Hayman: The Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef

Hayman is a world class island resort offering luxury 5 star accommodation, a range of free activities, wellness-orientated spa treatments and unique culinary experiences. 

Hayman

An extensive restoration in 2010 has seen the development of Beach Villas, each with their own private plunge pool. Relax on your balcony on a day bed overlooking the Coral Ocean while enjoying the exclusive Beach Butler service. 

Beach Villa, Hayman

All other rooms still provide wonderful views from their balconies and the lovely Pool Access rooms give you effortless access to the Hayman Pool from your private balcony.

Pool Access Room, Hayman

The dining options on Hayman extend from the beach views and contemporary buffet breakfast at Azure restaurant to the casual bar menu at Beach Pavilion, the Italian and Mediterranean style La Trattoria to the Asian specialist Oriental and Australia’s signature resort restaurant Fontaine.  

Azure Restaurant, Hayman 

Dining options continue with Hayman’s signature experience – The Chefs Table. This is a weekly event hosted by the island’s top chefs, where guests participate in the gourmet experience backstage, learning the food pairing concepts and conversing with over guests over carefully selected wines. Finally don’t miss the chocolate room and kitchen tour – a behind the scenes experience to Hayman’s popular Chocolate Room.

Oriental

Activities on the island cover romantic desert island escapes to family activities including the Hayman Kids Club ranger program. To enjoy the surrounding Great Barrier Reef book a cruise or scenic plane flight to the outer reef where you can enjoy some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving.

Hayman Pool

Hayman Spa offers guest more than pampering, it has an extensive menu of wellness-oriented treatments to compliment the traditional favourites. Each treatment is programmed to indulge the senses, restore and rejuvenate. Couple treatment rooms are available plus a vichy shower, sauna, steam rooms and the popular ocean massage. 

Ocean Massage, Hayman

For this signature experience a floating massage table is taken out to waist depth water for a floating massage in calm water surrounded by tropical fish. 

Hiring a Yacht in the Whitsundays - What You Need To Know

Think chartering a own yacht to explore the 74 islands of the Whitsundays is a pipe dream? Think again. Imagine skippering the yacht to a romantic deserted beach for a picnic or sunset stroll, dropping anchor for a spot of snorkelling or fishing in the morning sun. Sunlover Holidays are the experts of Skipper Yourself yacht hire, we can talk you through every stage of the process including advice on which vessels will suit you best.

Sunsail Catamaran

What You Need To Know

Sailing Experience

You will need some experience at the helm of a yacht, but maybe not as much as you would expect. Although the larger vessels require high level of experience there are smaller vessels that may suit a beginner and all operators provide a comprehensive hands-on briefing before you set sail. If you feel you need guidance on the first day then you may hire a sail guide who will show you the ropes on day one and get you on your way. Don’t worry – you’re not alone on the seas, your charter company is available for radio contact daily for professional advice.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht

Equipment

Boats come fully equipped so there is no need to bring bedding, galley gear or snorkelling equipment. Most vessels are also charted out with a ‘basic essentials’ kit that includes sponges, matches, detergent, inspect repellent, garbage bags, toilet paper and guest soap. 

Queensland Yacht Charters - Fountaine Pajot

Optional Extras

If you prefer to relax on your holidays you can hire a skipper and cook to take care of all your chartering and dining needs. The operators also make your holiday easy by offering a variety of fresh food provisioning packs packed and stowed on the yacht before you set sail. At an extra cost sailboards and scuba diving equipment are available to hire at an extra charge.

Sunsail

Important Conditions

Prior to paying a deposit you will be required to sign a Charter Agreement confirming you understand the terms and conditions of charter. This is important as cancellation fees may apply once a minimum security deposit of $550 per vessel has been paid. Full payment of your holiday cost must be paid no later than 60 days prior to travel.

All companies require a damage waiver to be paid direct to the operator on commencement of the charger along with a signed credit card authority. They also reserve the right (without showing cause) to apply a bond of up to $2500. 

Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach

Call Sunlover Holidays on 13 88 33 (AUS) or +61 7 3535 4550 (Internationa) to book your yacht hire and relax knowing you are in safe hands. 

Top 10 things to do in the Whitsundays

10. Try a new watersport or learn to dive.

Jet skiing in the Whitsundays

9. Enjoy a cocktail against a perfect island sunset backdrop.

Cocktails in the Whitsundays

 7. Rejuvenate at an island Day Spa.

Hayman

 7. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a secluded beach.

