Planning a luxury vacation to Australia often centers around picking the right destination — the specific locale, resort or city that will define the experience on this beautiful continent. Among the most highly-spoken-of destinations is the Angsana Great Barrier Reef Resort. Angsana is a world-spanning and award-winning series of luxury destinations, and its Great Barrier Reef location in Cairns is among the most beautiful of its offerings.

The local color is amazing and beautiful to behold. Angsana is set among two of the greatest beauties in the natural world: the Queensland national rain forests on land and the Great Barrier Reef in the ocean. Both are the setting for a number of activities, ranging from diving among the coral to seek out the astonishing tapestry of life beneath the waves to locally-guided luxury SUV tours into the woods on bird spotting and picnicking adventures.

The facilities are top notch, beginning with the residences. Suites can be had in sizes for one, two or three guests, and come in a variety of layouts and styles to delight people of every inclination. Swimming pools, including a heated jet pool, are available for those who want a pleasant swim on the premises. Food ranges from exquisite restaurant-prepared meals to a poolside barbeque for those seeking just a touch of informality among the beauty. And, of course, there are activities near and far to be enjoyed.

The resort is open for the spring and summer seasons, catering to a beach-going, sun-soaking crowd that wants nothing more than warm weather and lovely sea breezes. Bookings are available for people who simply want a private place to enjoy their own company and some comfortable activities, or romantic getaways and weddings. Whatever brings you to Angsana, there is plenty that will make you want to stay.

Let’s face it — the ultimate luxury travel vacation is the one where a holidaymaker can get away from absolutely everything and everyone. The Synergy II’s specialized reef cruises offer just such a luxury.

The Synergy II is a grand example of the high-class catamarans that have come to define luxury escape sailing. Sixty-two feet long with a unique external and internal visual style, it’s a dreamboat beyond compare, offering superb comfort and excellent sailing characteristics that make it an ideal choice for yachting enthusiasts. Further, it is 30 feet wide, or abeam. This makes it sit very comfortably in the water, offering a very stable experience that allows for the maximum of comfort and enjoyment without being tossed about or rocked without warning.

Its catamaran construction also gives it a shallow draft, sitting very close to the water without sitting too deep inside it. This makes it ideal for touring Australia’s gorgeous reefs. The ship is in no danger of taking damage where other ships would, so travelers can get right up close with some of the more gorgeous marine environments Australia has to offer. Spectacular and subtle views alike are available to guests on the craft.

The Synergy II can be rented out for day cruises around the reef or for longer, chartered excursions. And, of course, the food and wine provided on the craft are outstanding, representing some of the best varieties of each available in Australia. Last but not least, the skippers of the craft are very comfortable with their charges, and are quite often very eager to share their experiences. The navigation and handling systems are readily explained, and guests frequently find themselves invited to take a turn behind the wheel of the Synergy II, guiding the ship amid the gentle, lovely waters of the Australian seas.

Luxury, a high-class lodge, access to the beach, rainforest surroundings — Thala Lodge in Port Douglas offers something for everyone, and is one of Australia’s premier 5-star-rated luxury destinations available. Known as the Island on the Mainland, it’s situated within easy access of Port Douglas itself and the Barrier Reef, meaning there are a host of tours, walks, talks and relaxing activities to get up to, no matter what the inclination of the guests.

The lodgings at Thala are first class luxury bungalows, with individual setups for each vacationer rather than a single large hotel. Furnishings and bathing fixtures are outstanding and high quality, meaning the time spent indoors will be spent in absolute comfort without compare. Views are spectacular too, facing either the nearby Barrier Reef beaches and the fresh sea breeze, or toward the rainforest-enshrouded mountains and greenery that isn’t easily found anywhere else on earth.

The surrounding scenery is wonderful to behold, home to all sorts of natural wildlife such as butterflies, Australia’s many species of birds, possums and sugar gliders alike. Facilitating access to these sights and sounds are the many paths that wander along the surrounding countryside near the bungalows, meaning a grand nature tour is never further than a guest’s own front door.

Last but not least, everything at Thala is done with the highest of ecological standards in mind. Wildlife specialists are on staff to make sure that guests can interact safely and with low impact with the flora and fauna around the lodge. Tours are available explaining the many steps Thala takes to be a low-imprint facility existing in concert with its surroundings, rather than intruding on them. The resort proudly maintains certification to the highest of eco-consciousness standards.

So if you’re of a mind for a vacation that is beautiful, comfortable and ethically considerate of the environment, there is no better choice than the Thala Beach lodge near Port Douglas.

The Great Barrier Reef is the iconic scenery piece for an Australian luxury vacation. There’s really nothing quite like it in the world. Beautiful pale blue waters that are clear all the way down to the ocean floor, gorgeous coral and island structures above and below the water and clear fresh air that’s a sheer joy to take in. The reef is an impressive and captivating sight from any angle, and to get the most of the experience it needs to be seen from up high as well as close up.

