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2011

07

Dec

Travel Information

Category: Uncategorised

Travel by Air:

WHITSUNDAY COAST airport near Proserpine is 35 kms ( approx 35 minutes ) from Airlie Beach. A Whitsunday Transit bus meets every flight and will drop you at the door, it is cheaper to purchase a return ticket. Whitsunday Shuttle Service also provide an airport to our door service, this needs to be prebooked. Taxis are available, if there are three or more people a taxi is an economical proposition, you may be able to share a taxi. Hire cars and limousines can be pre booked to meet you.

HAMILTON ISLAND airport is next closest option. Two companies operate Ferry services from Hamilton Island Airport wharf :

Cruise Whitsunday's come to Able Point Marina in Airlie Beach, a shuttle bus connects with the ferry and will drop you at our door or there are taxis. Due to licensing by the owners of Hamiliton Island it is required that guests electing to use the direct ferry service to Able Point book prior to their arrival at Hamilton Island Airport. You can do this through your travel agent or your accommodation provider we are happy to arrange this for you.

Fantasea Blue ferries connect Hamilton Island Airport wharf to Shute Harbour

From Shute Harbour there are taxis or a bus to Airlie Beach about 10 Kms.

Otherwise you can take a bus to the harbour on Hamilton Island and then a Blue ferry to Shute Harbour, this option allows you to look around Hamiliton island but make sure you know the departure time of the last ferry

Island Air Taxis offer a service from Hamilton Island airport to a small airport just ten minutes from Airlie Beach. This is a lovely option as you get to see the islands and their surrounding reefs from the air

MACKAY AIRPORT is 150 Kms south of Airlie Beach, the easist way is to hire a car Avis,Hertz,Eurocar and Thrifty have deops in Airlie Beach.

Otherwise you can fly by Island Air Taxis or hire a car. There are also coach services from both Mackay Airport and downtown Mackay.  www.greyhound.com.au

Enjoy a scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands as you transfer from either Mackay Airport or Hamilton Island Airport to Airlie Beach. Island Air is the fastest and most convenient airport and island transfer option.

Travel by Rail:

QUEENSLAND RAIL run regular services from both north and south to PROSERPINE, a Whitsunday Transit bus meets every train and will drop you at our door. It is cheaper to purchase a return ticket if you are continuing your journey by train.

Travel by Coach:

There are regular coach services from both north and south to Airlie Beach.

Travel by Self Drive:

AIRLIE BEACH is 1146 kms north of Brisbane and 640 kms south of Cairns and 24 kms east of Proserpine. The turn off from the Bruce Highway is just north of Proserpine.
From the turn off it is about 25 minutes drive, just before Airlie Beach , as you go up the hill you will see Able Point Mariner on your left.At the roundabout  take the next turn right before you enter the village itself, into Waterson Road.1st right again into Airlie Cresent, we are 300 meters up the hill on the right overlooking Able Point Mariner.

Can We Assist?

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist with local transport. We are happy to book taxis be they road or air on your behalf.

However you travel we hope you enjoy your journey through our lovely countryside. Please ask us about planes, trains and automobiles, we can tell you of our guests experience- just write to us .

Dress Code:

Dress is casual even at night. Bring light cloths, include a swimming costume, a wrap for the beach or island cruising, a jumper for a cool evening or sailing, Also a wide brimmed hat, sunblock at least 15+ and sand shoes or sneakers

2011

07

Dec

Rooms

Category: Uncategorised

Comprising of two stylishly appointed studio apartments opening onto your private terrace adjacent to lush gardens, an inviting swimming pool and magical views of Abel Point Marina and the Coral Sea.

Breakfast is served on your private terrace, where along with the bird feeding, we offer freshly squeezed juice, tropical fruit, cereals, choice of hot entree's of the day, eggs, bacon, fresh bush tomatoes, breads, homemade jams, choice of teas or filtered coffee. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, relax, be pampered and amazed with the backdrop of the Marina and gardens. Should you wish an early start to the day, we are happy to arrange breakfast to suit your plans.

Each Apartment contains either a double or queen bed with seperate double sofa bed and crisp, starched linen. Also featuring a large kitchen with facilities to make light meals.

