Luxury: qualia, Australia’s award-winning, world-class luxury resort, is on the northernmost part of Hamilton Island, surrounded by the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Child-free getaways. Is that possible, you ask? Guilt-free answer: Absolutely! Remorse may initially be noticeable if you, as parents, decide to go on a holiday without your children.
Stop overthinking it. Taking breaks can lower stress and improve overall wellbeing. Besides, leaving kids with relatives can help them develop greater independence and confidence. Be decisive. Go on an adults-only retreat. We did, and the break was absolutely magical!
Enjoying an impeccable blend of adventure and relaxation, we had a perfect opportunity to unwind, renew and come home refreshed. There were many everyday feel-good moments. Endless choices beckoned on our romantic escape: we lived on the edge, slept and woke up on our own terms, cherished every moment we spent together and overindulged.
Flight Centre has numerous adults-only holidays to suit every need, offering “nothing but kid-free peace and quiet”. We opted for qualia on Hamilton Island, but special packages are also available to an outback adults-only luxury lodge retreat in WA and a beachfront property in Indonesia.
Booking agent Paul was quick with this explanation: “qualia is deliberately spelled with a lower-case ‘q’ as it is a reflection of the relaxed, understated nature of this property.”
Outback: El Questro Homestead, Kununurra. The real beauty of the Kimberley is that it lets you be as adventurous or as laidback as you wish. Photo: Supplied.
qualia is on the northernmost part of Hamilton Island, surrounded by the natural wonder of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, with views across the Coral Sea and The Whitsundays. One of Queensland’s Whitsunday group of islands, Hamilton lies south of neighbouring Whitsunday Island.
Brimming with understated luxury and quintessential Australian charm, this award-winning resort immerses you in its tranquil atmosphere, where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind yet completely spoil the senses.
Seclusion, unwinding, memorable: qualia is a haven from the hustle and bustle of the city. This sun-drenched hideaway provides exceptional levels of high-quality luxury and intuitive, friendly service. Even the stealthy pace is welcome!
A unique Australian expression of world-class extravagance, qualia is a completely private world of sensory perfection. This is where you can live to the fullest, be indulged, and feel pampered. What’s more, it’s here that you understand the true significance of being far away from the commotion of civilisation, the pandemonium, a cacophony. Definitely no harsh and jarring sounds here!
Every aspect of qualia is designed to engage, making the most of the natural tranquillity of the resort set on 12.1 hectares of garden landscape. Accommodation is one of two pavilion types: the Leeward provides a hideaway with a mix of tropical bushland and sea views, and the Windward offers private plunge pools. The exclusive Beach House has its own 12-metre infinity pool and private guesthouse.
Morning, noon or night, you dine with a view at qualia’s two restaurants: Long Pavilion is set high among the eucalyptus trees with its sweeping views, and Pebble Beach is on the edge of the sand. A novel mode of transport is a golf buggy as you discover the island’s setting and laidback lifestyle.
Dreamy: Paradisus by Melia Bali. Wander hand-in-hand through Nusa Dua’s stunning beaches, leafy paths and breezy beachfront restaurants. Photo: Supplied.
Discover the beautiful Australian icons of the region around qualia. Enjoy a private helicopter tour of Heart Reef, a stunning composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. Go on a memorable Great Barrier Reef snorkelling adventure or take it easy on Whitehaven Beach with its white silica sand, and swim in the crystal-blue waters.
It’s the ideal spot as you marvel at the wondrous diversity of underwater life by exploring the myriad picturesque islands and coral cays that form the Earth’s largest coral reef ecosystem, and the only natural structure visible from the moon.
Inquire about the Hamilton Island Romantic Indulgence at qualia deal, which expires on 31 December. Two other special holiday packages on offer expire on 30 November. These are for five nights at the El Questro Homestead, Kununurra, and seven nights at Paradisus by Melia Bali.
El Questro is a destination unlike any other and offers the freedom to explore one of Australia’s last true frontiers. From deep gorges and majestic ranges to thermal springs, mud and salt flats, rainforests and cascading waterfalls, everything the Kimberley has to offer can be found across the property’s 283,000 hectares (700,000 acres).
Paradisus by Melia Bali is a beachfront property in Nusa Dua. Whether it’s a honeymoon, anniversary or just because, this dreamy retreat delivers luxury, privacy and all the time in the world for just the two of you.
The four Rs of holidaying are relax, recharge, reconnect and re-engage — repeat. The privacy and seclusion we sometimes crave are ours for the taking!
