Hamilton Island & The Great Barrier Reef

Sydney is a perfect venue from which to base yourself and, after what Im sure was one of the most restful sleeps known to man, I headed back to the easily-accessible airport for a short domestic flight on Jet Star (Australia's wonderful low cost airline) to Hamilton Island (located just off the coast of Queensland - and a short distance from the Great Barrier Reef).

One of 74 Whitsunday Islands and exclusively owned by the Oatley family, it's an intimate, relaxing island that offers everything you dreamed of when you were back in the UK's fantastic weather, stunning scenery and gorgeous food - as well as the opportunity to try out a wide array of activities including a trip to the barrier reef.

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From the moment I arrived one of the first things to grab my attention was the distinct lack of cars - so expect to board one of the hundreds of cute little golf buggies that are available to rent all over the island. I grew particularly fond of them when faced with the steep climb to One Tree Hill, with its spectacular sunset views across Hamilton Island and beyond.

I stayed at the five-star Beach Club Hotel, located on the beautiful Catseye Beach. The location couldn't have been better and, dare I say, peaceful - the hotel is a child-free zone so you'll have no little ones running beneath your feet. And I wasn't going to argue with that! From the second I got to the hotel I felt like a VIP, thanks to the exceptional staff who were constantly on hand to make sure that my stay was as special as it could be. One of the major benefits of the Beach Club Hotel was their chauffeur service that I used at every opportunity. Jump on the back of their buggy, tell them where you want to go and you're off. It was a simple and brilliant idea. If relaxing in the hotel's infinity pool isn't enough, there's access to complimentary watersports and the nearby gym and spa. I also discovered that my room key was all I needed to eat out or buy items in the stores lining the port. You can leave your wallet in the room and simply charge everything back onto your final bill with the hotel. But be warned, it can be easy to forget just how much you're spending when you're out, and I wouldn't want you to be left with a shock when you come to check out... I decided to book a sunset cruise on the Banjo Paterson. When the time came to set sail the weather wasn't exactly what I'd call ideal, but by the time we made it out of the harbour we were treated to an unbelievable electrical storm in the dramatic skies above. So alongside the complimentary champagne and nibbles it proved to be a trip well worth taking and really set me up for dinner back on the island. You can't visit the Whitsundays without taking time to visit the Great Barrier Reef and that's exactly what I did, booking a day's excursion with FantaSea Reefworld. After a relatively short sail we were greeted by the Reefworld jetty which was to be our home for the day. Set in the heart of the barrier reef it gives visitors the chance to experience the reef up close and personal. And don't worry - the company pride themselves in ensuring these visits don't have a negative impact on what is one of the world's most beautiful sights. There are numerous dives and snorkelling sessions taking place throughout the day and if you don't fancy getting wet (despite being at sea!) you can experience the reef by taking a trip on their semi-submersival vessel. I opted to dress up in a hilarious yellow stinger suit and be taken on a guided snorkelling tour with one of their marine biologists, and I'd heartily recommend it. One thing I failed to do was buy a disposable underwater camera because the views beneath the surface are something you'd definitely want to capture on film.

The highlight of my day was the ten-minute helicopter ride above the reef which gave spectacular views you just wouldn't get any other way. Despite the cost it's something I'm sure you'd remember for a long time.

If you're looking for a quick thrill then I'd definitely suggest booking a ride on the Jet Ryder. Zooming around the island at top speed, with regular 360-degree turns is nothing short of fantastic. You'll get absolutely soaked, of course, but you'll have a permanent grin on your face.

Whitehaven Beach is a must-see for the purest white sands and crystal-clear ocean which was voted as one of the top ten beaches in the world.

Points worth noting:
The Whitsunday's enter their rainy season early Jan-April so I would recommend taking this into account when making your booking.