Hayman Island
Encyclopedia
Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands
, part of the Cumberland Islands, which are located off the coast of Central Queensland
, Australia
at 20°03′S 148°53′E. Hayman is a private island
, most famous for its luxury resort which was built in the 1950s by millionaire Reg Ansett
, who also founded Ansett Australia
.
The island is small at just 400 hectares in area.
.
Commander George Nares
gave Hayman its name in honour of Thomas Hayman, his navigator. The two carried out many exploits together, becoming the first to pass through the Suez Canal
and completing a dangerous navigation around Antarctica.
Edwin Embury, a schoolteacher, dreamer, and amateur scientist established a biological research laboratory on the island in 1933. The abundant wildlife and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef
made Hayman an ideal base for scientific discovery.
Whitsundays’ fishermen Bob and Bert Hallam established the Great Barrier Reef Game Fish Angling Club in 1935, attracting local and international game fishing enthusiasts who arrived by coastal steamer. One of them was Zane Grey
, American novelist, filmmaker and big game fisherman. Grey planted the first coconut palm on the island and, in 1936, Hayman became the idyllic tropical backdrop for his comedy drama, ‘White Death’.
in anticipation of a royal visit to Australia, for which Hayman was granted a Royal Charter
.
Hayman soon earned the reputation as Australia’s foremost leisure and honeymoon destination and attracted widespread international recognition. Arrival on Hayman was by Catalina and Sandringham flying boat
. These days, guests to the island arrive by Hayman's private fleet of luxury motor yachts, and private charter helicopter
or Air Whitsunday
seaplane
.
By July 1985, a two-year, A$300 million project commenced to transform the island into a "true luxury lifestyle destination" and in 1987 Hayman was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World
. The resort undertook another significant renovation in 2001 and received many of its modern five-star
luxury amenities.
designed Beach Villas.
Hayman re-opened on 1 August after five months of extensive restoration on the island, due to the severe impact of Tropical Cyclone Anthony and cyclone Yasi
early this year. This period of closure enabled Hayman to complete the repairs required to landscapes, guest and accommodation areas, activity facilities and essential infrastructure as well as undertake other planned projects.
In the surrounds of the resort, a new botanical garden
has some 33,000 new plants and 327 new plant species having been introduced by landscape designer, horticulturalist and personality, Jamie Durie
, who was engaged to replant Hayman's 16 hectares of gardens.
Kerry Hill
, the Hayman Residences feature a modern contemporary design positioned to take advantage of the views, vistas and natural beauty of Hayman.
In 1972, the first people to row unaided across the Pacific Ocean
, Sylvia Cook and John Fairfax
arrived at Hayman Island after spending 361 days crossing the ocean.
In 1995, then-New Labour Party
leader Tony Blair
addressed Rupert Murdoch
and the leaders of News Corporation
at Hayman Island, laying the groundwork for Murdoch's eventual support of the party in British parliamentary elections.
Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of continental islands of various sizes off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, situated between just south of Bowen and to the north of Mackay, some north of Brisbane. The island group is centred on Whitsunday Island, while the group's commercial...
, part of the Cumberland Islands, which are located off the coast of Central Queensland
Central Queensland
Central Queensland is an ambiguous geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast and the area extends west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
at 20°03′S 148°53′E. Hayman is a private island
Private island
A private island is a disconnected body of land wholly owned by a single private citizen or corporation. Although this exclusivity gives the owner substantial control over the property, they still fall within the jurisdiction of national and sometimes local governments.-Ownership:There are many...
, most famous for its luxury resort which was built in the 1950s by millionaire Reg Ansett
Reg Ansett
Sir Reginald Myles "Reg" Ansett KBE was an Australian businessman and aviator; best known for founding Ansett Transport Industries Limited, which owned one of Australia's two leading domestic airlines between 1957 and 2001...
, who also founded Ansett Australia
Ansett Australia
Ansett Australia, Ansett, Ansett Airlines of Australia, or ANSETT-ANA as it was commonly known in earlier years, was a major Australian airline group, based in Melbourne. The airlines flew domestically within Australia and to destinations in Asia during its operation in 1996...