This is where inexpensive yet luxurious helicopter tours come in. Helicopters are an excellent way to see the reef, allowing a flexibility that cruises or plane trips don’t quite offer. This is because of the helicopter’s ability to hover: A pilot can fly hundreds of feet up, letting passengers take in the vast sweep of the reef and see just what its scale involves before lowering down to a few dozen meters above the water, showing the clarity and the depth of the sea from up close and personal. Tours are easily arranged for half-day or full-day excursions, allowing them to be tailored into any traveling experience.

Helicopters for tours are often very comfortable as well, easily accommodating luxury seats and allowing crews to bring along refreshments for island stopovers on the way. So whether you only have a few hours or a whole weekend to spare, adding a high-class helicopter tour of the Great Barrier Reef to your plans is a sure way to take home memories that will never be forgotten.

The smell of the sea air, the sight of the sun lowering against the water on the horizon, the beautiful sea life and the sound of waves lapping against the hull — these and many others are the reasons that the yacht is iconic of the most in luxury travel packages. Being an island nation, Australia is home to a number of luxury yachts that can be chartered for cruises around the shoreline. Whether the guest desires a few hours around Sydney harbor or a weeks-long sojourn about the coast, there are tours that can be suited to their wishes and desires.

Sydney harbor is a favorite destination for many holidaymakers, and those seeking a lovely tour are no exception. The shoreline of the harbor is unique, as it hasn’t been overwhelmed with urban development like the shorelines in other major cities. Instead, much of it remains open as ever to nature and the sky, with gorgeous features that can allow for either a short guided tour of the beautiful sights, or a quiet long drift about the waves, with lunch and dinner provided as the day trails on.

Of course, there are other destinations as well. One spectacular choice is the Darwin to Broome journey, a trip that takes an extraordinary three weeks to complete, with destinations and layovers along the way. Beautiful days in the sun and the sea are interspersed with stops at some of Australia’s most beautiful coastal cities, with local surprise wonders and the legendary Australian cuisine to be sampled in equal measure. This kind of journey and others like it is an amazing experience that is just the ticket for a proper Australian escape. Most of all these longer journeys show the ways in which a luxury cruise can be the whole vacation in itself, rather than tied on to a separate vacation package.

The Angsana Resort at the Great Barrier Reef is the perfect Australian all-inclusive luxury vacation spot for those who want to experience the adventure and beauty of the Reef as well as the relaxation and tranquility of a luxury spa.

Angsana, which is in Palm Grove, is nestled only 20 minutes to the north of Cairn, Australia. It provides you with the perfect Australian luxury vacation if you are a nature lover. You need only turn your head to see the world’s most spectacular coral reef. The Great Barrier Reef offers you the chance to snorkel in its wondrous clear waters as you gaze at various species of fish indigenous to the region. The crystal-clear beaches surrounding the Coral Sea will take you right to the Great Barrier Reef.

Angsana is the only resort in Palm Grove that will give you all the privacy you could ask for during your Australian luxury vacation. If you feel like taking a little hike, you can trek in the world’s oldest rainforest. For those that prefer to explore and have a little excitement during their Australian all inclusive luxury vacation, you will love whitewater rafting. There is no shortage of excitement to be had at Angsana.

After you finish with all of the adventures of the day, enjoy a tranquil stay at Angsana’s spa where you will be pampered — mind, body and soul. Once you taste the delights of the region’s best foods and wines, you can turn in for the night and relax in your suite that is fully equipped with all of the modern amenities. You can’t find genuine luxury and excitement like this any other place else in the world.

A visit to the beach is an almost mandatory part of any good Australia adventure vacation. Fresh air, gorgeous sunshine, fun people to meet, swimming, diving, surfing and sunning all await the beachgoer in Australia — and there’s even more to the ideal beach experience waiting in the amazing archipelago called Whitsundays. A chain of small islands along the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays is an outstanding place to either relax indulgently or to explore exciting new opportunities. Whatever your taste, absolutely everything can be done at Whitsundays’ many beaches.

For those looking for a comfortable place to relax, the beaches of the island are fringed with dozens of palm trees. It isn’t hard to find a nice spot to unwind; what’s hard is choosing from the sheer variety of inviting spots all around the beaches. Alternatively, for those who prefer a bit more interaction and entertainment, beach parties and barbeques are a common sight on the white sands of Whitsundays. There’s always someone fun to meet and share a story with while waiting for some expertly-cooked food to be served.

Stretching a bit further out from the beaches, there’s the Barrier Reef itself. Whitsundays is known for its clear aquamarine waters, and is home to some spectacularly beautiful wildlife that can be scouted. Ships are available for those who want to view the gorgeous sites from above, while others can be rented for a snorkeling or diving experience that lets the eager adventurer get up close and personal.

The long and the short of it is that the only people who couldn’t find something to do on Whitsundays are those who aren’t trying very hard. This little island chain is perfect for a solo adventure or a romantic getaway, and putting it on the list of vacation spots is definitely a must for anyone who wants to experience a whole range of activities instead of focusing on one specific part of Australian vacation life.

