Hamilton Island Introduces World Class Golf Course and Yacht Club

HAMILTON ISLAND the location of Tourism Queensland's much publicized "Best Job In The World" initiative, has plenty of other news to talk about, not least of which is the launch of two new world-class experiences within the next six months. These new developments and other initiatives are detailed below:

• Peter Thomson designed 18-hole golf course to open mid 2009
• State-of-the-art, multi-million dollar yacht club and luxury villas to open
• New Executive Chef appointed to manage qualia restaurants
• New activities - quad bike adventure tours and jet ski tours
• Reef View Hotel's extensive refurbishment completed

PETER THOMPSON DESIGNED 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE TO OPEN MID 2009
The Hamilton Island Golf Course, a 6,083 meter, par 71 course featuring unparalleled panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands from all 18 holes, has been designed by Peter Thomson AO CBE and five-time British Open winner.

With over 40 years experience in golf course design, Thomson and his partner Ross Perrett, a planner and landscape architect, work together under the banner "Thomson Perrett". Together they have established a reputation for designing high quality golf developments throughout the world including Asia, the UK and Australia. Thomson has already predicted that The Hamilton Island Golf Course will become one of the world's best courses as it has been designed not only with resort guests in mind, but also with a view to challenging professional golfers.

The tee complexes take into account big hitters as well as club and resort golfers, and the tees that produce shorter distances to the greens have been carefully positioned so that they preserve the challenges of each hole, making them as enjoyable as the long tees.

One of the features of the course, over and above the five-minute boat ride from Hamilton Island to get to the course, is the assimilation of the playing area with the native vegetation which is also a requirement of the environmental planning agents. As a result, the fully manicured greens and fairways will be in stark contrast to the hardy and sometimes harsh natural terrain.

STATE-OF-THE-ART, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR YACHT CLUB & LUXURY VILLAS TO OPEN
Hot on the heels of the fourth Sydney to Hobart win for Bob Oatley's "Wild Oats XI" will be the opening of the multi-million dollar Hamilton Island Yacht Club and Luxury Villas. Developed in partnership with famed yachtsman Iain Murray and designed by renowned Australian architect Walter Barda, the Yacht Club will feature a stunning pre-weathered green copper roof with a distinctively sail like shape.

Glenn Bourke, Hamilton Island CEO said, "Whether it's for recreation, socialising, relaxing or executive business, Hamilton Island Yacht Club is destined to become a signature Australian location."

The three-level venue will offer state-of-the art facilities for corporate events and weddings, as well as a contemporary restaurant, alfresco bar and casual dining precinct open to the public. Private dining rooms and a wellness facility, including a 25 metre indoor heated pool, will also be available to members.

As part of the complex, a luxury 35 villa resort is being built adjacent to Hamilton Island Marina. Using natural timbers and sweeping lines, Barda's vision for the villas is to capture an informal ambience and beauty that makes the most of the unique setting as the villas curve elegantly around the Dent Passage waterfront.

The creation of the Yacht Club and luxury villas is greatly anticipated as Hamilton Island is already home to award winning "Audi Hamilton Island Race Week", Australia's premier sailing regatta now in its 26th year.

In preparation for the openings, Michael Saville has been appointed to the position of General Manager to oversee both proceedings. Highly regarded in the hospitality industry, Michael has worked most recently as General Manager of the Q1Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast.

Prior to that, Michael worked with many well regarded brands including Peppers, Sebel and Intercontinental. Particularly relevant to the opening of the Golf Course is his experience as General Manager of the Heritage Golf and Country Club in the Yarra Valley, Victoria and the adjacent Sebel Lodge.

NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF APPOINTED TO MANAGE QUALIA RESTAURANTS
qualia, Australia's newest world class luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef featuring 60 pavilions, a gym on the water's edge, two pools, a stunning library, spa, helipad and boutique, has appointed a new Executive Chef. Jane-Therese Mulry will manage qualia's two restaurants, the informal "Pebble Beach" and the elegant "Long Pavilion".

NEW ACTIVITIES - QUAD BIKE ADVENTURE TOURS AND JET SKI TOURS

REEF VIEW HOTEL'S EXTENSIVE REFURBISHMENT COMPLETED
This four-star property featuring the largest standard sized rooms in Australia, now boasts a new 35 meter pool, a new restaurant, bar and reception area, whilst all the rooms and suites have been upgraded.

Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia - natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna.

Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, bars, pools and shops, not to mention over 40 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney,Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities.

"Audi Hamilton Island Race Week", Australia's premier, award-winning sailing regatta, is now in its 26th year. This prestigious week-long yachting regatta attracts thousands of sailors and yachting enthusiasts each August. It is one of the most competitive racing forums in the Southern Hemisphere and is the largest offshore sailing regatta in Australia. Over 170 yachts from around the world compete daily in a number of divisions on different courses.

Hamilton Island is proud to be Tourism Queensland's major partner in the global search for a candidate to fulfil the 'Best Job in the World' - Island Caretaker for the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Hamilton Island will be the home base for the Island Caretaker who will be responsible for discovering and promoting the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and instilling the desire for travellers from around the world to visit Queensland.

The Island Caretaker will enjoy six months in an oceanfront luxury villa on Hamilton Island from where they will swim, snorkel, bushwalk on the wonderous Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and report back on their adventures via blogs, video diaries and media interviews to a global audience.