How to WIN a luxury Great Barrier Reef escape

Recent VIP visitors to the northern Great Barrier Reef beauty include Mark Ruffalo, Will Smith and Baz Luhrmann.But everyday Aussies are also using hard-won freedoms to tick quality island holidays off their bucket lists.Island resort general manager Leon Pink said famous faces weren’t just attracted to the ivory sand beaches, local turtle population, vibrant reef and high-end hospitality, but because “celebrities are always in the spotlight.” “When you can get grounded with nature … in such a pristine environment, it creates a really incredible recalibration for celebrities,” he said. “Baz stayed last year and it was quite a spin out with Baz.“He was quick to say that this is ‘just the ultimate disconnect’. I think for him, it’s exactly what he needed. Constantly having people around, to be able to just sit there and focus on a turtle on a reef – it’s such a wonderful grounding element.” Lizard Island has retained its reputation as a treasured haven among movie stars, models and top tier travellers precisely because it is ideally out of reach in more ways than one. The gleaming cherry sitting atop the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, the island’s luxe allure and hyper-discreet guest privacy had actor Kate Hudson declare it “the most romantic place on Earth”. And after Covid, who doesn’t deserve to “shake it off” and holiday like an award winner? “We were more an international mix of guests historically but … it’s been great to have new domestic customers come and see Lizard,” Pink said. “It’s really put on show that we are a better product than a Maldives holiday or a South East Asian resort destination. “Nature is another level here … and I think the dining experience is incredible on its own. The tours we have are very meaningful and guests love that it’s a Lizard Island experience at every corner.”Dr Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest bought Lizard Island last November and the magnate’s commitment to renewables and sustainability bodes well for Lizard Island’s nearly 50-year-old Research Centre, which attracts scientists from around the globe to study and help protect the Great Barrier Reef’s future.“The new owners are passionate about the environment and I think that was very much in their minds when they were buying here – the Research Centre is such an important part of the island,” Pink said.Indigenous history and sacred sites are also inseparable from the island’s story and Pink hints at “meaningful” changes under Forrest’s custodianship.“It’s so wonderful to have this iconic island owned by an Australian,” he said. “I think it’s so important on its own – and the sustainable side is paramount, it’s critical.”“We’re doing a lot of work with our traditional owners here. I can’t really talk about the specifics of that at the moment but really look forward to sharing that – that soul of the island, that history.”Tourism and Events Queensland has a $20,000 luxury Cairns and Great Barrier Reef holiday up for grabs as part of its Great Queensland Getaway campaign, promoted through News Corp Australia. The prize includes return airfares and two nights living like the stars on Lizard Island.Scan here for your chance to WIN a luxury escape to the Great Barrier Reef or click HERE to enter.

from news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://ift.tt/0KALpTu

February 18, 2022 at 11:30PM
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Recent VIP visitors to the northern Great Barrier Reef beauty include Mark Ruffalo, Will Smith and Baz Luhrmann.But everyday Aussies are also using hard-won freedoms to tick quality island holidays off their bucket lists.Island resort general manager Leon Pink said famous faces weren’t just attracted to the ivory sand beaches, local turtle population, vibrant reef and high-end hospitality, but because “celebrities are always in the spotlight.” “When you can get grounded with nature … in such a pristine environment, it creates a really incredible recalibration for celebrities,” he said. “Baz stayed last year and it was quite a spin out with Baz.“He was quick to say that this is ‘just the ultimate disconnect’. I think for him, it’s exactly what he needed. Constantly having people around, to be able to just sit there and focus on a turtle on a reef – it’s such a wonderful grounding element.” Lizard Island has retained its reputation as a treasured haven among movie stars, models and top tier travellers precisely because it is ideally out of reach in more ways than one. The gleaming cherry sitting atop the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, the island’s luxe allure and hyper-discreet guest privacy had actor Kate Hudson declare it “the most romantic place on Earth”. And after Covid, who doesn’t deserve to “shake it off” and holiday like an award winner? “We were more an international mix of guests historically but … it’s been great to have new domestic customers come and see Lizard,” Pink said. “It’s really put on show that we are a better product than a Maldives holiday or a South East Asian resort destination. “Nature is another level here … and I think the dining experience is incredible on its own. The tours we have are very meaningful and guests love that it’s a Lizard Island experience at every corner.”Dr Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest bought Lizard Island last November and the magnate’s commitment to renewables and sustainability bodes well for Lizard Island’s nearly 50-year-old Research Centre, which attracts scientists from around the globe to study and help protect the Great Barrier Reef’s future.“The new owners are passionate about the environment and I think that was very much in their minds when they were buying here – the Research Centre is such an important part of the island,” Pink said.Indigenous history and sacred sites are also inseparable from the island’s story and Pink hints at “meaningful” changes under Forrest’s custodianship.“It’s so wonderful to have this iconic island owned by an Australian,” he said. “I think it’s so important on its own – and the sustainable side is paramount, it’s critical.”“We’re doing a lot of work with our traditional owners here. I can’t really talk about the specifics of that at the moment but really look forward to sharing that – that soul of the island, that history.”Tourism and Events Queensland has a $20,000 luxury Cairns and Great Barrier Reef holiday up for grabs as part of its Great Queensland Getaway campaign, promoted through News Corp Australia. The prize includes return airfares and two nights living like the stars on Lizard Island.Scan here for your chance to WIN a luxury escape to the Great Barrier Reef or click HERE to enter.