Orpheus Island Lodge
A jewel in the ocean, Orpheus Island Lodge is an exclusive private island paradise amid the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Succumb to laidback luxury and indulge in all-inclusive dining with daily à la carte breakfast, tapas-style lunch inspired by cuisines from around the world, nightly four-course degustation dinner and a selection of quality Australian wines, beers and soft drinks.
Enjoy every moment with a fully stocked minibar, an A$100 resort credit per room, a bottle of French Champagne with chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival, a daily Orpheus experience such as snorkelling, fishing or an island cruise, plus unlimited use of the motorised dinghies, paddleboards, kayaks and catamaran.
Orpheus Island is accessible via helicopter, a 30-minute flight from Townsville or a 1.5-hour journey from Cairns over the picturesque coral-studded sea.
Important: Orpheus Island is accessible only via helicopter and transfers are not included in this package. Return transfers start from A$690 per adult from Townsville and will be weight dependent. Click here for full transfer details and how to book. When travelling to Orpheus, passengers are restricted to one small bag, to a maximum weight of 15kg in total. Soft duffel bags are required. If you arrive with a structured suitcase, there are duffle bags on-site for you to re-pack your luggage into. Excess luggage can be safely stored whilst you are on Orpheus.
Need Flights? We have a dedicated team who are able to assist with all your flight requirements. If you need a stopover or are looking at travelling to more destinations, our team can help. Contact our flights concierge team using the phone number on our website.
As soon as you set foot on Orpheus Island you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere incredibly special. With only 28 people permitted on the island at any time, you’ll be one of the privileged few to experience the raw beauty of this unspoilt tropical paradise, with 1,000 hectares of national park and pristine fringing reef teeming with around 1,100 species of fish.
What You’ll Love…
The Resort – An idyllic island paradise
Accessible only by helicopter from Townsville (at an additional charge), Orpheus Island Lodge provides guests with a truly secluded island experience with all the modern luxuries you’d expect of a private island lodge.
The island itself features 11km of immaculate coastline set within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed marine park. Guests can spend time snorkelling in colourful protected reefs, chilling out in a hammock hung between two palm trees or unwinding on one of the dreamy white-sand beaches. The island lodge is home to the main pavilion bar and alfresco-style dining area, a restaurant, a reading room, the Gwandalan Day Spa and a picture-perfect glittering infinity pool overlooking the Coral Sea.
Orpheus Island Lodge is a Tripadvisor 2020 Travelers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ award winner in the Top Small Hotels – Australia category. Its restaurant was also awarded a Chef’s Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide in 2019.
The Food – All meals included, crafted using the freshest seasonal produce and seafood
Gourmands will be in their element on Orpheus Island, where the bounty of the sea and the island’s very own vegetable garden are used to create exquisite dishes overseen by Head Chef James Egan.
Ease into sun-kissed island days with a fresh and delicious à la carte breakfast — including smoked salmon bagel with caper and dill cream cheese, and avocado smash with 63° egg, marinated feta and dukkah, accompanied by coffee, tea and juice.
Take a trip around the globe at lunchtime as you sample tapas from Italy, Thailand, Japan, the Middle East and beyond. Enjoy an array of flavour-filled dishes such as grilled halloumi with pistachio and pomegranate, Thai beef salad with nahm jim and Japanese karaage chicken. Alternatively, you might like to request a chef-prepared picnic hamper to enjoy as you explore the island.
If that’s whet your appetite, then wait for the pièce de résistance: your nightly four-course degustation dinner served overlooking the lapping waters of the Coral Sea. This is where the lodge’s gastronomical prowess truly shines, with dishes such as king prawn ceviche with smoked goat’s cheese and avocado lime mousse, venison tenderloin with roast plum, sour cherries and young turnips, and seared scallops with butternut pumpkin, edamame, jamon serrano and dashi. You might even choose to dine on fish caught by your own hand earlier in the day on a fishing expedition.
Plus, enjoy a bottle of French Champagne with chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival, as well as a selection of quality Australian wines and beers and a fully stocked minibar and as part of your stay.
The Room – Light and luxurious with Coral Sea views
Light and airy with views of the Coral Sea, your North Beachfront Room offers laidback luxury complete with a plush king-sized bed and a private terrace where you can enjoy your morning coffee, prepared using your in-room coffee machine.
North Beachfront Suite Upgrade: Boasting a generous 56sqm of space, these plush suites come with spectacular Coral Sea views and a separate lounge room, providing a tranquil sanctuary for you to unwind in.
South Suite Upgrade: The most exclusive accommodation type on the island, the extra-spacious 68sqm South Suites offer a beautiful balance between contemporary and laidback luxe island aesthetic. Take advantage of the outdoor stone bathtub, bathroom with double vanity, a private courtyard surrounded by lush tropical gardens and airy open-plan design. Perfect for couples or honeymooners.
