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hamilton island

Fashion

My week on Instagram

25th August, 2019

I’ve been on the go non-stop this week. Earlier in the week I spent some time in the Mornington Peninsula on a three day immersive experience with Helen Kaminski. We stayed at the gorgeous Jackalope Hotel and spent some time being taken through the sustainability journey of the Helen Kaminski brand. From seeing how the wool goes from farm to being fashioned into the felt that the brand’s hats are made from to foraging on the Jackalope property, it was such an interesting few days, and one that’s certainly opened my eyes a little more to the craftsmanship that brands often put into their products and also sustainability as a whole.

And at the end of the week I was off again! This time I headed to Hamilton Island Race Week and was lucky enough to be able to take Luke with me so we had a fun weekend enjoying the festivities and catching up with friends. It was gorgeous weather up there so it was nice to be able to escape Sydney for awhile. We were hosted at the insanely beautiful Qualia resort and during our time there had some delicious meals, flew in a helicopter to check out heart reef and generally enjoyed a little R&R. After such a busy few days, I’m looking forward to easing myself into a new week—who knows what it will bring.

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Lifestyle

My trip to the heavenly Qualia Resort in Hamilton Island

13th September, 2018

It’s not everyday that you are lucky enough to be invited to spend the weekend at Qualia Resort in Hamilton Island so when the offer arrives you drop everything and go. Luke and I received an invitation to enjoy two glorious nights at Qualia along with the amazing opportunity to watch an outdoor performance by The Australian Ballet at the resort. I think we’d already packed our bags before we had a chance to accept!

We flew out on Friday morning and arrived just in time to enjoy a drinks over a leisurely lunch. Our first day involved a relaxing afternoon followed by drinks and canapés hosted by the Oatley family who own and founded Qualia and The Australian Ballet. We also had the opportunity to check out an exhibition by award winning photographer Justin Ridler which was a great way to cap off a lovely day.

The highlight of the entire weekend was without a doubt being able to watch The Australian Ballet’s production Pas de deux in paradise, which is an annual outdoor performance held at Qualia’s Pebble Beach. The entire event takes place during a black tie dinner and was without a doubt something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The experience of being able to watch the dancers on stage whilst enjoying a delicious meal at one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world as the sun slowly set was pure magic and definitely bucket list material.

Given we don’t get to spend many weekends kid-free Luke and I took advantage of the situation and tried to cram as much relaxation as we could into our time away. Our villa with its own plunge pool was the ideal setting for some much needed down time, but the leafy picturesque surrounds of Qualia also provided the perfect backdrop for a calm, relaxing time whether were enjoying breakfast or taking the personal golf buggy we had during our stay for a spin around the grounds. We ate, we chilled out, were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime ballet experience and had the most beautiful time away. I can’t wait to come back again because Qualia really is the kind of place that once you visit you’ll want to plan your next stay as soon as you can.

Luke and I on our first night at Qualia

With my good friend Nadia Fairfax who was also invited to spend the weekend

Black tie ready for The Australian Ballet’s performance of Pas de deux in paradise

I was in white, Luke was in a tux, it seemed only fitting!

(from L_R) Nicky Oatley, Luke, myself and Nadia

Dinner with a view

This performance was incredible and so memorable