Last month, the paper mâché team made their way to Hamilton Island, spending a few days exploring with ALANI Experience.
We checked into the ALANI villas before making our way down to the marina and boarding M/Y ALANI for the afternoon. From there, it was champagne, a grazing platter and a sunset cruise through the islands, followed by a full day on the water the next morning, cruising towards Whitehaven Beach.
It was our first real chance to settle into the ALANI experience, and a beautiful introduction to the Whitsundays. A few days on the water, slow mornings and plenty of time to take in the islands at their own pace.
For those unfamiliar with ALANI, the experience is built around getting out on the water and seeing the Whitsundays a little differently. Private accommodation, yacht charters, food, drinks and the freedom to make the day your own.
A few days in the Whitsundays, the ALANI way.
A Little About ALANI
ALANI has been based exclusively on Hamilton Island since 2012, creating tailored experiences across the Whitsundays with a team that knows the region from the inside out. Everyone on the ALANI team lives locally, bringing years of first-hand knowledge of the islands, the water and everything in between. That means days can be shaped around what guests actually want to see and do, from yacht charters and secluded anchorages to snorkelling, island activities and long lunches on the water.
There’s a real sense of place behind the experience, too. Having called Hamilton Island home for years, the team has a genuine connection to the surrounding Great Barrier Reef and a strong interest in keeping it pristine. That local knowledge becomes part of the experience itself, whether it’s finding a quieter stretch of water, pointing out the best places to snorkel or sharing a little more about the marine environment along the way.
The paper mâché Itinerary
Day 1
We landed at Hamilton Island Airport and were welcomed by six golf buggies in a car park full of, well, golf buggies. An unexpected welcome, but an iconic one nonetheless. We loaded up the suitcases and took off along the rainforest-lined roads towards our accommodation with ALANI.
We had two villas for our stay, Jasmine and Cowries House. Both sit high on the mountain, with generous open spaces and wide views across the harbour. Each has its own pool, considered entertaining spaces and an abundance of natural light. We settled in, took a moment to take it all in, and then it was time to get back in the buggies.
We made our way down to the harbour to set sail on our first ALANI sunset cruise.
We were welcomed aboard by the ALANI team with a glass of Veuve in hand. As we stepped onto the yacht, Captain George greeted us with a simple instruction: “Shoes off.” It was the first sign that life on board was going to be refreshingly relaxed.
There’s something about stepping onto a yacht like M/Y ALANI that immediately changes the pace. Crisp white and timber details, crystal blue water and the islands slowly disappearing into the distance made the whole scene feel slightly surreal. Within minutes, it had taken on the quality of a film set.
By this point, we had been cruising between the islands for some time, the sun beginning to dip as the ALANI team brought out a metre-long cheese platter. Our paper mâché Hamilton Island playlist played quietly in the background as we settled at the back of the yacht, sharing stories from the week and, naturally, enjoying a few glasses of wine. There was nowhere else we needed to be.
The mood was easy and unhurried, with the afternoon unfolding at its own pace. You could spend the time exploring and listening to stories from Captain George and the team, settle in with a glass of wine as the sun moved lower, or turn up the music and let the afternoon take on a life of its own. There was no set way to experience it; the day was yours to shape.
The yacht lends itself to all of the above, with three levels to explore, quieter spaces below deck and a rooftop that puts you right in the elements. From up there, the breeze moves through your hair as the islands pass by, and for a while, it’s easy to forget there’s anywhere else to be.
Day 2
We all woke up feeling refreshed after the sunset cruise, and naturally, a morning of gratitude was upon us. We seemed to each find our own way into the day. For a fairly active team, there were runs, walks for coffee and a little exploring around the island. Tim, our Creative Director, even joined the island’s Park Run.
Then it was time to get ready for day two on the yacht.
Linen, swimwear and sarongs were the dress code as we made our way back to the harbour, ready for a full day on the water. We cruised for around an hour before Captain George dropped the anchor at Whitehaven Beach.
The island was wrapped in bright white sand and crystal blue water, with rainforest sitting just behind it. We spent the afternoon jumping off the yacht, swimming in the deep blue water and, of course, drinking more champagne. Sun baking on the front of the yacht was a highlight for most, while others took full advantage of the water and spent the afternoon swimming between the boat and the beach.
Meanwhile, our private chef had been busy all morning preparing a very impressive spread of Far North Queensland produce. Mud crab, oysters, clams, wagyu and plenty more were being prepared on board, ready for what was to become one of the highlights of the day.
Rather than eating lunch on the yacht, we decided to take it onto Whitehaven Beach. The ALANI team brought everything across from the boat and set up a full dining experience on the sand, complete with tables, chairs, umbrellas and, naturally, a very paper mâché table setting.
It was a pretty spectacular way to enjoy lunch.
And then, it was time to head home
After two days on the water, plenty of champagne and a very generous amount of seafood, it was time to head home.
By the end of our stay, it was easy to understand what makes an ALANI experience so distinct. It’s the combination of the yacht, the setting, the food, the people and, perhaps most importantly, the freedom to shape the day around what feels right. For us, that meant a sunset cruise, a day at Whitehaven Beach, a long lunch and plenty of time in the water. But there’s no set way to do it. The experience is entirely your own.
Because we had such a good time, we thought it was only fair to share a little of it with you.
This week, paper mâché has teamed up with ALANI to give one lucky winner and 11 guests the chance to spend an afternoon aboard M/Y ALANI, complete with lunch, champagne and a few thoughtful extras from our friends at Gentle Habits and Joyeux Apparel.
The Edit
If you’re already picturing yourself on deck, we’ve put together our ALANI Edit. What we’d pack to get you ready.
If there’s one thing we learnt in the Whitsundays, it’s that a yacht day calls for very good swimwear, a fabulous outfit for lunching, plenty of linen and absolutely no reason to wear shoes.
1. Venice College Address Tee, Deus Customs 2. Class Cap, Rivvia Projects 3. La Mer Bag, JOYEUX Apparel 4. Disclosure Trunk, Rivvia Projects
1. Black Low Palace One piece, Bond Eye 2. Bucket Hat, Lack of Colour Packable Hat 3. Cora Earings, Cendre 4. Alba Sarong, Ochre Lane
1 & 2.Suki Bikini, Soleil Soleil 3. Aries Pant, Elce Swim 4. Picante Crochet Bag, Soleil Soleil 5. Cowgirl Paloma Hat, Ochre Lane
1. Mens Polo, Venroy 2. Washed Sage Cap, Venroy 3. Barbados Dive Mask & Snorkel, Gentle Habits 4. Busby Pool Towel, BAINA 5. Lounge short, Venroy
1. Nagnata Halter Wool Bralet 2. Nagnata Cap, Ulterior Motif 3. Nagnata Rydell Shorts, Ulterior Motif 4. Vacay Beach Bag, EAU Bags 5. Solomons
