Long Island is close to the mainland and one of the prettiest Whitsunday Islands. The Island is a national park with 13 kilometres of graded walking tracks across the Island, leading to beautiful secluded beaches, dramtic headlands and dense bush areas. This is the island that you dream of.
Long Island is about 9 km long and at its widest point about 2 km wide, although there are places where it is hardly more than 200 m wide. There are three established resorts on the Island, one of which has just undergone a major refurbishment and another has recently completed a soft refurbishment of the resorts rooms.
Idyllic secluded retreat that offers perfect tranquillity to a small number of guests wanting to get away from it all. Relax under the palm trees on the white coral sand beach or spend the day waterskiing, parasailing, island hopping, cruising, playing tennis or exploring the twenty kilometres of bush walks through Long Island.
Paradise Bay, located at the southern end of Long Island is inaccessible to day visitors and it caters for a maximum of twenty guests only. Guests have the opportunity to explore the surrounds by yacht, see dolphins, turtles, hundreds of species of birds and tropical fish, goannas and wallabies.
Palm Bay and Happy Bay are the nearest safe anchorages to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour and therefore a popular spot for yachties.
Palm Bay Resort
Palm Bay Resort is a luxury resort comprising of twenty five individual and tastefully furnished guest rooms. Distinguished by the items that it lacks, Palm Bay Resort is the tranquil escape characterised by Long Island (Whitsundays) unique accommodation villas, suites and houses that are ideal for couples, individuals or families.
There are three types of rooms available at Peppers Palm Bay. Cabins are standard rooms with a queen bed and ensuite bathroom, while Bures are ‘deluxe rooms’ and also feature a lounge room. Bungalows (suites) contains a queen bed, a day bed, a large ensuite bathroom and separate living area. Two bedroom Bungalows are also available.
At the resort, you can fill your time with relaxing in the heated spa, or by the pool. Canoes and paddle skis are available for your use at the resort, or enjoy a game of tennis on the flood lit tennis courts. A DVD library is featured at the resort – perfect opportunity to curl up on the lounge and enjoy.
Elysian Retreat at Paradise Bay
Elysian Retreat at Paradise Bay is a family owned and operated, adults only, boutique island retreat located in the Whitsundays where you can relax in your own piece of paradise, surrounded by national park rainforest and a private beach.
Nestled on the southern tip of Long Island among lush, tropical gardens with a rain-forest covered mountain as a backdrop, Elysian is a soulfully crafted oasis ecologically designed to inspire, with just 10 beautifully appointed unforgettable air-conditioned oceanfront island villas.
You’ll enjoy an all inclusive service – fine wine, relaxing ambience, and fabulous conversation with fellow guests from around the world – all in a stunningly beautiful natural environment. All you have to do is relax in paradise!
The bungalows are large and comfortable – designed and built in 1999, they are beautifully crafted from solid Australian hardwood, with high cathedral ceilings, and a huge front window displaying uninterrupted water views. With all natural materials and polished wood finishes, the rooms have a unique natural ambience. Each contains a king size bed, comfortable furniture, private bathroom, and solar lighting.
Uninterrupted views of the turquoise water of Paradise Bay from your luxurious king size bed. The verandas are all carefully positioned for absolute privacy, so you can’t even see your neighbours.
Long Island Resort – Club Croc
Long Island’s Club Croc has been closed for several years, and was recently purchased with plans to redevelop the property into a high-end luxury resort.
What was Club like before it closed? Just a short walk over the hill from Palm Bay, this family-focused resort might as well be on an entirely different island. This was not the place to commune quietly with nature, because the resort focused on outdoor activities, particularly on water sports such as jet skiing and windsurfing.
Since 1934, the original resort where Club Crocodile was situated, was simply called Happy Bay. In January 1994, Club Crocodile purchased this magical Island resort and named it Long Island – Club Croc and its charm had been taking guests’ breath away ever since until it closed.
While the no-cost kids’ club for children ages 4-14 was meant to enable the adults to enjoy their leisure time uninterrupted, the club was adjourned from noon to 5 PM, which means there were lots of little ones running around. Air-conditioned beachfront and garden-view rooms have en suite bathrooms and private balconies; budget lodge rooms were fan-cooled and had shared facilities.
Getting there
You can get there by flying direct to nearby Hamilton Island Airport from most Australian cities and transfer to Long Island by water taxi or ferry. Or fly to Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast Airport, travel by coach to Shute Harbour, and then by ferry to Long Island. Seaplanes are also available to Palm Bay from the Mainland.