Orpheus Island Resort - Great Barrier Reef
Property Information:
Located on the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Townsville, Orpheus Island Resort is a romantic coral fringed hideaway. Situated in it's own National Park, Orpheus caters for the discerning traveller seeking quality accommodation and experiences in a natural, relaxing and rejuvenating environment.
Your holiday at Orpheus Island commences the moment you board the seaplane in Townsville or Cairns to travel over the unbelievable blue waters and enchanted isles rising from the Coral Sea beneath. As soon as you arrive you will know nothing but tranquillity, nature and beauty exist in this unspoilt paradise. Without the intrusions of telephones, televisions, day-trippers, nightclubs or children under 15 years, Orpheus Island is your exclusive retreat offering premium service and total seclusion.
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RESORT FACILITIES:
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DINING
Degustation Menu
Tailored for the gourmet lover the award winning cuisine at Orpheus Island Resort is one of the true highlights. Each evening you will indulge with a seven course degustation style menu allowing you to sample a wide array of different flavours.
Seafood Dining with the Tides Experience
Guests can now opt for a new "Dining with the Tides" experience. Seafood lovers can indulge in our "Seafood Dining with the Tides experience" while dining under the stars on the island's private jetty. Listen to the waves lap the shore, watch a magnificent sunset and feed the varied marine life that glide underneath you.
Stylish Interactive Dining
Every Saturday Night
This unique dining experience begins with the Executive Chef hosting an intimate wine and cheese tasting. This consists of a selection of 6-8 Australian cheeses and premium boutique Australian wines. Guests taste, discover and recieve a commentary on each cheese.
The General Manager then introduces a selection of boutique wines, discusses their region and blend. These exquisite wines can only be bought directly from the cellar door thus giving you to discover and enhance your own wine collections.
This is then followed by an indulgent "Orpheus Wok Night". Here you get to select your own blend of ingredients and watch as the prepares your own creation. They are proud of their local region and offer a lot of local produce during this evening.
Canape Class with Executive Chef
Orpheus is now offering canape classes hosted by their very own Executive Chef. The class begins with an introduction about the origins of the canape dating back to the 18th century. During the class, our Executive Chef demonstrates 3 to 4 examples. After this - it's time for you to create your own culinary delights.
High Tea at Hazards Bay
Take a short stroll up to the Lookout to enjoy a scrumptious Orpheus High Tea whilst overlooking Harzards Bay. In an area that is often prime viewing for passing sea and bird life, indulge in home-made treats including scones, sandwiches and freshly baked biscuits with a selection of tea and coffee.
Sunset Cruise
Duration - 1½ hour
Another perfect way to end an awesome Orpheus day. Join the resort management team as you cruise out into Hazard Bay to witness the sun setting over the Australian coastline. Relax and unwind as you are served pre-dinner nibbles and sip endless glasses of champagne .. The ultimate romantic indulgence!
PICNIC HAMPER
Imagine a lazy day in paradise on your own private beach with a picnic hamper with time to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. It's all yours at Orpheus Island Resort.
Orpheus Dinghy Adventure
This is your opportunity to be the master of your very own vessel, to explore the many picturesque bays and beautiful beaches around Orpheus Island’s shores.
Order your tropical picnic hamper packed full of scrumptious island food, and explore places like South Beach excellent for beachcombing, or feed the abundant fish at Yanks Jetty, or take a hike to the stone ruins on the ridge behind Pioneer Bay, or discover the fantastic coral structures in Cattle Bay …… or simply relax soaking up the ambience on your own secluded beach.
If you would prefer not to take command of these wonderful vessels, then you can still take advantage of these experiences using our drop off service to a destination of your choice.
LUXURY CATAMARAN
Orpheus Island Resort is proud to announce the acquisition of a new purpose built boat. Named Orpheus, the vessel is a beautifully appointed 32 foot Cougar Catamaran with a comfortable cruising speed of 21 knots (39 kph) and top speed of 40 knots (74 kph)
Equipped with a toilet, shower, and canopy with ample shade, Orpheus assures a comfortable day on the water. The vessel is capable of carrying up to 12 guests to the outer reef, and up to 18 guests in the sheltered waters around the Palm Isle Group.
The new vessel provides access to several new local snorkel and dive sites. Additionally, for AUD $250 per person, guests may opt to board Orpheus to embark on a full day trip to the wonders of the outer reef. Spend the day swimming, snorkelling, diving and lounging in the sun, whilst being tempted by our sumptious picnic hamper lunch. Rate valid till 31 March 2010
Orpheus ... Cougar Catamaran
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Accommodation Information:
Great Barrier Reef resort accommodation like no other ... a combination of luxury hotel facilities, unrivalled cuisine, expert attention and natural wonders set Orpheus Island apart from the crowd.
Sophistication, Indulgence ...
The accommodation at Orpheus is sophisticated and inviting – all just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. You will be unobtrusively looked after in unpretentious comfort – with minimal fuss and maximum care.
