Alert the group chat, because we’ve just discovered that there’s an island smack bang within the middle of the Great Barrier Reef and it’s available to rent in its entirety. And for less than $170 per person, per night.
Camp Island is located in the northern Whitsundays and positioned within the heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef marine park. The island is spacious with lush greenery, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters ripe for snorkelling.
It’s easily explored on foot, and accessible via a short boat ride from Elliott River, Guthalungra, which is but a two-hour drive from Townsville airport or 90 minutes from Prosperine airport. Private transfers by boat, seaplane or helicopter can also be arranged.
When guests arrive, they are free to make their way around the entire island. It’s their’s entirely for the duration of a stay, and while the island itself presents rugged, untouched terrain, the luxurious Camp Island Lodge is anything but.
Comprised of four deluxe villas, each with its own ensuite, each bungalow is accessed via undercover walkways that connect to the main lodge space, whereby the dining, lounge, outdoor spaces, and fully-equipped chefs kitchen sit.
Guests are welcomed to bring their own foods and drinks, however special breakfast, lunch and dinner hampers can be ordered, while those after a super luxe experience can even hire an executive chef for their stay to whip up fresh seafood whenever you like.
Day trips to the reef and fishing expeditions can be organised, but there’s plenty on the island itself to keep guests occupied. We’re talking about complimentary use of kayaks, snorkelling equipment, stand-up paddleboards and tennis equipment.
Guests are free also to use the pool, set off of walking tracks, watch out for local birds and wildlife, or kick back by the beach alongside a bonfire.
Now for the nitty-gritty: the rates. You’d expect an inclusive and luxurious private island stay to cost an arm and a leg, but exclusive use of the island and its facilities is surprisingly affordable.
With a two-night minimum stay, a mid-week visit to Camp Island will set you back $1,300 a night. Divide that by eight, for the number of guests allowed, and your party is looking at $162.50 per person, per night. And a weekend stay isn’t much more! At $1,500 a night, that’s still only $187.50 per person, per night. WILD.
Don’t sleep on this one. It’s just a matter of time before the rest of Australia figures out this incredible deal.
Book your stay on Camp Island now.