See & Do – Soak up the beauty of the island with complimentary activities
While the island’s picture-perfect infinity pool tempts guests to lazy days with a good book and cocktail in hand, each day you’ll be invited to join daily curated Orpheus experiences such as snorkelling, fishing, or a guided nature-based activity.
Alternatively, explore the island and surrounding coral-studded reefs and private coves at your own pace by motorised dinghy, kayak, paddle-board and catamaran.
You will also be given A$100 resort credit per room, redeemable towards spa treatments at the Gwandalan Day Spa, paid experiences and tours, cocktails and premium drinks.
- Gwandalan Day Spa
- Beaches and pool
- Pavilion
- Library
- Orpheus Boutique
- Dive shop
- Games room
- Activities and day trips
- Catamaran
- Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and dinghies
- Walking tracks
- Wi-Fi
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services
Valid for travel from 14 September 2020 to 14 September 2021 (bookings must be made before 14 July 2021).
Blackout Dates Apply. Dates are identified in the Booking Calendar.
Check Availability: To confirm your dates of stay at purchase, click on ‘Check Availability’ and select your preferred package. Use the calendar to browse and select available dates. Dates with a surcharge are identified.
Buy Now, Choose Dates Later: If you want to secure this offer and don’t know when you want to travel please select ‘Buy Now, Choose Dates Later’. This will secure your package and give you the flexibility to choose your travel dates — within the book by and validity period and subject to availability. To select dates post purchase, simply select ‘My Escapes’ under the ‘My Account’ tab and follow the prompts.
7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee: Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for Tour bookings and flights) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 21 days prior to the check-in date.
Feel Like Changing Your Dates? No Worries… If your booking is with a property located in Australia or New Zealand you can make unlimited changes to the date of your booking, as long as it’s at least 21 days before your original check-in date. If the property is located in any other country you may make unlimited date changes up to 1 day before check-in. This is provided you choose dates that are of an equal value and are available. Any change to booking dates is subject to and must be made online in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
North Beachfront Room – Packages valid for two adults
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is two people.
Baby Policy: One baby (aged two years and under) may stay free of charge and will count towards the room capacity. A cot can be provided by the hotel free of charge.
North Beachfront Suite or South Suite – Packages valid for two adults
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is three people.
Extra Guest Policy: One additional guest (aged 17 years and over) may stay for a surcharge of A$550 per night, sleeping on a rollaway bed with accommodation, meals and drinks only (alcoholic drinks served only to guests aged 18+). Payable directly to the resort.
Child Policy: One child (aged 16 years and under) may stay for a surcharge of A$275 per night, sleeping on a rollaway bed with accommodation, meals and soft drinks only. Payable directly to the resort.
Baby Policy: One baby (aged two years and under) may stay free of charge and will count towards the room capacity. A cot can be provided by the hotel free of charge.
Connecting rooms are available: a North Beachfront Room can connect to a North Beachfront Suite. Strictly subject to availability.
Menus are subject to change without notice.
Select drinks included, premium drinks will incur a surcharge.
Important: Orpheus Island is accessible only via helicopter and transfers are not included in this package. Return transfers start from A$690 per adult from Townsville and will be weight dependent. Click here for full transfer details and how to book. When travelling to Orpheus, passengers are restricted to one small bag, to a maximum weight of 15kg in total. Soft duffel bags are required. If you arrive with a structured suitcase, there are duffle bags on-site for you to re-pack your luggage into. Excess luggage can be safely stored whilst you are on Orpheus.
Arriving by helicopter: Easily accessible from Townsville Airport, enjoy a 30-minute helicopter transfer over the picturesque coral-studded sea to Orpheus. The Nautilus Aviation check-in desk is situated at Townsville Airport, corner Halifax St and Stinson Avenue, Garbutt QLD. The check-in desk is located next to the airport baggage carousel in the Arrivals area. Guests are to meet at the check-in desk no later than 45 minutes prior to your scheduled helicopter departure time.
ONE DAILY SCHEDULED CHARTER EX TOWNSVILLE
- Townsville to Orpheus: departing at 2pm, arriving at 2.30pm.
- Orpheus to Townsville: departing at 2.30pm, arriving at 3pm.
A$345 one way, per person.
Passengers are restricted to one small bag, to a maximum of 15kg in total (non-rigid duffle or cabin bags are preferred as they are easier to load in the helicopter boot due to space limitations). Any excess luggage can be safely stowed at the Nautilus Aviation hangar.
If the daily scheduled charter is fully booked on your preferred dates of travel, or if the scheduled timings do not coincide with your itinerary, a private helicopter charter may be arranged at an additional cost (subject to availability).
PRIVATE HELICOPTER CHARTER EX TOWNSVILLE (on request only)
- A$990 (Two passengers – weight & luggage restrictions apply)
- A$2,200 (up to six passengers – weight & luggage restrictions apply)
The property, facilities and dining are subject to government regulations and restrictions. Please check the property website for the most up-to-date information as some of the services may be impacted.
Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to the website’s terms and conditions.
