Blissful reverie in the Whitsundays

By Kayla Volmar

Located on the breathtakingly beautiful and secluded Hamilton Island, off the Queensland coast, Spa Qualia has a reputation for helping its guests find their way to better health.

Indigenous-inspired treatments are a “collection of deeper sensory experiences.” Every element of them is meticulously considered for its part in relaxing the mind and spoiling the senses, including the use of completely natural Australian made products. Guests are also encouraged to consult with a naturopath to review lifestyle habits and diet as well as specific areas of interest such as detoxification, iridology, sports performance, pregnancy or weight loss.

The highlights of the spa menu are the signature experiences: Driftaway Sensory Journey and the Whitsunday Escape, each with its own secret recipe for letting the world slip away.

Driftaway Sensory Journey takes 1.5 hours and includes a full-body aromatic massage, petite sodashi facial and a hair and scalp treatment. This combination of the spa’s most popular therapies to unravel tension and revitalise the skin, has guests well adjusted to “island time” in short order. The full-body massage uses signature qualia essence oil to relax the body and the nourishing hair and scalp treatment is designed to calm the mind. The bespoke sodashi facial is customised to suit individual skincare needs and promises guests will leave looking and feeling brilliant. 

Whitsunday Escape—the essence of the Great Barrier Reef—is a blissful 3 hours. Full-body exfoliation and mud wrap, private rain shower, aromatic full-body massage, heat therapy, hair and scalp treatment, marine mineral facial and moisturisation are included. Capturing the essence of the Whitsundays, this signature treatment will engage senses with the aromas of this pristine environment and revitalize with a bamboo and macadamia exfoliant. Lost minerals will be replenished with a kaolin clay balancing body masque, and focused heat therapy will melt away areas of tension. After some “you time” in our private outdoor rain shower, flowing massage techniques will create the sense of soft waves caressing the body and the warmth of the sun on your skin. Luxuriously rich lapis crème hydrates the skin, then a deeply nourishing hair and scalp treatment is applied. Complete with a brightening marine mineral facial for ultimate radiance. 

The perfect spot for a first, or second, honeymoon
Qualia Resort has sixty one-bedroom pavilions (leeward and windward) many with views of the coral sea and the reefs. There’s a picture perfect beach house with six bedrooms, dining for ten and a separate guesthouse are set amongst native eucalyptus trees near the shore. It’s the perfect spot for a first, or second, honeymoon.   

qualia.com.au

HF RECOMMENDS…

Delicious and seasonal. Executive Mark Jensen sources the freshest Queensland produce for Qualia’s two restaurants; Long Pavilion is set high among the eucalyptus trees with sweeping views of the water and Pebble Beach, a charming spot that sits on the edge of the sand. “Talk and Taste” is a unique food and drink pairing experience to enjoy!

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