They say you always remember your first time. And whenever I think of
scuba diving, I think of Hayman Island in Australia. But I believe it is
not just because I learned there. I simply had the remarkable good fortune
to start at one of the most spectacular diving locations in the world.
Close
to Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by the picturesque
waterways of the Whitsunday Passage, lies Hayman, one of the world's finest
resorts. Hayman is the most northerly of the 74 Whitsunday islands and
is one of the closest to the Great Barrier Reef which winds 2000 kilometers
down the Queensland coastline. The Whitsunday Passage was named by the
English explorer Captain James Cook who sailed his ship "Endeavour" into
the area on Whit Sunday in June 1770.
Your journey to Hayman begins with a jet aircraft flight to nearby Hamilton
airport. But your holiday begins on a luxury champagne cruise through a
channel of untouched islands to Hayman. On board you will get a sneak preview
of the kind of service that you will receive on Hayman, as our staff tend
to any queries you might have, complete your registration, and pour you
a glass of champagne.
Arriving
on Hayman, you are immediately aware of the balance between luxury living
and natural beauty. From the magnificent tropical gardens, to the open
air lanai foyers. From the antique outdoor furnishings, to the rustic garden
benches. from the panoramic balcony views, to the original landscape paintings
that grace the walls, from the West wing saltwater swimming pool (which
surrounds the freshwater pool entirely). to the sandy island beaches.
Hayman's classic architectural style has been closely integrated with
the superb natural beauty of its surroundings. Soft neutral colors and
the cool tranquility of marble create a peaceful oasis in this tropical
environment. Throughout the resort are antiques and treasures carefully
selected from around the world. Specially commissioned Australian works
of art form the exclusive Hayman collection.
Majestic palm trees, lush tropical plants and exotic blooms fill the
gardens. Walking tracks meander through the natural brushland which covers
the island, home to many colorful birds and wildlife.
But
you must tear yourself away from the property to get to the Great Barrier
Reef, heralded as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The Great Barrier Reef
stretches across 2500 kilometers, marking the outline of where Australia's
coastline used to be, prior to being covered over by the rising sea after
the last Ice Age. Since coral needs light to survive, the live coral has
continued to regenerate and grow up toward the surface, so that now the
oldest areas of coral extended down 1000 feet of ocean floor. Declared
a World Heritage Site in 1981, the reef is now strictly regulated. The
Reef lies about 27 nautical miles from Hayman, and 40 nautical miles from
the Queensland coast. Coral of vibrant colors and bizarre shapes, giant
clams, schools of daring fish, sea urchins, eels, giant turquoise Maori
wrasses and multitudes of mammoth sea turtles, coming up to feet on the
algae at the surface are just one of the many wonders of this thriving
ecosystem. And for those who decide they want to get a closer look, Hayman
offers PADI scuba diving certification for their guests.
And after a long day on the water, it is sheer pleasure to return to
the comforts of Hayman. And I can hardly wait to return to Australia's
dream island which has pleasantly spoiled me for island experiences yet
to come.
TM
Close
to Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by the picturesque
waterways of the Whitsunday Passage, lies Hayman, one of the world's finest
resorts. Hayman is the most northerly of the 74 Whitsunday islands and
is one of the closest to the Great Barrier Reef which winds 2000 kilometers
down the Queensland coastline. The Whitsunday Passage was named by the
English explorer Captain James Cook who sailed his ship "Endeavour" into
the area on Whit Sunday in June 1770.
Arriving
on Hayman, you are immediately aware of the balance between luxury living
and natural beauty. From the magnificent tropical gardens, to the open
air lanai foyers. From the antique outdoor furnishings, to the rustic garden
benches. from the panoramic balcony views, to the original landscape paintings
that grace the walls, from the West wing saltwater swimming pool (which
surrounds the freshwater pool entirely). to the sandy island beaches.
But
you must tear yourself away from the property to get to the Great Barrier
Reef, heralded as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The Great Barrier Reef
stretches across 2500 kilometers, marking the outline of where Australia's
coastline used to be, prior to being covered over by the rising sea after
the last Ice Age. Since coral needs light to survive, the live coral has
continued to regenerate and grow up toward the surface, so that now the
oldest areas of coral extended down 1000 feet of ocean floor. Declared
a World Heritage Site in 1981, the reef is now strictly regulated. The
Reef lies about 27 nautical miles from Hayman, and 40 nautical miles from
the Queensland coast. Coral of vibrant colors and bizarre shapes, giant
clams, schools of daring fish, sea urchins, eels, giant turquoise Maori
wrasses and multitudes of mammoth sea turtles, coming up to feet on the
algae at the surface are just one of the many wonders of this thriving
ecosystem. And for those who decide they want to get a closer look, Hayman
offers PADI scuba diving certification for their guests.