Private Collection by Spicers invites you to experience some of the great holiday homes of Australia, which now takes in the crystal-blue waters of the Whitsunday Islands, with private access to Camp Island Lodge at the heart of Queensland’s world-heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

As a perfect example of Spicers’ brand of relaxed luxury in stunning locations, Camp Island Lodge, just 3km offshore in Abbot Bay, is a swirl of verdant, high land curling above the clear water, surrounded by abundant marine wildlife and only a short boat ride to the inspiring scenery, deserted sandy beaches and white coral of Cape Upstart National Park.

Each of the Lodge’s four villas can host two guests (plus four rollaway beds are available for the island if required) and are just metres from the ocean – the island will be exclusively yours for the duration of your stay, which is perfect for corporate retreats or groups of friends or family wanting their own space and privacy. Awarded the ‘Architectural Society House of the Year’ in 1988, the Queenslander-style Camp Island Lodge is designed to embrace the natural environment and connect you with the incredible location.

Surrounded by National Parks in water and on land, Camp Island Lodge offers a feast of activities, from the excitement of snorkelling with the local wildlife and unforgettable local fishing, to the back-to-nature relaxation of beach cricket and BBQs, swimming in the clear, calm water, exploring the island, or enjoying a drink by the fire-pit as the sun sinks down behind the mountains in the distance, heralding a million stars in the night sky.

UNIQUE FEATURES

For recreation, Camp Island hosts a tennis court and swimming pool, and walking tracks where you may be lucky enough to spot a wallaby, echidna, sea eagle or Torres Strait pigeon. There’s a coral bay on the island with some spectacular shells to be found, and whales to be seen as they pass by on their annual migration. Grab some of the complimentary snorkelling equipment, kayaks or stand-up paddle board and explore the spectacular coral gardens teeming with colourful fish surrounding the island.

The entire area around Camp Island is an angler’s paradise. Fish from the jetty or the shore for a host of (delicious) local species, including queenfish, mackerel, red emperor and coral trout. Hire the Lodge’s centre console boat and team up with a local expert who’ll take you to their secret local fishing spots that are not accessed by any other operator or resort and try to land some of the massive giant trevally (GTs), golden trevally and giant herring. The local creeks and nearby Burdekin River are heaving with barramundi, mangrove jacks, mud crabs and banana prawns.

ACCOMMODATION

Your party will be welcomed by the Island’s onsite hosts, who are on hand to organise activities and make you feel at home in your personal paradise. With a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, gourmands can cook up a storm or keep it as simple as you wish. It is essential to bring your own provisions – including alcoholic beverages. Your greatest assets to adorn your dinner, lunch and breakfast tables will be the incredible seafood from your daily catches.

The kitchen has all the equipment you need for your stay at the Lodge from a world of bakeware and crockery to the full range of modern gadgets, like an ice machine, Nespresso coffee machine, food processor, rice cooker, slow cooker, electric oven and cooktop, dishwasher, fridge and freezer.

Spacious and elegant, the four villas at Camp Island Lodge can host up to eight guests and each feature one king-sized bed or two extra-long singles, and are beautifully appointed with ceiling fans, luxury linens, comfortable lounge chairs and Leif bathroom amenities. Three of the villas will accommodate one rollaway each and the fourth, up to three of the four available.

The Lodge is built in hardwood, with polished timber floors and matching panelled walls and ceiling, door frames in silky oak, with large French doors and private verandas to capture the beautiful views and cooling ocean breezes.

The four villas are connected by undercover walkways to the main Lodge building with the kitchen and dining area that seats up to 12 guests and visitors, and living areas with a host of mod-cons like TV with satellite reception, books and games, DVD player and library, and a Bose portable speaker with Apple connector. The Island has good phone reception and reliable internet in the main lodge only.

LOCATION

Camp Island’s sub-tropical climate makes it warm and comfortable to visit any time of year, but the wilderness location and proximity to the ocean makes it more suitable for children over the age of seven.

Because Camp Island Lodge relies heavily on solar power for energy and is entirely reliant on rainwater, guests need to be mindful of their energy and water consumption. With sustainability a priority, the Lodge also composts all of their biodegradable waste and recycles bottles, cans and hard plastics.

You and your guests can travel to Camp Island Lodge via boat or helicopter. Road transfers are available to and from the boat ramps at Elliott River (about 20 minutes travel time), which is roughly two hours’ drive from Townsville. But surely the most spectacular way to begin your island adventure is a direct transfer from Airlie Beach or Townsville by helicopter.