Luxury Travel Magazine, Australia
June 2005
Written by Andrew Conway, Editor-In-Chief

A very Private Retreat…

As the Nautilus Air seaplane makes its final approach to Orpheus Island, curling around rugged hills swathed in woodland and rainforest, the sweeping view below is full of promise. A long sliver of beach, framed by she-oaks and palm trees on one side and fringing coral reef on the other creates a chalk-white line between the jungle-green of the island and aqua-blue of the water. The tiny resort, with its clusters of rooms and suites extending from either side of the main reception lounge, leads to a wooden jetty with motor launches and tinnies bobbing in the water. Bathed in late Autumn sunshine, it's the sort of picture-postcard scene that can't fail to put a smile on your face.

A few minutes later, you're being welcomed on the beach like old friends by resort managers Cecily and Jeff Broadhurst, who guide you into a light and airy lunge for a swift and seamless check-in, a welcome refresher towel and fruit punch, and a brief chat about the island and all it has to offer. Then it's off to your room - in one of 17 compact but stylish Orpheus Retreats or four larger Nautilus Suites - and before you can say boo to the lime-green tree frog snoozing on your verandah, you're changed into T-shirt, shorts and bare feet and strolling on the beach.

An easy 30-minute seaplane flight, 80kms north of Townsville or 190kms south of Cairns, Orpheus Island Resort is one of those Great Barrier Reef retreats that feels like the home of a wealthy uncle - a thoroughly private hideaway with al the facilities of a top-drawer resort, and a young, pleasant and enthusiastic staff whose primary roles is to make you feel at home. With the main reception lounge as the focal point, the resort features a delightful restaurant and bar overlooking truly lovely formal tropical gardens, the beach and shimmering water, a free-form pool with swim-up bar, an island-and-reef activities hut on the beach, a lap pool and gym for those who want to keep fit during their stay, plus a tennis court, boutique, recreation room with TV, video, games and billiards table.

The Orpheus Retreats, in clusters of three, are cosy and stylish, with ensuite bathrooms, bathrobes, designer toiletries, tea/coffee plungers, CD player and aromatherapy oil burners. The Nautilus Suites are considerably larger, with a separate entrance hall, lounge, bedroom and ensuite, plus a tropical and walled outdoor shower, a guest bathroom and the same amenities as the Orpheus Retreats. While the resort has been operation for some years, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment which is very contemporary, stylish and welcoming.

Orpheus Island is a marine national park and operates a very careful and ecologically sensitive program of activities that are both thoroughly relaxing and educational with everything from picnics on secluded beaches to snorkeling, diving, kayaking, guided walks and sunset cruises on offer, or you can simply laze by the pool or on the beach and soak up the sun.

The highlight of a stay at Orpheus has to be the dining, with a seven-course degustation menu presented each evening by rising star chef Sam Ritson (with a delicious option for a candlelight dinner for two on the jetty under a canopy of stars) and an extensive wine list to match. Leaving is by far the hardest part of the marvelous Orpheus experience, but keep in the wealthy uncle's good books and you can always come back.

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