centre, fishing vessels or golf simulator. For a little pampering, visit Hayman Hair Salon or indulge in a bespoke Sodashi treatment in one of 11 treatments rooms before sinking into the Spa Oasis’s plunge pool and sauna.

Little ones can discover an island paradise of their own in the world-class InterContinental Planet Trekkers Kids Club. The Club’s daily program of activities is designed to connect little InterContinental travellers (between the ages of four and 12) to the beauty of the Whitsundays and their island location – think seashell painting, sandcastle-making and water bucket relays. On-island babysitting services are also available for parents indulging in a private dining experience, spa treatment or island escapade.

Distinct dining with a local flavour

You’ll find an eclectic mix of gastronomic experiences and local flavours on the island, including the resort’s signature restaurant and bar Pacific, as well as poolside bar Aqua, Amici Trattoria, Bam Bam and Grove Boutique & Cafe. The latter is Hayman’s all-new daytime eatery and mecca of luxury retail brands, souvenirs and holiday essentials that would be right at home in the Hamptons. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with a view at Pacific’s ocean-facing dining room or indulge in its premium seafood buffet on Tuesday and Friday nights as the sun sets. Amici Trattoria is the island’s modern Italian option.

Bam Bam, Hayman Island — Bam Bam is just one of the gastronomic experiences you can have on the island.

The resort also offers a collection of private dining experiences, inviting guests to dine under the stars at Hayman Beach and Coconut Beach, in private cabanas or beachside hideaways on the island, or at nearby islands with a gourmet picnic in tow.

A commitment to sustainability

Safeguarding and protecting the island and its neighbouring reef ecosystems was an important part in the island’s refurbishment. From supplying guests with environmentally-friendly, reef-safe We Are Feel Good Inc. products, to offering complimentary, reusable water bottles to be refilled at filtered water stations around the resort, to a ban on single-use plastics, this commitment to the environment has evolved to become part of the guest experience. The resort has also invested in equipment that recycles glass bottles for use in the garden and committed to reducing paper waste with the introduction of in-room iPads in lieu of printed compendiums.

Discover the visceral beauty of InterContinental Hayman Island Resort and leave feeling transformed. For more information about the resort and to book, please contact our reservations team on +61 07 5501 9992 or Hayman.reservations@ihg.com . Alternatively, visit the website for more information.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

Hayman Island: a new era in luxury