THE NORTH’S HONEYMOON HOT SPOTS COME ON DOWN TO PARADISE
PRINCE Harry has finally announced his engagement to Meghan Markle with a wedding planned for next year.
Now the big question is: Where will they honeymoon?
If North Queensland tourism operators have their way, it would be right here.
The newly engaged couple have gushed about their love of travel after a romantic getaway to Botswana.
It’s that sense of adventure and search for privacy that could pit North Queensland as a real contender for a postwedding break, according to Townsville Enterprise Tourism and Events director Bridget Woods.
“We definitely think an offthe- grid, digital- detox holiday would be very appealing to the royal couple and we would love to help them with an itinerary,” she said.
“We’ve got Orpheus Island, the coral caves at Wheeler Reef, Yongala wreck dive. They could stay a couple nights at the Hidden Valley cabins past Paluma, which is an amazing experience, or you can’t get any better privacy than the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island.”
TEL launched the # Hands UpforHarry campaign in 2015 in the hope of persuading the young royal to choose Townsville for a tour of duty with the Australia Army, when he was a British officer, but he chose Darwin.
Cobbold Gorge Tours marketing manager Glenda Daly said after hearing of the couple’s love for camping, she believed an Outback adventure would be right up their alley.
“I think they would love to get out into the Far North and outback Queensland’s big blue skies and peacefulness,” she said.
“We have amazing natural attractions and could offer an all- round holiday with accommodations, tours, scenic helicopter rides and stand- up paddle boarding.”
Ms Daly said another big drawcard to the region for the couple would be privacy.
“It would be very hard for an entourage to follow them out here so it would certainly be private and we could offer them some very exclusive camping and holiday options,” she said.
“We would love to be considered because I think we’d be perfect for them.”
Here is our North Queensland list of honeymoon destinations: Bedarra Island Resort Bedarra is an all- inclusive, private and tropical haven.
It comprises just 10 private villas hidden among 45ha of tropical rainforest, offering solitude, privacy and sublime views over the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
With a maximum of 20 guests at the resort at any time, the couple would be guaranteed a sanctuary of seclusion and solace. Bedarra is 10km off Mission Beach. Orpheus Island Lodge Orpheus is a five- star luxury Queensland Island Resort, offering the most intimate and exclusive reef experience while providing a large variety of adventurous activities.