I say honeymoon, you say qualia. I’ve lost count of how many friends have called out qualia as their bucket list honeymoon destination. Well, after spending a few days at Hamilton Island’s five-star resort, I now know why. So here is a “One Of A Kind Honeymoon At qualia!”

Image: qualia & Luxury Lodges of Australia

First things first, the honeymoon is the icing on the cake of the big day. It’s the reward after all the hard work, the encore to the amazing show that is your big day. It gets to be whatever you want it to be. For many, that’s a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-million special few days.

qualia ticks all those boxes on the list fast. It has the intimate setting, the exclusive address, and the rockstar accommodation all sorted. But most importantly, it’s built around an incredible location. Hamilton Island truly steals the show. Sure, the private plunge pools help, but at every turn, you’re met with the big, beautiful blue of the Coral Sea looking out to the Great Barrier Reef. Let’s not forget that comes with the lush verdant greenery of tamed rainforest garden. This is the best kind of luxury – you have a front-row seat to soak up a very special part of the world. And that plays a big part in designating this one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. You can’t stay at qualia without forming a connection to this special part of the world.

Images: Lisa Perkovic

Now, that doesn’t mean you need to leave the resort. We spend a blissful 24 hours in our Windward Pavilion. We perch on the edge of the plunge pool watching the yachts pass by. I run the bath so I can watch the sunset whilst soaking. We breakfast on the deck, so we don’t miss a minute of the local birds waking up. There are a few reasons to leave, but for a sweet 24 hours, we have nowhere to be.

Image: qualia & Luxury Lodges of Australia

Image: Lisa Perkovic

The next day though, it’s time for an adventure. Journey to the Heart is the appropriate name for this three-hour tour of an extra special spot on the Great Barrier Reef. We board our helicopter bright and early, zipping over the island and out to the reef in time to watch the clouds leave us with a sprawling azure blue sea dotted with coral bommies. We circle in low over the heart-shaped reef that is nature’s extra-special surprise for the romantics among us. From the air, it’s a magic moment. Landing at the Heart Island pontoon, exclusively available only to our tour, and hopping in a boat, we see the heart from the sea. It’s a different perspective very few will get the chance to soak up. After a quick snorkel of the sheltered reef-ringed lagoon, we celebrate the occasion with champagne. It’s a pinch-yourself moment.

Image: qualia & Luxury Lodges of Australia

Image: Robbie Josephsen

Image: Lisa Perkovic

Back on dry land, we’re perched in front of qualia’s beachside pool, books in hand, palm trees swaying above. This is bliss at its best.

Image: Jason Loucas

Image: qualia & Luxury Lodges of Australia

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.

Lisa was a guest of Luxury Lodges of Australia and qualia.