Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
02/9241 1234 in Australia): You'll
have to book well in advance to
snag a room at Sydney's best-posi-
tioned property, at the edge of the
city's historic Rocks district. Many
rooms have fabulous views across
the harbor to the Sydney Opera
House. See p. 109.
•
Sebel Reef House
(Cairns, QLD;
&
1800/079 052
in Australia):
Everyone who stays here says the
same thing: “It feels like home.”
Airy rooms look into tropical gar-
dens, waterfalls cascade into the
pools, mosquito nets drape over
the beds, and you could swear
pith-helmeted colonial officers
will be back any minute to finish
their gin-and-tonics in the
Brigadier Bar. Idyllic Palm Cove
Beach is just across the road. See
p. 285.
•
Lizard Island
(off Cairns, QLD;
&
1800/737 678
in Australia,
800/225-9849 in the U.S. and
Canada, or 020/7805 3875 in the
U.K.): Lizard Island has long been
popular with Americans for its
game fishing, wonderful coral and
diving, smart food, and simple
upscale lodge accommodations.
See p. 287.
•
Bedarra Island
(off Mission
Beach, QLD;
&
1800/737 678
in Australia, 800/225-9849 in the
U.S. and Canada, or 020/7805
3875 in the U.K.): Presidents and
princesses in need of a little time
out come to this small rainforest
island ringed by beaches. The tim-
ber villas are cozy, and the discreet
staff assures privacy. Best of all,
though, is the extravagant 24-
hour open bar. See p. 306.
•
Orpheus Island Resort
(off
Townsville or Cairns, QLD;
&
1800/077 167
in Australia):
Beloved of film stars and others
who relish privacy, this resort has
simple, attractive rooms; good
food; a marvelous sense of seclu-
sion; and a beautiful location in the
curve of a palm-lined bay. The only
way in is by seaplane. See p. 314.
•
Hayman
(Whitsunday Islands,
QLD;
&
1800/075 175
in Aus-
tralia, or call Leading Hotels of
the World at
&
800/223-6800
in
the U.S. and Canada, 0800/181
123 in the U.K., 1800/409 063 in
Ireland, or 0800/44 1016 in New
Zealand): Located on Hayman
Island in the Whitsundays, this is
Australia's most glamorous resort.
It's got classy rooms, excellent
restaurants, staff keen to please, a
superb hexagonal swimming pool,
and a fleet of charter boats waiting
to spirit you off to the Reef or
your own deserted isle. See p. 324.
• Longitude 131
(Uluru/Ayres
Rock, Red Centre, NT;
&
08/
8957 7888
): A newcomer to the
Ayres Rock resort scene, Longi-
tude 131 is an African-style luxury
safari camp set in the sand dunes
and with great views of Uluru/
Ayres Rock. It's very exclusive and
very expensive, but you experience
the Outback in style. See p. 390.
•
El Questro Homestead
(The
Kimberley, WA;
&
1300/65 65
65
in Australia, 800/221-4542 in
the U.S. and Canada, 020/8283
4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422
in New Zealand, or 08/9169
1777): Charming country decor
spiced up with Indonesian
antiques, good cooking, and a
dramatic gorge location make this
glamorous homestead on a mil-
lion-acre cattle station popular
with jet-setters. Cruise wild
gorges, heli-fish for barramundi,
and hike to Aboriginal rock art
while you're here. See p. 475.
•
Cable Beach Club Resort
Broome
(Broome, WA;
&
1800/
099 199
in Australia, or 08/9192
0400): Chinatown meets the
Outback at this elegant corru-
gated-iron-and-pagoda-studded
