Latest news with #WhitsundayIslands
Times
34 minutes ago
- Times
The biggest lesson from my mini gap year with my son
Yesterday at the Great Barrier Reef was always going to be a tough act to follow, physically and emotionally; we had scattered my son's ashes there. However, on day six of our gap-year-in-one-week my younger son, Rider, and I check out of the stylish Sundays hotel, heading to the marina for the appropriately named Reef Ryder — Hamilton Island Watersports' half-day, super-fast cruise. There is snorkelling off Chalkies beach, Haslewood Island, before hopping over to Whitehaven beach, Whitsunday Island, for more swimming and staring in wide-eyed wonder at the loveliness of it all. Rider snorkels at Chalkies, but I miss meeting a giant sea turtle by opting to hunker in the shade, contemplating our 'journey' thus far. Because it really doesn't matter how far you travel (and it's 9,721 miles from Heathrow to Chalkies beach), the cliché is true: you take yourself with you. For Rider and me, the challenge was not to 'escape' our grief at the death of his older brother, Jackson; that would be — will always be — impossible. Instead these extraordinary shared experiences are a temporary sticking plaster while we make more permanent memories. Which conceivably helps us to move forward, carrying our grief. Since Jackson left us many of those who miss him most profoundly are using his 21 years of abundant energy, charisma and zest for life as fuel to see us through the rest of our lives. Personally, after Jackson's death and my partner's recent cancer surgery I have also shrunk my universe to fit, to cope. Here, however, I sense it gently expanding again. And that feels good. At Hamilton Island's marina, it's a five-minute walk from the Reef Ryder Rib to the ferry taking us back to the mainland. There, at Airlie Beach — formerly a backpacker pitstop, now moving upmarket — we'll spend our final two nights in separate rooms (much to Rider's relief) at the pretty Coral Sea Resort hotel, situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the bay. In fact the rooms are very comfortable apartments with yet more gorgeous views. And breathe … Rider wanders back into town to explore and I take the rest of the afternoon off — decamping to the poolside bar for a Caesar salad and a mocktail, accessorised by a good book. Which, in turn, segues into sunset cocktails and poolside dinner at the hotel's Coral Sea Pavilion restaurant with Rider. We have one more shared adventure in the diary tomorrow, and although packing so much into our days has been exhilarating, it has reminded me that I'm not 18. My head and heart are always up for new experiences — hungry for them even — however my body is also keeping the score. As a result I occasionally feel fragile and exhausted — yet why on earth wouldn't I feel every minute of my 61 years when the last two have been so brutal? That night happily we both have the deepest and most relaxing sleeps of our trip. Our final scheduled outing also sounds suitably relaxing: Red Cat Adventures' trip to Cedar Creek Falls with rock pool swimming followed by a 'chillout session at the Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill' is right up my alley. Unfortunately at the Red Cat office in Airlie Beach we're told that this trip doesn't take place on Mondays. I've entirely lost track of the days of the week, but I take their word for it — and I'm happy to clock off early. Nonetheless I can also see Rider's crest falling — as can the (charming, British) staff member at Red Cat: 'Mate, how do you fancy jet-skiing?' I happen to know this is a box Rider is keen to tick and while this is our last full day together I'm very happy to bale. 'Go,' I say. 'I'm really enjoying my book.' In truth you couldn't get me on a jet ski if you paid me. Two hours later I spot jet skis shooting across the bay and have to avert my eyes. I've always tried hard not to be the kind of 'helicopter' mother who worries about young men pushing their physical boundaries — even without the benefit of a joined-up prefrontal cortex. Indeed I never was that mother until September 20 , 2023. A policeman arriving at the front door at 1.45am to tell me that my son was dead ensured I am capable of catastrophising depressingly fast these days. It's a relief when Rider eventually returns, wearing a smile as wide as the Great Barrier Reef. 'That was the best. Thing. Ever. Our guide was the coolest bloke.' He pauses … 'His name is Jackson.' While travelling together, Rider and I have learnt that you can feel simultaneously blessed and cursed, and that navigating life's extreme light and shade remains hard work. Nonetheless sharing this past week with my son has been a privilege. Courtesy of my Aussie parents, Australia has been a home from home for me for a lifetime; now it is Rider's happy place too. 'Mum — it's been incredible.' Thirty-six hours later and we're back in Brisbane airport. Rider's off to spend a month at a Muay Thai martial arts boot camp with some of his brother's friends in Thailand — where it will be his dad's turn to 'crash' our son's gap year. And though there's still an hour before his flight, after a final hug he says — gently but firmly — 'And now you can leave.' So, reluctantly, I do. Because here's another thing I've learnt the hard way: if you really love them, somehow you find the strength to let them go. Kathryn Flett is spending a month travelling in Australia. She was a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland ( The Coral Sea Resort has B&B doubles from £176 ( • Kathryn Flett: Should I crash my son's gap year?• Kathryn Flett: Yes… I crashed my son's gap year. Here's what happened• Kathryn Flett: Me, my son and the gap year I crashed: what's working (and what's not)• My mini gap year in (probably) the most extraordinary place on Earth
