Australia may be the world’s biggest island, but citizens of its six states and two territories will tell you how different each region is. Along its coastline, hundred of smaller islands offer guests the opportunity to dive into the country’s unique land and sea life, while getting a glimpse of its distinctive local customs and communities. Accommodation at any of these five resorts will highlight a special part of Aussie hospitality:
1. Hotel Rottnest, Rottnest Island, Western Australia – “Rotto”, as the locals call it, is a small community located off of Perth and Freemantle. First inhabited over 6,500 years ago, the island’s blend of Aboriginal and European history makes it an ‘A’ Class Reserve. Guests must pay an entry fee to this protected site, which is included in the cost of a ferry from the mainland. Once on the island, guests can swim and snorkel in its clear waters or wander the walking trails in search of the indigenous quokka. This cute marsupial inspired Hotel Rottnest’s nickname, the “Quokka Arms.” Bookings for a room with a sea view over Thompson Bay begin around 300 AUD, with the option to add on a bottle of Australian wine as a welcoming beverage.
2. Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort, Kangaroo Island, South Australia – Over 4,000 Australians call Kangaroo Island, or “KI”, home; so, visitors will be surprised by a thriving social, cultural and entertainment community in the islands main towns. Due to its size and relative isolation from the mainland, Kangaroo Island is also home to a range of unique flora and fauna – from Tammar wallabies to koalas and sea lions – and over one-third of the island is Conservation or National Park land. Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort is built in Penneshaw, with 12 seafront rooms booking at a rate of 245 AUD a night. Guests can take in the panoramic view from their private balcony, join an eco-tour to learn more about the island’s unusual wildlife or sample the local delicacies: King George whiting, sheep’s cheeses, honey and a range of experimental wines.
3. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Queensland – The Whitsundays are a string of 74 tropical islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef. Besides the distinction of being part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qualia has the additional recognition of being “Best Resort in the World for 2012” by the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards. The luxury resort’s name is Latin for “a collection of deeper sensory images”, something guests will find as they relax under a drenching yellow sun, or swim in perfect indigo waters. With exclusive access to Pebble Beach, guests can enjoy some of the island’s best snorkeling, swimming and tanning spots. If that’s not enough isolation, the resort offers boat drop-offs to private beaches on other nearby islands, as well as personal use of kayaks and catamarans. The spa also uses a range of natural Australian products to rejuvenate guests. Rates begin at 975 AUD for a room in the Leeward Pavilion and range up to 3650 for booking the hidden Beach House.
4. Crab Claw Island Resort, Crab Craw Island, Northern Territory – Territorians are proud of their no-frills state, settled by remote Aboriginal communities, cattle stations and Outback pioneers. Crab Claw may not have the pretty name or popularity of a Whitsunday island, but it offers guests a chance to experience a different side of Australian resort hospitality. Elevated cabins connect to a stilted restaurant by forested walkways. Enjoy menu meals in the open dining area; or, for those with a lucky fishing rod, the chef will prepare your own catch for dinner. Surrounded by nature, guests can fish, go mud crabbing, bush walking or bird watching from their private room balconies. Accommodation choices include a beach-front cabin, or hideaway retreat cabin in the palm garden. Contact the resort directly for booking inquiries and quotes.
5. Arajilla Resort, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales – Natural relaxation is the concept surrounding this eco-sensitive spa and resort. With limited wifi availability and abundant environmental distractions, Arajilla is a haven for nature lovers and bird watchers. 14 types of seabirds migrate here to breed, and the island is home to over 130 species, including the endangered Lord Howe Island woodhen. If guests prefer the sea to the sky, they can participate in fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming activities. Accommodation for tourists is limited by the island’s 400 beds, making it a stay even more exclusive. Yoga courses, spa treatments, picnic baskets and bicycles are a just a few of the guest benefits. Arajailla is family owned and operated, with off-peak reservations starting at 615 AUD.
Kelli Mutchler left a small, Midwest American town to prove that Yanks can, and do, chose alternative lifestyles. On the road for five years now, Kelli has tried news reporting and waitressing, bungy jumping and English teaching. Currently working with Burmese women refugees in Thailand, she hopes to pursue a MA in Global Development. Opportunities and scenes for international travel are encouraged on her blog, www.toomutchforwords.com.