Whitsunday Island

 6. Snorkel fringing reef straight off the beach of a Whitsunday island.

Snorkelling off Whitsunday Islands

5. Follow walking tracks through cool forests and national parks located on the Airlie Beach coastline and Whitsunday national park islands.

Hiking the Whitsundays

4. Sail or cruise around the 74 Whitunday islands.

Sailing in the Whitsundays

 3. Swim, snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef

2. Take a day trip to the pristine Whitehaven Beach - where the sand is so pure you can clean your jewellery on it. 

Whitehaven Beach

1. See Heart Reef from the air on a scenic flight over the Whitsundays. 

Heart Reef

To book your holiday to the Whitsundays, click here.

Romantic Holidays

A great romantic escape starts with the destination. Here are some great options for your next dreamy getaway.

Hinterland Retreats

Sunshine Coast Hinterland

The romantic hillsides of hinterland villages of Maleny & Montville on the Sunshine Coast and Mt. Tamborine & Lamington National Park on the Gold Coast offer cute villages full of antique stores, local fudge producers, cheese shops and cafes. Take the chance to interact with nature with a stroll through bushland, trek to a waterfall or picnic at one of the many lookouts. A little further south is Byron Bay Hinterland, well known for its gourmet produce, cheese and coffee. Don’t miss the 19th century town of Bangalow, with veranda clad buildings featuring homeware stores, book shops, art galleries and clothing boutiques.

Mountain Hideaways

The Blue Mountains, just an hour train ride and two hours drive from the heart of Sydney, offers villages and towns perfectly suited to a romantic escape. Take in the Three Sisters and surrounding views from Katoomba, or hold on tight to your loved one while riding the very steep 400 metre Scenic World railway. Bushwalk to Wentworth Falls or enjoy a meal at the township of Leura after a spot of antique shopping. For a cooler climate retreat where you can snuggle by the fire don’t miss Cradle Mountain. Visit in winter and you may be blessed with snow coverage, but don’t worry, this place is picturesque all year round. Short walks through the rainforest will bring you to waterfalls or historic wooden cottages and longer hikes will take you up into the peaks of the mountains.

Vineyard Indulgence

A short drive from many of Australia’s large cities including Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth are world renounced wine regions. Enjoy a local Shiraz, Semillon Sauvigion Blanc, sparkling or fortified wine. Amongst the vines are well known hotel chains, country retreats and quaint bed and breakfasts. The local communities don’t just love their wine; they also love a great meal too. Enjoy fabulous local produce in award winning restaurants or find a great local chocolate factory for a sweet treat.

Don’t miss: A balloon ride over the hills of the Hunter Valley, Healesville Sanctuary’s zoo and hospital at Yarra Valley, Mammoth Cave at Margaret River and a cycling tour through the Barossa Valley. 

Coastal Paradise

Australia offers some of the best variety of beaches in the world. From the busy Surfers Paradise, to the pristine, quiet beaches of Tasmania’s East Coast and reef fringed Coral Bay and thousands in between, we have it all. Enjoy the sheltered Main Beach at Noosa, enjoy the calm waters off Port Douglas and Palm Cove or enjoy the rough beauty of cragged coastline in Southern Western WA. The sea air soothes the soul and the sight of waves swelling in rhythm relaxes the mind. Step off the beaten track and you may find a beach all to your own to enjoy in peace and quiet.

Tropical Island Escapes

From the Whitsundays to the coral cays of Heron and Lady Elliot and the tropical paradises of the South Pacific, an island getaway is unforgettable. Friendly, adventurous in a ship wreck sort of way, private and pure escapism you can spend days sunbaking, kayaking, snorkelling with the ocean life or lying in a hammock with a good book. From tropical fruit for breakfast, a dip in the ocean after lunch and a beachside evening stroll where the only sounds around are of the palm trees swaying and the ocean lapping on the shore, nothing compares to an island holiday.

City Celebration

Sydney Harbour

Indulge in boutique shopping, take in a theatre show, eat at the country’s top restaurants or hunt for bargains antiques at inner city markets. For those who love a night out, enjoy the trendy laneways bars and dance into the night at a rooftop club. Many of Australia’s cities also offer coastal or riverside activities, from rock climbing at Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point, trekking up Sydney Harbour bridge, dining along Melbourne’s Southbank and coffee cruises along Perth’s Swan River.

For the perfect couple’s holiday don’t miss our Romantic Escapes packages. From spectacular islands, casual coastal beach resorts, gourmet food and wine regions and the secluded luxury of majestic mountains and rainforests, all our packages are ready for you to explore here.