The Orpheus Retreat rooms are a studio style and come complete with their own private patio and personal spa
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The Nautilus Suites are very spacious offering a huge private patio, separate lounge and bedroom area and personal spa.
Room Amenities
All 21 rooms contain the following amenities and facilities
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Location Information:
There are no forced activities at Orpheus Island, but plenty for you to do. Imagine a lazy day in paradise with a picnic lunch on your own private beach with time to snorkel enjoying an amazing array of tropical fish and coral. For the more adventurous, why not take a day trip to the outer reef, take a scuba dive, or discover the island in your own motorised dinghy. Alternatively, you can do nothing at all and just relax and unwind by the pool. The options are endless. One certainty is that at Orpheus you will find your perfect escape.
ACTIVITIES
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GETTING THERE
The Great Barrier Reef
Orpheus Island is a true Great Barrier Reef island, located 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Townsville and 190 kilometres (120 miles) south of Cairns and is 24 kilometres (15 miles) offshore. Orpheus Island stretches for 11 kilometres (7 miles) and comprises of 1,368 hectares of pristine National Park.
Scenic Flight Transfers:
Townsville: We operate a daily scheduled service from Townsville across to Orpheus Island Resort. All flights depart from Gate 10 in the Townsville Domestic Terminal.
Cairns: We operate a daily service from Cairns across to Orpheus Island Resort. Orpheus will arrange and book Qantas flights between Cairns & Townsville to connect with the Townsville seaplane service. Qantas & seaplane flight details will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Passengers are requested to be in the departure lounge, with their luggage 40 minutes prior to the scheduled flight.
Pricing:
| Ex Townsville: | Ex Cairns: | Mixed Ports: | ||
| Transfer Time: 30 mins One Way: $250.00 Return: $450.00 |
Transfer Time: 60 mins One Way: $425.00 Return: $850.00 |
Return: $650.00 | ||
| Daily Seaplane Flight Schedule: | ||||
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Valid: 1 April 2009 until 31 March 2011
Queensland National Park - Orpheus Island
Orpheus Island is a true Great Barrier Reef island. The surrounding waters contain what is regarded by experts to be some of the best coral on the entire Barrier Reef. In 1960, the entire island of 1,368 hectares (11 kilometres in length, 1 kilometre in the widest area) was declared a National Park and a little later the surrounding waters were declared part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The resort is the only privately owned area. Including the main beach in front of the resort, Orpheus has seven beautiful, sandy beaches.
There are three clear walking tracks within the national park. Being a national park we can not cut further tracks, but it not a difficult trek over the majority of the island. The resort offers various guided walks.
Wildlife
The island's native mammals are mostly nocturnal and you can sometimes see these foraging around the restaurant during the early morning or late evening. Echidnas, bandicoots, harmless brown and green tree snakes, green tree frogs are common in the rainforest, woodland and around the resort.
Many types of birds can be found on the island. Orange-footed scrub fowl's distinctive call may be heard at any time, day or night. A few examples of others you may see whilst you are on the island:
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The resort offers various nature interpretive activities on the local flora, fauna and wildlife.
Viewing of the Giant Clam in their natural environment can be done by snorkelling. The island's fringing reefs are best explored by snorkelling or diving. 1,100 species of fish and 340 of the 350 known species of reef coral can be found in the underwater gardens of the islands several sheltered bays. The channel at the southern point of Orpheus is believed to host the reef's largest range of soft corals. The fathomless wonders of the Outer Reef are just a boat charter away.
CLIMATE
Their location in tropical Queensland on Australia's north-eastern Coast allows visitors to enjoy the benefits of Queensland's idyllic tropical weather at all times of year.
Summer Seclusion
Below is the average weather pattern for the Orpheus region.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average temp (Celcius) | 31.3 | 30.9 | 30.6 | 29.5 | 27.5 | 25.5 | 25.0 | 26.0 | 27.6 | 29.3 | 30.7 | 31.3 |
| Average temp (Farenheit) | 90 | 88 | 88 | 86 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 80 | 82 | 86 | 88 | 90 |
| Average Rain Fall (mm) | 270.5 | 291.8 | 194.0 | 70.5 | 36.4 | 20.4 | 13.6 | 17.0 | 10.5 | 26.0 | 60.9 | 131.4 |
| Average Rain Days * | 14.4 | 15.8 | 12.9 | 8.0 | 6.2 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 10.0 |
| Average Wind Speed (km/h) | 19.2 | 17.7 | 18.7 | 19.9 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 19.2 | 21.4 | 23.2 | 22.9 | 22.3 | 21.5 |
* Rain Days is the average number of days in which some form of rain falls
The Tropics
As shown, their climate lends itself to lazy strolls along a sun drenched beach, a dip in the sparkling waters, and a cool long drink at the bar gazing out to the waters in the distance... and refreshing walks during tropical showers which cool the winding paths down before a relaxing evening at dinner ...
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