• Rooms are serviced Daily
• Fresh linen provided
• Air-conditioned
• Ceiling Fans
• Satellite Television
• Ensuite with shower and featuring Gilcrest & Soames Toiletries
• Hairdryer
• Alarm Clock radio
• Use of laundry with ironing facilities available in room
• Microwave Oven
• Refrigerator
• Complimentary selection of teas and coffee
• Glasses, crockery, cutlery etc
• Computer for e-mails available
• Wireless connection for guest laptop

At the end of the day come home, take a dip in the pool, relax over a cool drink and watch the boats return to the marina below. Or you may prefer to order a take away a meal or prepare your own and settle in to watch a movie in the comfortable lounge of your apartment - the choice is yours! We are happy to assist you with any plans for the day, help you book tours with our local knowledge, and generally make you feel at home. Our wish is that your stay is enjoyable and memorable, and we will look forward to welcoming you back again.

2011

07

Dec

Press Comments

Category: Uncategorised

Article reprinted courtesy of The Australian

PETER Brooks cautions me not to follow the example of another journalist and say he's the image of Tony Benn, the British left-wing politician. ``I don't think I look anything like him'' (he does). Nor must I say he wanders around town talking about nothing but cricket (he concedes there's possibly a grain of truth here).

Bristol-born Brooks left England more than 30 years ago but retains the accent and gentle charm of a well-bred Pom. He started Whitsunday Moorings B&B at Queensland's Airlie Beach after retiring from ``the big smoke'' Sydney -- nearly three years ago

His double-storey property enjoys a dress-circle location overlooking Able Point marina and its cluster of bobbing boats. There are just two apartments, opening on to their own terrace to take advantage of the location. There's even a small pool with inviting hammock alongside. But it's the attention to detail that surprises for such a small operation. He may be a long way from Blighty, but Brooks likes to do things correctly. Breakfast, for example, is served on ``freshly laundered white damask cloth with damask napkins, silver and Wedgwood''.

The food lives up to the tableware: along with cereals, juices and fruit, there's homemade whisky and mandarin jam, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, buck rarebit (like Welsh but with poached eggs on top) and a ramekin dish baked in the oven (this needs a little prior notice -- the electricity supply in Airlie is not all it could be, apparently). It's not only breakfast with a view, it's breakfast with the birds: squawking lorikeets flash by, coal-black butcher birds patrol the fringes ready to devour any unattended food (butter's their favourite) and bald-headed brush turkeys strut by. The meal is served at any time guests desire -- Brooks says his pet hate with B&Bs before starting the business was that breakfast time was invariably set to suit the hosts rather than visitors. The apartments include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite TV, hairdryer, settee, kitchen with microwave and tea and coffee-making facilities. Plus -- hotels could learn from this -- a jug of fresh milk in the fridge.

About 70 percent of guests are from abroad: the three couples who stayed before me were from Germany, the Netherlands and South Africa. Brooks still has fond memories of an American woman who arrived with 10 suitcases -- ``I know, I carried them''. He lives upstairs and there's a hallway dividing the apartments, so privacy's not a problem. I'm presented with a door key in case I'm planning a late night (I'm not). Given the scale of breakfast, it would be interesting to see what sort of operation dinner would entail but it's B&B only. This isn't a problem since there are 40-plus eating establishments in the 500m strip that comprises Airlie Beach's main center.

Probably the best part of a stay is kicking back on the terrace with a sundowner watching the boats return to the marina after another hard day in the Whitsundays. Just don't mention Tony Benn. Barry Oliver traveled courtesy of Queensland Tourism and Whitsunday Moorings B&B. Checklist Whitsunday Moorings B&B, 37 Airlie Crescent, Airlie Beach, Queensland 4802; phone (07) 4946 4692; www.whitsundaymooringsbb.com.au.

Tariff: B&B is $125 per night for a couple; singles, $115. Last night free on a seven-night stay.

Getting there: Proserpine airport is a 35-minute drive; Hamilton Island airport is about 30 minutes by water taxi. Both are served by Qantas.

Checking in: Mainly professional couples and overseas visitors. Stepping out: Airlie Beach center is a 300m walk; trips to the Barrier Reef or sailing the Whitsundays depart from Shute Harbour, 10km away; most operators offer free pick-ups from Airlie.

Brickbats: BYO alcohol (this could be a plus in cost terms); Older visitors might not enjoy the walk up the hill from town.

Bouquets: The view; the breakfasts