We have syndicated this piece with kind permission from The Modern Woman’s Survival Guide.
So we’ve travelled over the Great Barrier Reef in a sea plane, snorkelled, sunk our feet into the sand on Australia’s best beach and twilight sailed the Whitsundays. Now it’s definitely time for a drink or two, whilst we explore the local eateries.
:: So a Girl Walks into a Rum Bar and Says She Doesn’t Like Rum
Yeah, the barman thought that was a joke too. So much so, he ignored my repeated protests that I don’t drink spirits, and whipped me up a cocktail regardless. His insistent charm won me over, and I soon saw the error of my ways, so much so I ordered a second, and eagerly tried a mojito.
Having won a string of fancy pants awards, it’s no wonder they’re also renowned for their fresh local seafood. Merely reading the menu left us salivating and a feast was ordered to be placed in the middle of the table to share. Thai jungle curry, calamari rings, salmon, tuna steaks, oysters, and truffle covered chips. It was soon all passing forks and plates across the table “Oh, here you must try this”, “Oh yes, wow… here try mine”.
This fabulous dining experience was finished by us polishing off the most gorgeous gingerbread ice cream.
Fish D’Vine Fish Cafe & Rum Bar
303 Shute Harbour Road Airlie Beach
:: Hang Up Your Apron Heston
Mr Bone’s signature dessert dish is a sweet and sugary, yet not at all sickly, burger and chips, cleverly constructed with a doughnut. Shared between the four of us, it was a divine end to a equally divine meal including mackerel spring rolls and arancini balls with basil pesto sauce.
:: Strap Yourself in Gastronomes
With an impressive 8 courses spanning over 5 hours, this is a lunch to languish over with friends whilst overlooking stunning views of the Whitsundays. Whilst the food was not as sublime as we’d experienced elsewhere, it was still good quality and excellent value for only $44.50. The highlight was most defintiely the rhubarb and ginger dessert- refreshing, light and delightfully tangy.
Deja Vu Restaurant
Water’s Edge Resort
Golden Orchid Drive Airlie Beach
:: Somewhere to Hang Up Your Audrey Hepburn Hat
We stayed at the Airlie Beach Hotel, which whilst for luxury lovers (here’s looking at me) isn’t 5 star, they have most pleasant, refurbished 4 star rooms that are most convieniently located on the main road (and I don’t say that in a real estate ad kind of way, trying to talk up a dodgy rental with clever photography angles).
The real beauty of staying here is that you can save money and splash out on luxury experiences such as the sea plane tour, or getting your P Diddy on and chartering your own yacht.
:: “Now I Had the Time of My Life…”
