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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
One of the Most Beautiful Island Chains in Australia Just Got a New Hotel for the First Time in 2 Decades
This resort is Australia's Whitsundays Islands' first new hotel in nearly two decades. Catseye Pool Club, led by Josh and Julie Niland, serves up a rare feat: family-style dining that's as fun as it is flavor-forward. From moonlight movies to baby gear on arrival, thoughtful family touches are seamlessly built into the guest experience. Located just five minutes from the airport and within walking distance to the marina and resort center, the hotel offers easy access to Hamilton Island's best. Guest rooms are thoughtfully designed with practical features like blackout blinds, a built-in bench that converts into a bed, and a mini kitchenette stocked with curated essentials. As an American expat living in Australia, married to an Australian, and now raising our two small children, I've come to appreciate a few cultural truths. Chief among them: Aussies take their holidays seriously (they'll think nothing of flying six hours with toddlers in tow). So when I heard whispers of a new design-forward, family-friendly boutique hotel opening in the Whitsundays—a group of 74 islands along Queensland's central coast—I was on the next flight north. The Sundays is a 59-room boutique hotel perched on Hamilton Island, the only one in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport and direct service from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It is the first new hotel to open on the island since 2007, and it's already reshaping how travelers are experiencing the Great Barrier Reef—not just as a once-in-a-lifetime snorkel stop, but as the relaxed, kid-inclusive base to explore it all. Built on the bones of one of the island's original structures, The Sundays feels like the laid-back little sibling to Qualia, the famously child-free resort just across the island favored by the likes of Taylor Swift, Oprah, and Paul McCartney. The Sundays, by contrast, invites the chaos and the kiddos in, offering barefoot luxury, but with highchairs and baby monitors. It takes its name—and its attitude—from the best day of the week: slower starts, shared meals, and no pressure to do much of anything at all. Getting there was refreshingly painless. A short flight from Brisbane and, crucially, a solo one—I was part of the first group of journalists invited to preview the hotel—I stepped off the plane and into a postcard: turquoise water, palm trees swaying, cockatoos squawking overhead. The Sundays staff met me at the Hamilton Island Airport, collected my bags, and a seamless transfer had me from tarmac to check-in in five minutes flat. Technically, I could've walked—the island is that compact. Once home to the Outrigger Restaurant and Allamanda Lodge back in the '80s, the hotel has been thoughtfully reimagined by local interior designer Carrie Williams. The result is a space that feels both fresh and familiar, rooted in its surroundings, but entirely redefined. Sculptural stonework, natural textures, and sun-faded tones feel right at home in the tropics, while a meandering boardwalk connects guest rooms to the ocean. Inside, curved walls and airy, open layouts create a gentle flow throughout, while bespoke pieces by First Nations-Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg infuse the space with vibrant color and cultural richness. Every room includes either a private balcony or terrace that opens up to lush gardens or Coral Sea views. The Sundays is just removed enough to feel like a retreat, but close enough to the island's center and marina to walk (or buggy) everywhere. As Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling put it: 'The Sundays brings something truly special to the island—boutique escape that reflects the warmth and ease of Australian hospitality.' In other words: You can sip a cocktail in your swimsuit while your kid faceplants into a sundae, and nobody bats an eye. One of the hotel's biggest draw cards is Catseye Pool Club, the on-site restaurant helmed by culinary power duo Josh and Julie Niland (of Saint Peter and Fish Butchery fame). This marks their first foray into Queensland, and arguably one of Australia's most exciting culinary openings of 2025. Known for their fin-to-tail approach and Sydney's most ambitious seafood, at The Sundays, the Nilands flip the script with a menu that leans seasonal, crowd-pleasing, and delightfully family-friendly. 'I wanted to create family-style dining that didn't feel disingenuous, conducive to how a child actually wants to eat,' Josh Niland told me. For kids, that translates into build-your-own flatbreads with a selection of antipasti and charcuterie. For adults, the batter-fried wild fish tacos with bush tomato salsa and fermented pineapple hot sauce were outrageously good—more Baja than Barrier Reef. Breakfast is reserved for hotel guests (and very much worth waking up for), but the real magic happens between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. when the sundaes appear. I opted for a mix of all three options—Queensland strawberry, Daintree chocolate, and Cassowary Creek vanilla with soft cream, a waffle, and chocolate sauce for good measure. From the design to the details, The Sundays manages to fill a long-standing gap in Australian travel: a high-end hotel that welcomes kids without compromising on taste. It's not just