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Great Barrier Reef

The reef is a World Heritage - listed wonder, and an essential Australian travel experience - and the Whitsundays are right in the heart of it! Perfectly poised just off the central Queensland coast, access to the reef is easy here: step off the beach from your island resort and see what you can see or explore the mesmerising underwater world of the outer reef at the permanently moored pontoon - with snorkelling, and semi-submarine tours.

Hardy Reef

Hardy Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef, off the Whitsundays coast of Australia.

The pontoon sits above colourful Hardy Reef, one of the many thousand small reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef. A coral wall, home to an ecosystem of magnificent corals and marine life runs adjacent to the pontoon. Hundreds of fish species at Hardy Reef will surprise and delight you - especially the giant groper.

Giving the reef that magical feel is an intricate garden of hard and soft coral thriving in sheltered lagoons. The bright colours and amusing antics of anemone, parrotfish and sometimes even turtles and reef sharks, captivate all. It is common to see tusk fish, cuttlefish, morays, barracudas, unicorn fish, surgeonfish, angelfish, starfish, feather stars and much more.

The Experience

Moored offshore at Hardy Reef, 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach, Reefworld is the setting for your spectacular overnight Reefsuite experience. Relaunching in 2019, the revamped pontoon hosts day trippers, on-deck Reefsleep guests and a lucky few who'll head below deck for a private, all-inclusive Reefsuite experience.

Begin your journey with a cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to Hardy Reef onboard the high-speed vessel, arriving at the reef around 11:00. After lunch, guests can snorkel, dive, swim or take a scenic helicopter flight to see famous Heart Reef (additional cost). Day visitors depart mid-afternoon and then overnight guests have Hardy Reef and Reefworld all to themselves.

Watch a stunning sunset with a drink in hand before enjoying a starlit long-table dinner on the pontoon's upper deck. After dinner, Reefsuite guests can retreat to the privacy of their undersea accommodation. Sit back, relax and watch as the reef comes to life through the floor to ceiling windows.

Reefsuites give a whole new meaning to 'a room with a view' and you'll awake to see the marine life going about another day on the world-heritage listed reef they call home. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and an exclusive morning on the reef before heading home in the afternoon with memories that will stay with you forever.

Highlights and Inclusions

• Arrive at your unique accommodation via a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays
• Two underwater rooms available (king double or twin single options)
• Each room features premium bedding, glass-walled en suite and floor-to-ceiling views of the spectacular underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef
• All meals including breakfast, morning and afternoon teas, lunch and dinner
• All beverages including beer and wine (cocktails and spirits at an additional cost)
• Spectacular dining experience under the stars
• Activities at the reef including a private guided snorkelling tour and semi-submarine tour
• Access to the underwater observatory
• Optional activities (own expense): scuba diving and heli-scenic flights

Underwater Observatory

For those who don't want to get wet, you'll still be able to discover the amazing underwater world. The pontoon has a spectacular underwater viewing observatory.

The observatory sits underneath the pontoon. It's an incredible space with one whole side of the room fitted with full length windows, showcasing an amazing wild aquarium of reef life. Only inches from the glass, you'll see colourful schools of fish and you'll also be able to watch the entertaining antics of the divers as they explore their surrounds.

Semi submarine

This is the perfect way to explore the reef, learning as you go. On board the semi submarine, there is a reef interpreter providing an informative commentary on all the interesting things you'll see. This is great for all ages and means everyone can see the magic of the reef without even getting into the water.

Snorkelling at your leisure

Of course the highlight of visiting the Great Barrier Reef is getting into the water to discover what lies beneath. If you want to see the best of the reef, take a guided Snorkel Safari (optional extra at own expense) or, you're welcome to cruise around at your leisure.

There are marker buoys and ropes clearly indicating the areas you are free to explore and the staff will be happy to provide directions. If you are not confident swimming please make sure you let staff know. There is a lifeguard station, buoyancy aids and instructors for first time snorkellers.

Menu

Please download the menu for your peruse

• Menu is reference only and subject to change seasonally without notice.