InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef marks its 75th anniversary in style.
InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is marking its 75th anniversary year with an exclusive dining experience led by hatted chef Lennox Hastie on 17 July. Guests will dine under the stars on the sugar-white sands of Hayman Island for the bespoke five-course feast, which will be paired with The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.
Hastie says the pop-up kitchen will emulate the fire-cooking techniques on show at his hatted restaurant Firedoor, which opened in Sydney a decade ago.
Chef Lennox Hastie melds together traditional cooking techniques and natural ingredients.
The chef also has Gildas, a wine bar inspired by his stint at Asador Etxebarri in San Sebastian, which is ranked as No. 2 on the World’s 50 Best. Hastie learned how to master the barbecue in the Basque region of Spain and says he’s looking forward to sharing this “primal and immersive experience".
Hastie says cooking is always about context, “the environment and the climate shaping not just what we cook, but how we cook".
“While we have been patiently ageing some beef in The Balvenie whisky for the last 300 days, some of the dishes will celebrate fish from the reef, and tropical fruits like pineapple and finger lime as well as native succulents," says Hastie.
The pop-up kitchen is set in the picturesque Hayman Island.
In addition to its series of culinary collaborations, InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is offering a series of dedicated events and experiences throughout 2025, including: a History Room showcasing Hayman’s origins as a fishing club in the 1930s; and a 75th anniversary Travel Offer starting from $525 per night. There’s also a Fashion Partnership where guests can book their wedding at the resort and receive a Vera Wang gown worth $10,000.
Hastie says the natural setting of Hayman Island is the perfect backdrop for his fire-driven philosophy. The resort’s recent renaming highlights the island’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, which Hastie says he feels a personal connection to.
“The Great Barrier Reef is a place where nature’s raw power and fragility coexist. It’s where I learnt to scuba dive, which I find an incredible escape, and I often find myself cooking on its beaches. My father is originally from Queensland, and one of his relatives, Ernest Bauer, once owned nearby South Molle Island, where one of the bays is still named after the family."
InterContinental Hayman’s allure is timeless.
Hastie says he has sourced “beautiful reef fish" from the waters off Hayman from local fishermen. Hastie says “storytelling and connection" will be at the heart of the 17 July event, where he will push the boundaries of cooking over fire, which he showcases in the Netflix series Chef’s Table: BBQ.
“The Balvenie has always been deeply committed to traditional craft, which resonates with the way that I cook over fire. Bringing this philosophy to Hayman Island felt like an opportunity to create a magical dining experience in one of Australia’s most spectacular locations."
“Guests will see, smell, and hear the crackle of wood and the subtle dance of fire as we celebrate ingredients. I hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for the craft behind what’s on their plate and in their glass: the years that it takes to produce a cask of The Balvenie whisky, and the care and the detail involved in cooking with fire," he says.
Hastie says he believes special events like this one-of-a-kind dinner highlight the richness and diversity of Australian produce and landscapes. “It is an invitation to visit our country and celebrate our unique regional stories," he says.
Lennox is committed to advocating for his fire-driven culinary philosophy.
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Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.
Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.
Day 1
Morning
Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.
Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.
We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.
After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.
Afternoon
Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)
After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.
After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.
Evening
Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)
There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.
Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.
We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.
Day 2
Morning
Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)
A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.
If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.
Afternoon
Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)
For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.
We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.
Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.
Evening
Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.
Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.
Day 3
Morning
Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.
The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.
Afternoon
Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)
No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.
If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.
Evening
Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)
Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.
Getting there
Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.