If you are looking for a 5-star resort experience for your authentic Australian luxury vacation package that offers you both a beach and a rainforest setting, Thala Beach Lodge is the right spot for you.

The moment that you step off of your plane in either Cairns or Port Douglas, you will be whisked right in between them to a beautiful beach nature lodge that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s an island on the mainland that boasts luxury accommodations that are close enough to the Great Barrier Reef that you can explore it every day if you would like. Its private bungalows offer you amazing views of the beach or the rainforest — whichever suits your fancy.

This amazing Australian luxury vacation package was built to suit all tastes, so that every member of your group will find something amazing to do during their stay. If you love the beach, you are surrounded in white sand and clear water — every beachgoer’s dream. The best thing about this beach is that it is surrounded by amazing rainforest mountains.

For the outdoorsy nature lover, there is a 145-acre natural forest that plays home to many rare and unique species of animals that are indigenous to the area. Good news if you consider yourself a “tree hugger,” because Thala was specifically designed to make a minimal impact on the natural environment so as to leave the area’s ecosystem undisturbed.

At Thala, you also have access to touring specialists who do their best to satisfy your every need. You can choose to take advantage of nature and wildlife walks, bird watching, participate in a coconut odyssey or opt to lounge around and go stargazing. There is never a shortage of fun things to do at Thala during your Australian luxury vacation. If none of these things grab your attention, the Great Barrier Reef is close by so that you can go snorkeling or just to sit back in awe of one of the world’s most spectacular destinations.

For many travelers, the main attraction to taking an Australian beach vacation is to visit the amazing Great Barrier Reef. People come from all over the world to explore the famous corals and landscape at the Great Barrier Reef, and now this luxurious vacation spot offers the best luxury travel available in Synergy II Reef Cruises.

The Synergy II Reef Cruise boat is a 62-foot sailing catamaran, personifying the best luxury beach travel that you can get. This is a yacht man’s ideal high-performance vessel. Synergy II is an exclusive luxury boat that offers you an amazingly beautiful, high-end journey around the Great Barrier Reef in the comfort of total relaxation.

The Synergy II is located in the tropical oasis village of Port Douglas, which is in North Queensland. You will get to travel both the Great Barrier Reef and be witness to the oldest living and functioning Rain forest on Earth, the Daintree. This scene is truly unique and one that you cannot experience anywhere else on the planet. If you are more interested in the waters themselves, this amazing Australia beach vacation also lets you see up to 1,500 different species of fish and 460 varieties of coral. It is a beautiful sight.

When you want the best luxury travel, the pampering that you and guests will receive aboard the Synergy II Reef Cruises is unsurpassed. Some of the high-end amenities you can expect to find aboard Synergy II include gourmet meals that are served al fresco, featuring some of the region’s best, as well as fine champagne from a fully-stocked bar among other spirits and beers. Just about anything that your heart can desire can be found aboard the Synergy II.

This is a state-of-the-art getaway for the luxury traveler that wants to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and its beautiful surrounding scenery in a calm and peaceful manner. You can choose Synergy II Reef Cruises as a group traveler or you can use it exclusively for gatherings of a corporate nature or to entertain friends and family. The Synergy II is simply the best luxury travel for those that want spa-like relaxation while witnessing the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Spectacular accommodations are an important part of the finest Australian luxury vacations. Travelers who want the very best in high class creature comforts and enjoyable activities would have a hard time doing better than the outstanding Hayman Villas. Proudly calling themselves one of the leading hotels of the world, Hayman is an ideal destination for the sharp-eyed, keen-minded vacationers intent on getting the absolute most out of their Australian vacation experience.

The facilities are divided up by wings, with each wing situated according to a particular view or setting. The retreat wing is set among the local flora, showing off gorgeous plant and tree varieties. The pool wing naturally overlooks the Hayman’s pools, while the Lagoon wing has a view of the Lily Lagoon and gardens. The beach wing overlooks neighboring islands. Penthouses are set among each wing, as well. In short, there’s a vista and a setting for people of every taste and inclination.

Hayman also offers fine dining experiences, boasting nine different types of cuisine for their guests to choose from. These include local seafood, European, Mediterranean and Oriental menus, as well as dining in kitchen-specific locations, mingling at the Pool Bar or relaxing in the Club lounge. In addition, much of the food is supplemented by the very best choices from the famous local Australian wines.

Of course, there is plenty else to do besides relax and eat at the Hayman. There’s a full-feature luxury spa, allowing patrons to indulge their physical and mental health to the utmost, including revitalizing treatments for the body and soul alike. The resort also has a fully-appointed golf course and offers a host of water-based activities centered on the nearby Great Barrier Reef, including swimming lessons, diving opportunities and the chance to kayak along the seas.

Hayman Villas truly has something for everyone who comes to visit this fine resort. Whether intending a solo vacation to relax and escape a busy life or a romantic getaway following a whirlwind courtship, travelers will not go wrong in adding this wonderful location to their itinerary.