Palm Bay Resort Whitsundays

The self-catering Palm Bay Resort is a tropical paradise surrounded by the blue Coral Sea and Long Island reef, with golden sands on one side and a pebble beach on the other. To the north and south are jungles full of cockatoos, parrots, and wallabies. The resort itself consists of a scattering of bungalows and villas that range from rustic constructions to modern houses with sleek floor-to-ceiling glass. Some of the smaller residences do not have their own kitchen and there is a large open kitchen with stove burners and gas grills underneath a pergola, plus a big, airy dining area with a fireplace in the middle. Set in a terrace shaded by palms is a swimming pool with a rocky waterfall feature at one end, and a hot tub at the other, though many guests opt to take out the free kayaks instead. The resort attracts tourists looking for a serene getaway, which the lack of Wi-Fi and TVs contributes to. 

The resort is one of a few buildings on Long Island, which forms part of the Whitsundays, an archipelago just off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea. The nearest town is on Hamilton Island, while on the mainland, the nearest built up area is Prosperpine. It is these two towns that have the area’s airports. From Prosperpine Airport, guests need to make their way to Shute Harbor, where the resort can arrange a water taxi, sea plane, or helicopter to pick them up, or there are charter boat services around the archipelago from Hamilton Airport.

The 25 bungalows and villas at the Palm Bay Resort vary in size and decor, though all are contemporary and attractive. The simplest Beach Front Bungalows and Bures are pretty whitewashed clapboard constructions with woven rugs and plenty of richly varnished, carved teak wood on show. Bures are studio residences, with a single room that has a double bed and an ornately patterned counterpane, a dining table that seats two, and a small couch next to a coffee table. Larger Bungalows have a separate lounge with a kitchenette that includes a microwave and sink. They both have modern bathrooms with walk-in shower cubicles, as well as a shady veranda with rattan furniture and hammocks. Larger houses have huge kitchen and living areas, and wrap-around terraces -- though views of the water may be partially obstructed from trees. All villas have kettles, mini-fridges, and AC, but no Wi-Fi or TVs.

The Palm Bay Resort has a list of amenities aimed at guests looking to relax as much as those looking to explore the Coral Sea and the Whitsundays archipelago. A pleasant swimming pool has a waterfall feature, built-in hot tub, and deck lined with loungers under umbrellas. The spa offers treatment rooms for massages and wellness therapies, and there are plenty of secluded spots to lounge around. Alternatively, the resort has some kayaks, pedalos, and snorkeling equipment that guests can borrow for free, as well as fishing gear. A tennis court is also on-site. Long Island is a Rainforest National Park, and there are walking tracks that criss-cross the island. 

There's no restaurant here and most of the villas at the Palm Bay Resort don’t have their own kitchens. Instead, there is a large communal kitchen with ovens, stoves, and barbecue grills, which gives guests a chance to mingle with fellow residents. There is a small bar, and a well-stocked grocery store, although guests recommend shopping in a supermarket before crossing the water to the resort. The resort does not have Wi-Fi, for better or for worse.