Your Ticket to Paradise in The Whitsundays

Ticket to Paradise premiered on the 15th of September after filming in The Whitsundays in 2021 but you don’t have to be a Hollywood star to get your very own Ticket to Paradise! Your Ticket to Paradise-worthy holiday is as easy as 1,2,3.

1. Getting here

Getting to The Whitsundays is easy and stress-free, so throw some summer clothes in your bag and fly to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef. When you’re flying into The Whitsundays you can arrive over the azure blue waters into the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island or fly in over cattle and cane farms to Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine).

Follow along in the film: When Julia Roberts’ character, Georgia, boards her flight and finds David, George Clooney’s character in her row, that scene was shot in a plane on Hamilton Island.

2. Where to Stay 

Ticket to Paradise was filmed in part on Hamilton Island at luxurious qualia on Hamilton Island where you’ll struggle to leave the confines of your standalone pavilion, some even boast their very own infinity pool. Host to a list of celebrities and note-worthy guests, qualia is well known for the incredible experience it delivers.

Take a look at some of the other Hollywood films that have called The Whitsundays home!

Follow along in the film: qualia was the location for the pre-wedding getaway and celebration.

Picture this, pristine turquoise water, a private beachfront villa nestled in a secluded bay, surrounded by tropical rainforest… We think that was the brief given to Ticket to Paradise location scouts because Palm Bay Resort, on Long Island, is the perfect secluded island resort with beachfront villas. Encompassing 25 villas, suites and houses this island resort is the perfect alternative to Bali!

Follow along in the film: Palm Bay Resort was transformed into Lily’s Bali family compound complete with a seaweed farm in the bay.

3. See the sights

The Whitsundays is The Heart of the Great Barrier Reef making it the perfect place to visit the fringing or outer reefs for a day or longer. Snorkelling is a great way to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef and is available as part of a day or overnight trip depending on how many days you want to be at sea.

The world-famous swirling sands of Hill Inlet located at the tip of the 7km silica sands of Whitehaven Beach also sits in The Whitsundays and its existence is a debated topic to this day. Is the 97% silica sand a result of an underwater volcano, did the sand arrive via an ocean current or did the high powers just smile the right way when they were creating Whitsunday Island? We’ll probably never know but we do know that it’s a stunning beach and Hollywood agrees.

Follow along in the film: David gets dragged onto Chalikies Beach on Hasslewood Island (opposite famous Whitehaven Beach) after a dolphin bites him (it was a CGU dolphin). Georgia and David arrive onto Katie’s Cove on Hasslewood Island when they first arrive and meet Lily.

Want to organise your week away to ensure you hit some Hollywood scenes for yourself? We’ve put together an Award winning* itinerary below for you.

*No awards were given, but we bet you have a wonderful trip! 

Your Ticket to Whitsundays Paradise

Day 1: Fly into Hamilton Island Airport or Whitsunday Coast Airport. With direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns, getting here is easy.

If you are arriving at Airlie Beach, you will need a ferry transfer to Hamilton Island. Did someone say a nice scenic 60-minute cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to start your holiday? Yes, please!

We start your holiday at the award-winning qualia, as the opening credits roll you’ll be introduced to your luxurious pavilion home situated on the northern tip of Hamilton Island.

Day 2: Day trip to Whitehaven Beach

A world-famous beach with crystal clear waters and 2 perfect viewpoints, the perfect beach day exists. Visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet by private vessel organised through your qualia concierge or join a Cruise Whitsundays or Explore Group tour from Hamilton Island Marina.

Pack your phone or camera to get the best holiday pictures you’ve ever taken at Hill Inlet, some comfortable shoes or sandals to complete the lookout walks in and your swimwear for a cool-off in the water.

Day 3: Hamilton Island

Every corner is a new photo opportunity on Hamilton Island, spend today touring around in your buggy (an electric golf cart that is the main mode of transport here on Hamilton Island.

Our top places to visit are; One Tree Hill for the 180-degree views of the northern end of the island and surrounding water, Catseye Beach for the obligatory holiday snap with the brightly coloured catamarans, Bougainvillea Pool for a photo with a Catseye Beach backdrop (just like in the movie!) and Front Street where you can wander along the edge of the marina and pick out your favourite boat, do some shopping in the boutiques and sustain yourself with plenty of delicious restaurants along the way.

Day 4: Transfer to Palm Island Resort

By now you should be relaxed and ready to take things even slower. Your transfer to Palm Bay is either on a helicopter or a high-speed water taxi, both will give you a scenic transfer and a Bond-like arrival feeling. Once you arrive in the secluded bay, you’ll understand why people come here time and time again. 

Day 5: Palm Bay Resort

Step out of your beachfront villa and take your day slowly. There’s plenty to do if you’re looking for an action-packed itinerary and plenty to not do if you prefer but who wouldn’t want a game of beachside tennis or a couple of hours in the day spa. Your resort hosts will be able to assist you with all your relaxing or energetic enquiries.

Day 6: Home time

It’s the sad day at the end of a good holiday when you turn phone notifications back on and start thinking about checking your emails again, it’s back to reality day.

Your departure transfer to Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach on the mainland will be the stunning closing credits to your Hollywood-worthy holiday in The Whitsundays. The only thing you’ll be wanting, is to come back with all of your friends so you can explore even further. There is always more to discover in The Whitsundays.