Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Luxury beach holiday in QLD near QF city

Hi. I'm looking for luxury beach hotel recommendations in Queensland, at/near Qantas serviced cities.

I find my way to Australia a few times a year for business, and usually have a weekend to relax. I'm looking for something that's (a) very, very nice (Peninsula-caliber, if possible), (b) directly on the beach and (c) convenient via Qantas to Sydney (where my business is located).

In April, I went to the Peppers in Kingscliff, which was fine. Something a notch higher in terms of caliber would be nice, and perhaps a touch further north for warmer weather.

Any thoughts?

April-Oct: Sheraton Mirage (http://www.sheratonmirage.com.au/) in Port Douglas (an Hour's drive North of CNS)
Nov-March: Palazzo Versace (http://www.palazzoversace.com/) on Gold Coast (an Hour South of BNE)

Perhaps Lizard or Bedarra Island?

http://www.lizardisland.com.au/

http://www.bedarraisland.com/

These are both another step up.

Ditto what Serfty said. As well as the Sheraton Mirage in Gold Coast (next door to Palazzo Versace)

Sheratons are OK, but getting long in the tooth.

An hour north of BNE is the Hyatt Coolum if you like golf.

+1 For Beddara, and there is also Orpheus off TSV.

Sheratons are OK, but getting long in the tooth.

An hour north of BNE is the Hyatt Coolum if you like golf.

+1 For Beddara, and there is also Orpheus off TSV.

Hyatt Coolum is as long in the tooth as Sheraton Gold Coast.

Hi. I'm looking for luxury beach hotel recommendations in Queensland, at/near Qantas serviced cities.

I find my way to Australia a few times a year for business, and usually have a weekend to relax. I'm looking for something that's (a) very, very nice (Peninsula-caliber, if possible), (b) directly on the beach and (c) convenient via Qantas to Sydney (where my business is located).

In April, I went to the Peppers in Kingscliff, which was fine. Something a notch higher in terms of caliber would be nice, and perhaps a touch further north for warmer weather.

Any thoughts?

You live in CT and complain about warmth of Kingscliff in April!

As you can see I live near OOL north 32kms

I I'm looking for something that's (a) very, very nice (Peninsula-caliber, if possible)

Doubt if there's anything close to a beach in Australia that's Peninsula-caliber. Service here just isn't up to that standard - please others correct me if I am wrong.

During the Oz winter, my preference is to head west .. Cable Beach Club, Broome. Guaranteed warm weather, whereas whilst far north Qld is usually OK, it can get cold and wet. But a long way to Broome for a couple of days.

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Doubt if there's anything close to a beach in Australia that's Peninsula-caliber. Service here just isn't up to that standard - please others correct me if I am wrong.

There are places, but they are usually quite small. Might also be worth contacting a specialist travel agent and taking things for there.

Personally I find the Versace a little crass the the Mirage in desperate need of a face list. If I had to choose out of the two, I would go for the Mirage simply because of the location because Port Douglas and surrounding areas are quite stunning. OOL these days is almost an extension of BNE.

I seem to recall there is a very smart eco hotel located about another hour north of Port Douglas but can't recall its name.

Sounds like you want something like Heron Island on the GBR. Not that close to a QF city (though QF used to codeshare on the jetboat transfers, might still do on the helicopter transfers). Cost is in the AUD1000 per night range (Heron is the cheapest of the nice islands, couple of other options for a bit more money, but I think Heron is the neatest of the islands to visit, as long as you like birds or at least don't mind them). See http://www.heronisland.com/nightly-rates/

But be warned you don't get Peninsula style service, you do get tremendous beauty and solitude.

there is also Orpheus off TSV.

Orpheus (http://www.orpheus.com.au/) would get my vote as well

Personally we did not like Port Douglas or the Sheraton. We really enjoyed Palm Cove which is about 20 mins N. of Cairns. We flew there on QF.

If you want REAL luxury, though not sure if QF goes to Hamilton Island, I would look at Hayman Island. You take a boat there from Hamilton. Its awesome......

I love Qland but when we were there XMAS 2003 it was VERY humid and hot.

Orpheus or Qualia ? Or even Hayman Island ? Any comparisons appreciated.

I give it another try:

How does Qualia vs. Peppers Balé PD vs. Sea Temple PD beach villa do compare ?

Thanks a lot.

