Southern Crossings Australia Senior Consultant, Polly Brain has recently returned from "an adventure somewhere really special and very remote" - Voyages Wilson Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Voyages Wilson Island is about getting away from it ALL - so, leave your laptop and mobile phones behind, your hairdryer and all your cares too, to enjoy the castaway tranquility and outstanding natural beauty of a stay on Wilson Island.
It is possible to transfer to Heron Island from the mainland (via Gladstone Airport) by boat, but I would highly recommend the very scenic 30 minute heli-transfer option. Flying over the Great Barrier Reef's maze of coral reefs was simply breathtaking. From Heron Island, it is a 40 minute boat transfer to the 'Robinson Crusoe' style getaway of Wilson Island.
From the moment you arrive on Wilson Island - to join a maximum of 5 other couples, you know you are somewhere very different and very special.
We were immediately welcomed by our friendly hosts who took us up the sandy pathway to our very comfortable 'safari-style' tents and showed us around the island - which, with just six tents and one central area, didnt take long and we were soon enjoying the world class snorkelling for which the island is renowned.
Snorkelling side by side with turtles, rays and brightly coloured corals in the turquoise waters straight off the beach is without doubt a true highlight of any stay on Wilson Island. Other ways to occupy your days include relaxing with a good book on the powdery white sand beaches, beachcombing the secluded waters edge, lazing in a hammock soothed by the soft tropical breezes, challenging your fellow guests to a board game in the "community tent" and a range of self-guided nature walks to visit some of the island's other inhabitants - which include a wide range and number of seabirds, as well as Green and Loggerhead turtles who come here to lay their eggs (November - February). From June to October it is also common to spot Humpback Whales on their annual migration up and down the Australian East Coast.
At the end of the day, pre dinner drinks and canapes are enjoyed on the beach whilst watching the sun go down. We were treated to the spectacle of countless birds silhouetted against the orange skies as we chatted with our fellow guests.
Dinner, shared in the central 'Longhouse' is like having a dinner party with friends. The inevitably like-minded guests made for memorable evenings and lasting friendships; and the meals were an unexpected highlight of my stay. It was quite remarkable that on just a BBQ, a delicious meal with such an array of culinary delights was produced each evening, accompanied by an impressive list of all-inclusive wines. Due to the remoteness of the island and the communal nature of the dining arrangements, it is however recommended you advise them of any special dietary requirements well in advance.
After a delightful evening chatting with our hosts and the other guests, it was time for bed - via the communal "Washhouse" where each couple has their own beautifully appointed dressing area complete with solar powered hot showers, bathrobes, fluffy towels and Molton Brown grooming goodies. Getting to the bathroom and on to our tents was with the aid of a wind-up torch as there is no electricity on the island. (The bathrooms and central areas are generator powered).
The contemporary furnished raised accommodation 'tents' all enjoy king sized beds and a wide verandah with deck chairs and a hammock. Each also enjoys a completely unspoilt beach outlook with the ocean lapping at the shore just metres from the end of your bed. Going to bed, listening to the sound of the waves and the natural noises of the night, I had an overwhelming sense of being in a remote wilderness, and falling asleep came peacefully and easily.
Wilson Island is the perfect destination if you enjoy a sense of adventure and love the idea of a truly remote island experience without having to leave the luxuries of fine food, great wine, hot showers and comfortable beds behind.
I, for one, will definitely be back.
Note: Wilson Island does not cater to children under 12 years of age and is closed for the month of February during the bird nesting season.