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hamilton Island Race Week: A look back at iconic event celebrating 40 years in 2025
From Prince Frederick of Denmark to boyband popstar Ronan Keating, comedian Magda Szubanski and socialites galore — when it comes to the who's who of the party scene — one Aussie island has seen it all. Hamilton Island is cemented as one of the country's most popular places to holiday — especially if you have a young family in tow — but for a week each year spanning the past four decades, 'Hammo' transforms into a world of glitz, glamour and of course … a major sailing event. Hamilton Island Race Week first emerged in the mid-80s, and while the week has since exploded from a modest gathering to drawing some of the world's major heavyweights — this year is tipped to be the biggest event yet. Think champagne, multi-million-dollar yachts, iconic views and luxurious lunches galore — Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said the winter event has set off over the decades to become one of the most sought after of the year. 'Race Week started in 1984 with a bunch of mates who loved sailing, who knew the secret of the unspoilt Whitsunday islands, who loved the challenge of the southeast trade winds and Great Barrier Reef tides, and who loved the camaraderie of time on the water,' Mr Dowling told 'In those early days, it was all about the racing – and a few post-race beers with your crew and rivals. In 1984, 93 boats turned up for the first series. Race Week has since grown into a real spectacle and, today, we welcome around 200 yachts from across Australia and around the world – from high-performance Grand Prix yachts to family cruisers.' But while the likes of Olympians and even King Frederik IX of Denmark has taken part in the annual event, Mr Dowling said the events off the water have seen the biggest transformation. From cocktails and canapes to candlelit dinners extending into the night — guests come for the spectacle both on and offshore. 'Over the years, we have had the privilege of welcoming some of Australia's most celebrated chefs – names like Josh Niland, Kylie Kwong, Danielle Alvarez, Will Cowper, Guillaume Brahimi, Peter Gilmore and Matt Moran – all of whom have elevated the onshore experience and turned Race Week into a proper feast for the senses,' he said. But while the week may give the impression of glitz and glam, Mr Dowling said the week-long event is the perfect time for anyone to visit — especially those seeking a winter escape. 'What makes Race Week so unique is its accessibility and appeal to everyone – from the superyacht-set to the mums and dads, whether you're racing, spectating or simply soaking up the atmosphere with a glass of wine and a magic Whitsundays view,' he said. 'Sailing remains at the heart of Race Week, but today it's complemented by world-class food and wine, live music and entertainment, and a full social calendar that brings Hamilton Island to life.'
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
2023 Australian chopper crash caused by pilot disorientation
Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Huon conduct search operations in the vicinity of Lindeman Island, Queensland. Photo: Supplied/ Australian Department of Defence An Australian military helicopter crash that killed all four crew members was caused by the pilots becoming disoriented, a report found Wednesday. Four military aircrew were on board the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter when it plunged into the sea close to the Whitsunday Islands during a multinational military drill on the night of July 28, 2023. The chopper had been taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercise, which brings together 30,000 military personnel from Australia, the United States and several other nations . Australia's Defence Flight Safety Bureau report found the helicopter was waiting to land, flying in a holding pattern with "degraded" viability. During this time, the pilots "almost certainly lost visual sight" of the other aircraft. The helicopter began an "inadvertent and unrecognised climb" to 110 metres before it crashed into the ocean. The main reason for the crash was "a loss of spatial orientation", also known as spatial disorientation, the report found. "This refers to a situation where a pilot is unaware of their actual orientation in relation to the earth's surface and the surrounding environment," the Australian Defence Force said in a statement. "This aviation safety investigation was one of the most complex conducted by Defence in recent history." The investigation did not seek to place "blame or liability" on any individuals or organisations, it added. The report made 46 recommendations to the Defence Force, all of which have been accepted. The Taipans, which have had a troubled history , were already due to leave service at the end of this year, with the Australian military switching to Black Hawks. - AFP