Sheratons are OK, but getting long in the tooth.

An hour north of BNE is the Hyatt Coolum if you like golf.

+1 For Beddara, and there is also Orpheus off TSV.

I already said this.

I give it another try:

How does Qualia vs. Peppers Balé PD vs. Sea Temple PD beach villa do compare ?

Thanks a lot.

Well, as I found a special rate for a Sea Temple's PD beach villa at 550,-- AUD/nt vs. 1450,-- AUD/nt at qualia I went for ST that gets very good reviews.

Hi. Thanks for all of the posts. I've been down 3 or 4 times in the last year, and have ended up going to the following locations:


Bale Salt in Kingscliff (twice)
Bale in Port Douglas
Barnbougle Dunes (Tassie)


I've looked at Herron and Orpheus, but they all require extra transfers or boat connections, which are very difficult when you only have a 2.5 day weekend to get away. Barnbougle is convenient from Melbourne. Kingscliff was actually my favourite...extremely quiet beach...easy flight from Sydney, etc.

I'm going to be heading back to Australia in mid-November for two weeks solo and would like to plan another weekend holiday.

I've got a booking request in at Royal Melbourne GC (fingers crossed!) - but if that is unavailable, I'd like to find another beach venue to visit. Bale Salt regrettably is fully committed during the weekend that I'll be there (and the regular Peppers there is too down market). Bedarra looks incredible, but tough to get to in my limited time frame.

It sounds pretty resolved that the Sheraton Mirage is long in the tooth.

Any other new thoughts? Is there anything nice on the beach within driving distance of Sydney? Also, one hotel probably not talked about enough is Palazzo Versace. It's in the Amex program, and is an easy flight from Sydney. Thoughts there?

Appreciate the help as always!

Hi. Thanks for all of the posts. I've been down 3 or 4 times in the last year, and have ended up going to the following locations:


Bale Salt in Kingscliff (twice)
Bale in Port Douglas
Barnbougle Dunes (Tassie)


I've looked at Herron and Orpheus, but they all require extra transfers or boat connections, which are very difficult when you only have a 2.5 day weekend to get away. Barnbougle is convenient from Melbourne. Kingscliff was actually my favourite...extremely quiet beach...easy flight from Sydney, etc.

I'm going to be heading back to Australia in mid-November for two weeks solo and would like to plan another weekend holiday.

I've got a booking request in at Royal Melbourne GC (fingers crossed!) - but if that is unavailable, I'd like to find another beach venue to visit. Bale Salt regrettably is fully committed during the weekend that I'll be there (and the regular Peppers there is too down market). Bedarra looks incredible, but tough to get to in my limited time frame.

It sounds pretty resolved that the Sheraton Mirage is long in the tooth.

Any other new thoughts? Is there anything nice on the beach within driving distance of Sydney? Also, one hotel probably not talked about enough is Palazzo Versace. It's in the Amex program, and is an easy flight from Sydney. Thoughts there?

Appreciate the help as always!

Have you thought about Lord Howe Island? Capella Lodge or Arajilla?

Have you thought about Lord Howe Island? Capella Lodge or Arajilla?

These both look very interesting, and a 2 hour non-stop flight from Sydney. I am going to look into these a bit further, but both seem promising. Capella just had a recent makeover, and scored very well by Andrew Harper.

Affiliated with Capella is Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. It also looks very nice. It requires a transfer in Adelaide, but I may have some business there anyway, so perhaps not an issue. Has anyone visited this property? http://www.southernoceanlodge.com.au/

These both look very interesting, and a 2 hour non-stop flight from Sydney. I am going to look into these a bit further, but both seem promising. Capella just had a recent makeover, and scored very well by Andrew Harper.

Affiliated with Capella is Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. It also looks very nice. It requires a transfer in Adelaide, but I may have some business there anyway, so perhaps not an issue. Has anyone visited this property? http://www.southernoceanlodge.com.au/

I have been to both and they are both outstanding. Capella Lodge has a unique location on Lord Howe Island with views over Mr Gower and the reef. A very relaxing place with no mobile reception.

Southern Ocean Lodge is also very stunning with great Ocean views. It is quite isolated. You need to fly to ADL, change to a Rex flight to Kangaroo Island from where the hotel will pick you up for a 60 minutes drive to the lodge.

The Baillies move staff between their lodges so the chef of Capella might now be at the SOL.