Staying in the Great Barrier Reef: Inside Australia’s Pelorus Private Island
Relax with endless amenities at this exclusive solar-powered and sustainable resort in the Palm Island Group in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: Pelorus Private Island, which debuted in January. Just off the coast of Townsville, Queensland, this 400-hectare isle accessible via helicopter or private yacht and is surrounded by fringing reefs, where guests can snorkel from the island shore to discover the underwater Eden of corals, foliage, and marine life.
Guests stay in the residence, a modern, spacious lodge of whitewashed shiplap and wooden shutters, simply furnished with low-slung seating, a well-stocked bar, and padded loungers surrounding a beachfront solar-heated pool. Several communal dining areas and spaces on the verandas are perfect to retreat in the shade or play a board game such as Scrabble, backgammon, or chess. The Pelorus palette embraces white and natural wood throughout the lodge and its five suites, each with unforgettable views of the surrounding white coral sand beaches and azure waters.
Four suites feature cathedral ceilings with ceiling fans and air conditioning. All include king beds fitted with Italian linens and oversized chairs facing the sea and a private balcony. Ensuite bathrooms tiled in Palladian limestone are equipped with a GHD hair dryer, GHD straightener, and LaGaia toiletries infused with Australian botanicals and minerals, and suites include yoga mats and refillable water bottles. The fifth suite can be used for staff travelling with guests.
Meals are included, prepared in an open kitchen by chef Grant Logan, who customizes menus to accommodate guests’ favourites and preferences. His specialties are artisanal bread and seafood. A native of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, who has worked on private yachts in the Mediterranean, Logan can create tempting dishes influenced by ports of call around the world.
Cocktails, beer, and wine reflect the bounty of vintages and ingredients that can be locally sourced. Coffee is made in a Gaggenau machine, and the chef can conjure up meals inspired by the teppanyaki grill, Green Egg barbecue, and Ooni pizza oven.
Activities include sunrise yoga, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, fishing, and Schiller water bikes. Excursions such as private jet ski island tours, charter boat cruises, and tours of Hinchinbrook Island or Orpheus Island Research Station (depending on weather and tides) are also available.
The Great Barrier Reef where the island is located is well-known for diving, and experienced guests can have a private tour of the nearby John Brewer Reef to visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). And after a day of exploring, custom-designed massages are a welcome way to relax before a night gazing at the star-filled skies.
Photography by Jason Lerace.