.
The island is small at just 400 hectares in area.
History
Captain James Cook first charted these waters in 1770First voyage of James Cook
The first voyage of James Cook was a combined Royal Navy and Royal Society expedition to the south Pacific ocean aboard HMS Endeavour, from 1768 to 1771...
.
Commander George Nares
George Nares
Vice-Admiral Sir George Strong Nares KCB FRS was a British naval officer and Arctic explorer. He commanded both the Challenger Expedition and the British Arctic Expedition, and was highly thought of a leader and a scientific explorer...
gave Hayman its name in honour of Thomas Hayman, his navigator. The two carried out many exploits together, becoming the first to pass through the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
and completing a dangerous navigation around Antarctica.
Edwin Embury, a schoolteacher, dreamer, and amateur scientist established a biological research laboratory on the island in 1933. The abundant wildlife and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
made Hayman an ideal base for scientific discovery.
Whitsundays’ fishermen Bob and Bert Hallam established the Great Barrier Reef Game Fish Angling Club in 1935, attracting local and international game fishing enthusiasts who arrived by coastal steamer. One of them was Zane Grey
Zane Grey
Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the Old West. Riders of the Purple Sage was his bestselling book. In addition to the success of his printed works, they later had second lives and continuing influence...
, American novelist, filmmaker and big game fisherman. Grey planted the first coconut palm on the island and, in 1936, Hayman became the idyllic tropical backdrop for his comedy drama, ‘White Death’.
Luxury Resort
In 1947, Australian aviation pioneer, Reginald Ansett acquired the island. Work began on the Royal Hayman Hotel, which opened in 1950 by Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Arthur FaddenArthur Fadden
Sir Arthur William Fadden, GCMG was an Australian politician and, briefly, the 13th Prime Minister of Australia.-Introduction:...
in anticipation of a royal visit to Australia, for which Hayman was granted a Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
.
Hayman soon earned the reputation as Australia’s foremost leisure and honeymoon destination and attracted widespread international recognition. Arrival on Hayman was by Catalina and Sandringham flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
. These days, guests to the island arrive by Hayman's private fleet of luxury motor yachts, and private charter helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
or Air Whitsunday
Air Whitsunday
Air Whitsunday is a charter airline based in Australia that operates a fleet of seaplanes. The company also operates tours.- History :Air Whitsunday pioneered seaplane services to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Island in April 1973....
seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
.
By July 1985, a two-year, A$300 million project commenced to transform the island into a "true luxury lifestyle destination" and in 1987 Hayman was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World
The Leading Hotels of the World
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is a hospitality consortium owned by Hotel Representative, A.G. It represents over 430 hotels and resorts worldwide. Headquartered in New York City, the consortium maintains offices in 24 cities world wide....
. The resort undertook another significant renovation in 2001 and received many of its modern five-star
Star (classification)
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are used by reviewers for ranking things such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, one to five stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels.-Restaurant ratings:...
luxury amenities.
New Developments
In June 2004, Mulpha Australia Limited acquired Hayman, and, in January 2010, after almost six years of planning, design and environmental consultations, the final approvals were granted. The initial phase of this strategic plan has included revitalisation of the Hayman pool and the construction of luxurious new Kerry HillKerry Hill
Kerry Hill is an architect who has specialised in hotel design in tropical Asia.He studied at Perth Technical College and the University of Western Australia graduating in 1968. He worked for Howlett & Bailey in Perth from 1969 to 1971...
designed Beach Villas.
Hayman re-opened on 1 August after five months of extensive restoration on the island, due to the severe impact of Tropical Cyclone Anthony and cyclone Yasi
Cyclone Yasi
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in northern Queensland, Australia in the early hours of Thursday, 3 February 2011. Yasi originated from a tropical low near Fiji. The system intensified to a Category 3 cyclone at about 5pm AEST on 31 January 2011...
early this year. This period of closure enabled Hayman to complete the repairs required to landscapes, guest and accommodation areas, activity facilities and essential infrastructure as well as undertake other planned projects.