family-friendly, it's family-forward, down to the very last sun lounger and soft-serve cone. And whether you show up with a stroller brigade or solo (as I did, blissfully), it's a welcome reminder that elevated doesn't have to mean adults-only. Here, everything you need to know about The Sundays. The view from the balcony rooms. I stayed in a balcony room that opened up to a direct view of Passage Peak. Compact but beautifully designed, it centered around a cloud-like king bed, which included a trundle disguised as a bench, perfect for children up to age 12. A small kitchenette was stocked with curated Aussie brands, a Nespresso machine, and a hidden microwave (ideal for warming bottles), along with a welcome gift of house-made rocky road candy. The bathroom featured a walk-in rain shower, stocked with Leif products, and a freestanding tub big enough for two (three, if one of them still fits in a swim diaper). Warm neutrals, tactile textures, and Herczeg's artwork kept the space feeling calm and elevated without overpowering it. Family Connect rooms offer interlinking layouts that sleep up to six, perfect for bigger broods. Behind the bed, a retractable wall revealed a generous dressing area with thoughtful storage: a wide bench for suitcases, deep drawers, hangers, and just enough extras: yoga mats, oversized beach towels, umbrellas, buckets, and spades. From Left: the view from Catseye Pool Club; the food at The Sundays. It's rare to find a hotel restaurant that feeds both your child and your inner food snob. At Catseye Pool Club, the vibe is relaxed and the menu is elegant but unfussy: dishes meant to be shared, passed, picked at, and genuinely enjoyed. 'We didn't want to make Saint Peter up here,' Josh Niland said, refering to his acclaimed Sydney seafood eatery. And it's not. Unlike Niland's more buttoned-up outposts, this one's full-on holiday mode. You can swim, snack, or settle in for a long, lazy lunch by the water's edge. Cocktails, which toe the line between elevated and playful, come courtesy of Saint Peter alum Samuel Cocks. On the plate, there are nods to the Nilands' seafood roots—BBQ Bowen line-caught coral trout and Tweed Heads Eastern rock lobster—but much of the menu is built for relaxed, share-style dining. As Josh Niland said, 'Each item is designed for the whole table, with all the trimmings.' Kids can enjoy grilled chicken skewers, fries, and a scoop of sorbet to finish. For adults, dishes like Berkshire porchetta and Bowen mud crab pies are flanked by bright seasonal sides that more than hold their own. For dessert, the flambé pineapple tart for two arrives theatrically, still warm from the oven, topped with a scoop of sugar cane rum ice cream. The pool of The Sundays hotel. Held twice weekly on the deck, the sunrise yoga classes are low on pressure and big on ocean views. If you prefer lounging to lunging, the pool at The Sundays is exclusive to guests and has daybeds, cabanas, mild water temps, and cocktails. The hotel sits just steps from the Hamilton Island Resort Centre, where The Sundays guests have access to tennis courts, a bowling alley, additional pools, a gym, and Spa Wumurdaylin, a wellness sanctuary that makes up for The Sundays not having its own wellness area. For the more energetically inclined, complimentary paddleboards, kayaks, catamarans, and snorkelling gear are available to rent. For something unforgettable, book the Journey to the Heart helicopter experience. The $1,400-per-person flight soars over the Great Barrier Reef's iconic heart-shaped coral formation before landing on a private pontoon in the middle of the ocean for a guided glass-bottom boat tour and snorkelling session. It's very Bond-fantasy meets The Blue Planet , and absolutely worth the price tag. I also joined a Cultural Island Discovery tour with Ngaro guide Robbie Congoo, which was a memorable experience in the company of someone deeply connected to the land. We cruised aboard a private vessel to nearby Hook Island, explored ancient rock art sites, and ended the day with gourmet canapés and drinks infused with native Australian ingredients. The Sundays make traveling with kids feel—dare I say it—easy. Evenings kick off with moonlight movies on the deck, where family-friendly flicks are screened under the stars with bean bags and popcorn. Just next door, there's a brand-new playground for post-breakfast energy releases and the Clownfish Kids Club, open to children aged six months to 12 years, staffed by professionals who make the AUD 80 rate for a half-day feel like a bargain. A full day is AUD 160 with activities ranging from face painting to wildlife park visits. To lighten your load (and your suitcase), The Sundays also offers a range of baby gear on request: portable cots, highchairs, diaper bins, strollers, and more. The building's bones were repurposed, and the hotel incorporates eco-conscious materials and systems throughout: smart cooling, energy-efficient LED lighting, and bamboo-lined ceilings. Even the tapware is locally made and lead-free. Accessibility has been handled with the same level of care. Three dedicated accessible rooms, a pool lift, and shaded, wheelchair-friendly cabanas ensure all guests can enjoy the space in comfort. The Sundays sits at the northern end of Catseye Beach, an arc of white sand on Hamilton Island. Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, it's about as close to remote paradise as one can reasonably reach by direct flight from Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne (all under two and a half hours). The island is also a prime launching pad for two of the region's must-do experiences: Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. For travelers coming from the U.S., the simplest route is via Sydney or Brisbane, with a same-day connection straight to the island. No cars are allowed on Hamilton Island, so guests can get around on foot or by buggy or shuttle. The hotel itself is perfectly positioned: just steps from the Hamilton Island Resort Centre, offering shops, cafés, and restaurants. While The Sundays isn't part of any loyalty program or premium credit card booking platform, there are still ways to unlock extra value. The Hamilton Island website is your best bet as it features offers and exclusive island-wide deals. You'll also find curated recommendations on where to eat, what to do, and insider tips. Nightly rates at The Sundays start from AUD 891/night ($577). Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Pilot's last manoeuvre may have prevented second helicopter tragedy
A military pilot's last-second evasive manoeuvre likely saved four lives during a catastrophic Army helicopter crash in the Whitsundays, a new investigation has revealed. Captain Danniel Lyon, who died alongside co-pilot Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Phillip Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs, managed to avoid a mid-air collision despite losing control of his MRH-90 Taipan, according to a 228-page report by the Defence Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB). The crash occurred on July 28, 2023, during Exercise Talisman Sabre, when the Taipan, call sign Bushman 83, plunged into the ocean off Hamilton Island while flying in formation with three other helicopters. The DFSB concluded the primary cause was spatial disorientation, with Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Nugent becoming disoriented for 21 seconds before impact. However, in the final moments, Captain Lyon rolled the aircraft to the right, diverting it from a potential collision course with Bushman 82. 'During the two and a half seconds after the pushover, (flight data recorder) analysis indicates that the relative distance between the two aircraft decreased from approximately 100 metres to 50 metres,' the report said. 'In response to this increasing closure, it is likely (Captain Lyon) acted to avoid a potential mid-air collision with BSMN 82 by executing an avoidance turn to the right.' The report found Captain Lyon's action, taken while the aircraft was 'unrecoverable', likely prevented further loss of life. Cockpit audio captured a calm and focused exchange between Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Nugent just seconds before the crash. 'It's getting dicey,' Captain Lyon said five seconds into a left-hand turn through rain showers. Moments later, he told Lieutenant Nugent, 'I'll just get around the corner for you mate … while we're dealing with the rain shower.' As they climbed, Captain Lyon asked: 'Have you still got em?' referring to the aircraft ahead. Lieutenant Nugent replied, 'Yeah, still get em mate.' Investigators believe this exchange marked the moment Captain Lyon lost visual contact with the Bushman 82 helicopter. He then began climbing through poor visibility and attempted quick manoeuvres to regain sight of the aircraft, rolling sharply right and then left. Neither Captain Lyon nor co-pilot Lieutenant Nugent appeared to notice a critical change in the aircraft's pitch, from nose-up to nose-down, as their helicopter climbed above the rest of the formation Unaware of the aircraft's downward attitude, Captain Lyon pitched down further, inadvertently pushing the aircraft into a fatal nose-down descent. In the final seconds before impact, Captain Lyon recognised that his plummeting helicopter, Bushman 83, was on a collision course with Bushman 82. Despite knowing his own chopper was unrecoverable, he took immediate evasive action, rolling sharply to the right in a final act that likely saved the lives of the four crew aboard Bushman 82. Bushman 83 hit the water at 10:36:25pm, travelling at 259km/h. The four men were killed instantly. The DFSB noted that fatigue likely contributed to the spatial disorientation. Both Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Nugent had been sleeping in tents at Proserpine Airport in the days prior and waited inside the aircraft for two hours before takeoff. The investigation also assessed whether the TopOwl 5.10 helmet, criticised in test reports for its inverted pitch and roll displays when pilots turn their heads, contributed to the crash. The helmet was described by Army test pilots as a 'substantial risk of multiple deaths', but the DFSB found it was 'very unlikely' to have caused the disorientation in this instance. 'While both AATES and Standards Section test and evaluation reports agreed that there were deficiencies relating to attitude presentation, the two agencies disagreed on the severity of the hazard,' the report said. The DFSB made 46 recommendations, including improvements to fatigue management, minimum night flying altitudes over water, and better training for spatial disorientation. The Defence Aviation Authority has accepted all recommendations. The report is one of the most complex aviation investigations conducted by Defence. Separate probes by the Inspector-General of the ADF, Comcare, and the Queensland coroner remain ongoing.
