The Report
qualia {kwah-lee-ah} is nestled intimately on the edge of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. qualiaoccupies Hamilton Island's beautiful and sun-drenched northern-most tip. Oozing with quintessential Australian charm, this award-winning resort immerses its guests in its tranquil atmosphere. qualia’s Hamilton Island home is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef; the perfect place to host marvelous celebrations.
Ahoy Eco-Explorers! You and your party guests will be able to explore the myriad of picturesque islands and coral cays that form the Earth's largest coral reef ecosystem, and the only natural structure visible from the moon. With 70 per cent of the island’s bushland protected by national park, Hamilton Island’s lush interior has numerous trails leading to panoramic viewpoints. Measuring 6 square kilometres, Hamilton Island is surrounded by coral reef, and beaches. The resort is set amongst gardens and tropical bushland on the island’s northern tip.
PILLOW TALK: Set amongst native Eucalypts, and with breathtaking views of the luminous Coral Sea and neighbouring islands, the 60 luxurious pavilions are an indulgent space to unwind in, with either a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge poo
HOW WILL MY GUESTS GET HERE?: Both Jetstar and Virgin airlines have flights to Hamilton Island where guests are picked up by the team at qualia resort.
The Scoop
Imagine dancing barefoot on the sand under the moonlight with your guests. Paradise on earth is the theme for weddings or honeymoons at qualia. Every detail is meticulously arranged, with wedding packages including customized decor, music and photography. qualia offers a collection of amazing venues for your next event corporate retreat or wedding. qualia is also available for exclusive use/buyouts! NEED TO KNOW: To utilize any of the qualia venues for your wedding reception all guests must stay at qualia.
CHAPEL: Hamilton Island’s picture-perfect white wooden wedding chapel is the essence of tropical romance, followed by a champagne reception at qualia. Intimate wedding ceremonies are held on the lawn overlooking the Whitsunday Passage at qualia, and the entire qualia resort can be reserved for larger parties.
THE LONG PAVILION: The Long Pavilion, qualia’s central facility, encompasses its main restaurant, bar and library. Perfectly situated overlooking the Coral Sea, the Long Pavilion offers stunning views of the Whitsundays. The waterfront sophistication of the Long Pavilion is the ideal location for an elegant dinner party or wedding reception in the private dining room or entire Long Pavilion restaurant.
PEBBLE BEACH: The Pebble Beach precinct features a “waters edge” restaurant set beside an expansive waterfront pool, complete with cabanas and gym. It also provides two lawn areas, an upper and lower, at the front and side of the pool providing a stunning backdrop for a more casual beach side dinner or cocktail reception. Candlelit tables can be set up by the water’s edge at Pebble Beach, either by the pool, on the lawn or in the Pebble Beach restaurant.
BEACH HOUSE: The Beach House at qualia is the island’s ultimate hide away. With spacious entertaining area including private lawns, a separate guesthouse and private full size swimming pool, the Beach House at qualia is the perfect setting for an intimate cocktail reception. Receptions can also be hosted in the lavish privacy of qualia’s Beach House pavilion.
THE VENUE REPORT LOVES... We can't get enough of the Gatsby style soiree that Vogue Living hosted at the resort! See the photos below of badmitton, preppy white crisp decor, and champagne towers galore.
Bonus
qualia’s climate-controlled wine cellar is stocked with a superb collection of Australian and imported wines: vintage French champagne, Clare Valley Riesling, Chardonnay from the Margaret River region, Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Barossa Valley Shiraz.
FUN TIP: Take part in one of the afternoon Masterclasses. Learn fine wine pairing with cheese or some of Japans best sake with freshly made sushi.
ZIP AROUND TOWN!: You get your own electric buggy and can zip around the large resort in it! uniquely relaxed atmosphere is seductive, but take a ride around the island in your personal two-seater electric golf buggy and you’ll discover there’s plenty going on in Hamilton Island Sunset cocktails are served on the Bommie Deck at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, and waterfront views accompany drinks at the Marina Tavern by the harbour. For live music, head to the Reef Lounge and Sails. . For visitors and residents alike, the island’s hub for boutique shopping and dining is the waterfront Marina Village in the heart of the island. Families relax and play nearby on the lovely stretch of sand at Catseye Beach.
STYLE FOR YOUR SETTING
1. SET THE TONE: We love these invitations - we love the neutral palette and simplicity on the outside (much like the wood tones and minimalistic vibe of the venue.) But on the inside is a handkerchief scarf with a map on it! Yes your guests will definitely need a map to get to Hamilton Island, and will have a keepsake of the event! Via Oh So Beautiful Paper 2. CANDLES: The raw simplicity of these unfinished wood candles is a nice foundation with pops of color on top! via Real Simple 3. DRIFTWOOD CALLIGRAPHY PLACE CARDS: In keeping with a super unfussy yet elegant feel of qualia, we love the idea of incorporating driftwood placecards onto the tables. Photo by: Brooke Boling
Inside Scoop
VOGUE LIVING HOSTED WORLD CHAMPAGNE DAY HERE!! (GATSBY STYLE): 2013 marks the fourth annual World Champagne Day, uniting wine enthusiasts from around the globe. The celebration, held in conjunction with Vogue Living and The Champagne Bureau, was a glamorous Great Gatsby-style affair featuring a glamorous badminton match and a bespoke four-course dinner was created by Executive Chef Alastair Waddell. The delicious food was accompanied by matching wines straight from the finest Champagne houses in France including Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésime 2000 and Bollinger La Grande Année 2004.Highlight Reel
- Vogue Living hosted an incredible Gatsby style party here! If it's good enough for Vogue.... (enough said)
- Hamilton Island has glittering white beaches and The Great Barrier Reef.
- qualia has won multiple awards and is a member of Relais & Chateaux
- You can host moonlight dinners on the sand and dance under the stars
- The beach house is the definition of luxury and the perfect place to use as the bridal suite and later honeymoon suite if you wed here.
Around Town
Fabled the world over for its pure-white sand and calm sapphire waters, the blue and white symphony of Whitehaven Beach stretches for 7 kilometres on Whitsunday Island’s east coast. Whitehaven Beach is a 30-minute sail from qualia, or scenic flight by seaplane or helicopter. qualia’s Concierge can organize a gourmet picnic on the pure white sands.
Take part in qualia’s ‘Sake and Sashimi’ tastings. Embark on a journey through one of Japans oldest traditions as you pair some of the finest Sakes and Sochus with Australia’s highest sashimi grade fish. Learn how the Tsukasabotan milled rice wine stands up to the robust flavours of the Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon and why the areas very own South Australian Hiramasa Kingfish is exported to Japan for use in their finest restaurants.
Recently opened in August 2012, coca chu is Hamilton Island’s chic South East Asian restaurant. coca chu sits above Catseye Beach with glorious views of the Whitsunday Islands. At coca chu, Executive Chef Adam Woodfield brings adventurous and delicious food to the Whitsundays, inspired by the hawker food stalls of South East Asia. (Photo via Trip Advisor UK)
