TRAVEL TALK

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Nationally treasured ‘Heart Island’ recently opened, with guests staying at Hamilton Island now able to experience unprecedented access to the famed Heart Reef lagoon. The planning took more than 10 years. Visitor groups of just six at a time can visit the island via helicopter to view the intricate network of coral up close. The scenic flight experience developed by Hamilton Island Air is exclusive to guests of Hamilton Island. After a 30-minute flight from Hamilton Island, passing over the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach, the helicopter touches down on a split-level pontoon where guests board a glass-bottom boat especially designed and customised for Heart Island, before making the short journey to the Heart Reef itself. Guests have the opportunity to snorkel in neighbouring lagoons before returning to Heart Island for refreshments and a swim off the pontoon. The activity has been developed in consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority following a two-year environmental impact study. The pontoon is moored in sand and is powered by wind and solar.