Story Ideas from the Whitsundays – October/November

There is lots happening here in the Whitsundays and we have got some fantastic news for you. Check out our latest story ideas and contact the team at Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited to develop your story ideas, or help with new ideas.

Here are our latest top ten story ideas for October/November 2014 to get the creative juices flowing….

WHAT’S NEW

New tours to Hydeaway Bay launched
Hydeaway Bay has long been known as the Whitsundays’ best kept secret and now visitors can jump on a new bus tour with Airlie Limos to explore this hidden gem. Hydeaway Bay is situated just 45min from Airlie Beach and is famous for its secluded beaches, lush green hills, and its magnificent views. Explore the coast and surrounding islands by kayak, canoe or hop on an Ecojet Safari Tour. Drop in a fishing line, snorkel the fringing reef and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the restaurants. Find out more…

Maritime Terminal opens its doors in Airlie Beach
Cruise Whitsundays has moved their operations to their brand new $15m, state-of-the-art Maritime Terminal situated at the Port of Airlie. The new terminal features convenient airport style check-in, a large café with indoor and outdoor eating areas, a gift shop and comfortable seated waiting areas. The impressive terminal is a great arrival and departure point with all major ferry services and Cruise Whitsundays’ day tours to the islands, the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach departing from the new terminal. Find out more…

New indigenous qualia experience
Enjoy a cruise aboard qualia’s luxury cruiser ‘Atomic’ to view ancient Aboriginal cave drawings. The caves, located at Nara Inlet, Hook Island, were commonly used by the Ngaro Aboriginal people prior to European Settlement. Following this, is a short cruise to Langford Spit, one of the most picturesque locations in the Whitsundays, where you can enjoy a qualia cocktail and excellent snorkelling. Find out more…

QantasLink services Brisbane to Hamilton Island
QantasLink will start direct flights between Brisbane and Hamilton Island from 28 November. Passengers are enjoying more flexibility when travelling to the Whitsundays with four return services scheduled from Fridays to Mondays each week. The Whitsundays celebrated the return of Qantas services to Hamilton Island in July and is delighted to welcome the addiitonal QantasLink services from Brisbane. Find out more…

Multi-purpose function venue for Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach’s newest multi-purpose function venue, The Palm House, is now open. The Palm House is set in a large outdoor area amongst botanic-like gardens and offers a totally flexible space for meetings, corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and other special events. A large commercial kitchen allows for on-site catering and there is also the serene Palm Pavilion which can be utilised for wedding ceremonies, break out areas and cocktail functions. Find out more…

STORY ANGLES

Sneak peek: Wings Adventure Park
Get down and dirty as you race a mini 4WD through the amazing hinterland on the Whitsunday Coast. Wings Adventure Park will open on 5 January 2015 and will get your heart racing. Climb from the valley floor to the hilltops of the rainforest, slash through muddy pod holes, and conquer tracks through grassland, marshland, wetland, creek beds and bumps. Rally around the track with your friends and show off your skills. Get a sneak peek now.

Conway National Park and Sunset Tapas via Segway
Visitors to the Whitsundays are now able to explore Conway National Park on a guided Segway Tour through the lush green rainforest. The Segway tour includes a traditional high tea under the rainforest canopy. A second guided tour will take visitors along the Bicentennial Boardwalk from Airlie Beach to Cannonvale to see a spectacular sunset over the Coral Sea whilst indulging in delicious tapas at Abell Point Marina. Find out more…

WHAT’S ON

WHITSUNDAY WRITERS FESTIVAL – 10-12 OCT
The fifth annual Whitsunday Writers Festival is a weekend event featuring talks from authors, panel discussions, creative writing workshops and lots more. It is a social, mentally stimulating festival all about words, books, reading and creativity. Mingle and mix with key speaker Peter Fitzsimons and enjoy fabulous food and wonderful views over the Coral Sea. Find out more…

PAS DE DEUX IN PARADISE – 31 OCT – 2 NOV
For seven years in a row, The Australian Ballet has visited qualia on Hamilton Island, for an exclusive weekend of pas de deux in paradise. Held under a glittering sky, with the Whitsunday Islands as their backdrop, The Australian Ballet takes to the stage. This is a unique opportunity to see one of the world’s best ballet groups in a spectacular, open-air stage setting. Find out more…

AIRLIE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL – 7-9 NOV
The second Airlie Beach Music Festival is only a month away and will see 74 bands stepping up on stage this year. Bands will play at venues right across Airlie Beach. This year’s event has attracted a massive line-up including Screaming Jets, Euroglider, Mar Seymour, James Blundell, 1927, The Radiators and many more.Find out more…

TID BITS OF NEWS

GONE FISHING AFTER DARK
Coral Sea Fishing Charters have launched a new after dark fishing adventure. The tour departs Port of Airlie from 6pm-9pm daily.

VILLA BOTANICA QUEENSLAND’S BEST CEREMONY VENUE
The Whitsundays’ claim as “The Wedding Heart of Australia” was further proven when boutique wedding venue Villa Botanica was voted Queensland’s Best Ceremony Venue at the Queensland Annual Bridal Industry Awards.

QUALIA NAMED AUSTRALIA’S BEST RESORT
Hamilton Island’s luxury resort, qualia, has been named Australia’s Best Resort for the seventh consecutive year at the 2014 HM Awards.

ONE WHITSUNDAY RESORT & SPA
Construction is underway on a $70 million resort development built in Airlie Beach. The boutique resort ONE Whitsunday Resort and Spa will be located near Abell Point Marina and comprises 75 strata titled 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.