Qualia Resort Hamilton Island, Australia

On the northern tip of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Qualia is one of Queensland’s most serene and beautiful escapes. The idyllic resort has had no-expense-spared, and all 30 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds exude elegance. It is perfectly located to enjoy the stunning Whitsunday Islands and also to explore the the Great Barrier Reef. The opportunities for anglers are seemingly endless with world class inshore, offshore and shallow reef fishing locations.

High-end Tropical Luxury

Qualia’s 60 exquisitely appointed pavilions sit perfectly harmoniously in their tropical setting. Set among the eucalyptus trees, both the ‘Leeward’ and ‘Windward’ Pavilions have been handcrafted from timber and stone and have a distinctive style with interiors inspired by nature. All pavilions have an outdoor deck with ocean views, some with private plunge pools and guests have electric buggies in which to explore the island. Qualia Beach House is a private fully equipped villa with full size swimming pool and guest house, perfect for larger parties or those wanting the ultimate in pampered privacy.

The two restaurants provide fresh and innovative menus – the Long Pavilion offers fine dining with modern Australian cuisine in an elegant setting. Pebble Beach is located on the pebble shores of the Coral Sea and offers relaxed lunches with aromatic flavours of the South Pacific region. Both restaurants focus on local and national produce wherever possible and the emphasis is on healthy organic, simple and delicious dishes.

The onsite spa at Qualia offers an extensive range of treatments designed to capture the essence of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. The six treatment rooms are designed to catch the sea breezes and take in the views of the Whitsundays.

As well as exploring the island by buggy, guests will find paddleboards, kayaks, hobie cats and snorkelling gear. Other options include boat rides to enjoy diving, island hopping, beach picnics and idyllic sunsets over the Whitsundays.

Endless fishing opportunities

Due to Hamilton Island’s unique location anglers have a huge variety of fishing options, whether looking for a half-day charter or for multiple days on the water. Conventional tackle is the norm in this part of the world, but those looking to try with the fly will also get close to some amazing fish too.

Inshore options allow anglers to explore some of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays. These islands offer spectacular scenery, stunning white sand, and most importantly plenty of fish to target. It is not unusual to find big GTs, large schools of queenfish and tuna activity. In the shallower water it is possible to sight cast to indo-Pacific permit, solo bonefish and more. The island creeks also offer the possibility of barramundi.

The offshore fishery offers anglers the chance to target large pelagic species including giant black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, and sailfish. There will also be shots at big tuna, giant trevally and many other open water species. The boats are well set up for conventional anglers but fly anglers can also have shots.

The Great Barrier Reef offers stunning fishing experiences and the colourful coral reef provides life to a huge swathe of ocean. The shallow water offers numerous reef species from emperors to coral trout and tusk fish. It is also possible to find various trevally species, smaller tuna, bumphead parrotfish and Napolean wrasse hunting the clear waters.

The required boat sizes to reach many of the fishing areas does limit day anglers’ fly fishing potential but it is possible. Conventional methods will offer the most in terms of species variety and location.

Luxurious Seclusion with Resort Benefits

Whilst Qualia offers luxurious seclusion, its location on Hamilton Island means that guests can venture out and enjoy the island resort facilities.

The tastefully designed Hamilton Island has more of a coastal village feel about it. There are a number of restaurants, cafés and bars to enjoy a variety of flavours. The island also has a range of shops, a golf course, wildlife centre, and numerous hiking routes.