In the surrounds of the resort, a new botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
has some 33,000 new plants and 327 new plant species having been introduced by landscape designer, horticulturalist and personality, Jamie Durie
Jamie Durie
Jamie Durie is an Australian landscaper and television personality. Formerly a prominent personality for the Nine Network, Durie has hosted a variety of programs for them, mostly "lifestyle" shows, such as Backyard Blitz, Renovation Rescue and The Block.Jamie previously was the host of the Seven...
, who was engaged to replant Hayman's 16 hectares of gardens.
Hayman Residences
Hayman is also flogging off houses on the island. Designed by architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Kerry Hill
Kerry Hill
Kerry Hill is an architect who has specialised in hotel design in tropical Asia.He studied at Perth Technical College and the University of Western Australia graduating in 1968. He worked for Howlett & Bailey in Perth from 1969 to 1971...
, the Hayman Residences feature a modern contemporary design positioned to take advantage of the views, vistas and natural beauty of Hayman.
- The Hayman Private Residences are being set in the natural bushland, which abounds on the eastern hillside of the island, with views of the Whitsunday Passage and Coral SeaCoral SeaThe Coral Sea is a marginal sea off the northeast coast of Australia. It is bounded in the west by the east coast of Queensland, thereby including the Great Barrier Reef, in the east by Vanuatu and by New Caledonia, and in the north approximately by the southern extremity of the Solomon Islands...
. - The Hayman Marina Residences will wrap around the south-western side of the island from the new Hayman Marina to Castle Rock with waterfront locations and westerly island views.
Awards
Hayman resort has picked up a number of awards. Hayman’s Hall of Fame status and 2010 awards include:- Australian Tourism Awards – Hall of Fame
- Queensland Tourism Awards – Hall of Fame
- National Travel Industry Awards – Hall of Fame
- The Australian Travel & Tourism Awards – Best Resort Accommodation
- Luxury Travel Gold List – Best Australian Resort
- Travel + Leisure US – Top 5 Hotels Australia & South Pacific, World’s Coolest Pools, World’s Best Service Awards
- Conde Nast Traveler US – Top 10 Overseas Leisure Hotels
- Conde Nast Traveller UK – Top 5 Overseas Leisure Hotels, Top Spas Australasia & South Pacific
- Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence – Best Deluxe 5-Star Hotel, Best Restaurant
- HM Awards – Australian Hotel Executive Chef of the Year – Highly Commended
- National Savour Australia Catering Awards – Best Tourism Restaurant, Best European Restaurant, Best Asian Restaurant, Best Corporate Caterer, Best Wedding Caterer
- Savour Australia Catering Awards Queensland – Major Awards – Restaurant of the Year, Corporate Caterer of the Year
- Pevonia National Awards – Hotel/Resort Spa Customer Service Excellence
Popular Culture
Hayman Island contributed to Australian popular culture when the classic television series Barrier Reef began filming at Hayman in 1969. The show introduced a generation of Australians to the excitement of exploration and underwater adventure.In 1972, the first people to row unaided across the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, Sylvia Cook and John Fairfax
John Fairfax (rower)
John Fairfax is a British rower and adventurer who, in 1969, became the first person to row solo across an ocean.Fairfax was born in Italy to an English father and Bulgarian mother. As a child he was expelled from the Italian Boy Scouts for opening fire, with a revolver, on a hut containing other...
arrived at Hayman Island after spending 361 days crossing the ocean.
In 1995, then-New Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
leader Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
addressed Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
and the leaders of News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
at Hayman Island, laying the groundwork for Murdoch's eventual support of the party in British parliamentary elections.
See Also
- List of islands of Australia
- Tourism in AustraliaTourism in AustraliaTourism is an important industry for the Australian economy. In the financial year 2009/10, the tourism industry represented 2.6% of Australia's GDP at a value of approximately A$34 billion to the national economy. Domestic tourism is a significant part of the tourism industry, and was...
- Air WhitsundayAir WhitsundayAir Whitsunday is a charter airline based in Australia that operates a fleet of seaplanes. The company also operates tours.- History :Air Whitsunday pioneered seaplane services to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Island in April 1973....