International holiday thrills with the convenience of an Australian escape , The Whitsundays brings tropical island vibes to our doorstep .
You don ’ t have to be a location scout to see exactly why this year ’ s favourite rom-com , Ticket to Paradise , zooms in on The Whitsundays . Much of the movie was filmed on location here , with island resorts and hidden coves playing host to Hollywood royalty ( aka Julia Roberts and George Clooney ).
Forget screensaver scenery . This is big-screen scenery . And dazzling in every frame — a tall order when you ’ re sharing airtime with George and Julia !
But honestly , nothing beats visiting these fabled turquoise waters and sugar-sand beaches in real life . Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef , The Whitsundays has long put out a siren call to couples dreaming of adventure , relaxation , and romance . With a heritage-listed marine park on your doorstep and a dash of A-lister sparkle , what ’ s not to love ?
Where to stay in The Whitsundays
You may have heard it before , but you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation in The Whitsundays . From the new beachfront pool pavilions at the InterContinental Hayman Island to nauticalthemed boat bungalows at Freedom Shores , this is a destination to tempt every traveller , with plenty of mainland and on-island options . Looking for an eco-escape ? See Elysian Retreat on Long Island for a dose of barefoot luxury at the region ’ s first 100 % solar-powered resort . Long Island is also home to the villas and private cove of Palm Bay Resort ( another location to pop up in Ticket to Paradise , reimagined as a Balinese village ).
Or enjoy the castaway charm of Camp Island where you and up to eight guests can have the whole place to yourselves . Want to stay close to the Airlie action ? Drink in ocean views from your balcony hammock at Coral Sea Resort or step out into your plunge pool at Mirage Whitsundays . We could go on ….
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