Stay of the Week: Mirage Whitsundays
Snorkel, sail or soar above the beach voted the most beautiful in the world, with this four-night Whitsundays winter travel deal.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to sunny Queensland for a special stay at Mirage Whitsundays, Airlie Beach. We love this place so much that we teamed up with the resort to offer an exclusive four-night travel deal — including a sunset sailing cruise and one-hour scenic flight with spectacular views of the outer Great Barrier Reef below.
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL?
Queensland: Beautiful one day. Perfect the next. Which all means that while summer is an obvious time to head to the Sunshine State, we reckon a winter escape is just as good. The temps are still warm-ish, the crowds are less-ish and the general consensus is that it's a great time to visit. (Full stop. No ish).
So, if you're on the hunt for a mid-year exodus, but your budget and annual leave allowance limit it to the non-European-variety, our recommendation is to book a stay at the Mirage Whitsundays. Nestled in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Mirage is the place to base yourself if you're all about spectacular sunrises, salty sea breezes and super easy access to the 74 tropical islands that make up Australia's most famous archipelago.
THE ROOMS
If you're not a fan of starting your day with breathtaking, turquoise-tinted, island-dotted views, then the Mirage Whitsundays may not be the best choice for you, and we suggest you search for an alternative.
However, travellers who don't mind a hotel with a little water frontage will be pleased to hear that every single room at the Mirage promises exactly that. Whether you choose a self-contained apartment, villa or penthouse, opt for an elevated panorama or a ground-level vista, your European-style kitchen, spacious terrace and modern bathroom will always come with a side of sea breeze. We hope you can find a way to make it work.
FOOD AND DRINK
G&T lovers rejoice. Airlie's only gin bar, Whisper Restaurant And Gin Bar, is located smack bang in the middle of the Mirage. If you're after an excellent range of gins (more than 90) or creative cocktails that heavily feature them, or you prefer a fine wine or cold beer, then you've come to the right place.
Not a drinker? Fret not. The restaurant is also home to daily breakfasts (the chia puddings come highly recommended), an Indonesian buffet feast on Friday nights, and bottomless brunches every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-1pm. There's even a free courtesy bus to get you there and back, so you don't waste precious feasting time.
THE LOCAL AREA
Not to point out the obvious, but if you've booked a stay at the Mirage, easy access to the beaches of the Whitsundays and maybe a day or two to check out the Great Barrier Reef probably had something to do with it. If you only had time to do one thing, we recommend you visit Whitehaven Beach, which was named the Best Beach in the World a couple of years ago.
Assuming you do the smart thing though, and book our four-night travel deal, you'll have a little more time to explore more. Just for starters: take a stroll through the Whitsunday Great Walk (Conway Circuit); drive to nearby Hideaway and Horseshoe bays; visit the beautiful Cedar Creek Falls; island-hop by cruise, sail or jet ski; or snorkel among the largest coral reef system on Earth. For those who really just can't get their head around rocking a bikini or boardies between June and August, please read on for a way around this dilemma.
THE EXTRAS
Those who can't be convinced to embrace their inner Ariel and go 'Under the Sea' can still experience all that the reef has to offer through an above-the-ocean sunset cruise or an above-the-clouds scenic flight. Or both. Included in day four of this package, the former gives you the chance to settle in for a two-hour boat ride with complimentary welcome drink and yummy snacks, just in time to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Meanwhile the latter is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a private flight over amazing blue waters, white sand beaches and even a naturally heart-shaped reef.
Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
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