Prevue November/December 2011 - (Page 60)

QUEENSLAND a [oN LoCATIoN] DAWNA L RoBeRTSoN s we helicopter over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, I’m struggling to wrap my mind around the vastness of this marvel. Covering some 134,000 square miles, the world’s largest living organism is visible from outer among the ribbons of reef in our snug lycra wetsuits. Those preferring a dry adventure can catch a view of colorful coral gardens and vibrant marine life from inside a semi-submersible vessel. Planners can also add to the experience with helicopter tours over the reef, and/or transfers to and from Port Douglas. While most everyone knows about the Great Barrier Reef, fewer know about the stunning Daintree Rainforest National Park— the other half of Queensland’s stunning “Reef to Rainforest” World Heritage duo. To get to Queensland, it’s a 13-hour flight from LAX to Brisbane. Kudos to the stylish V Australia team in L.A., who handle preflight in a setting more akin to a dance club than an airport thanks to the subtle lighting and mood music. From Brisbane, it’s a 2.5-hour flight up to Cairns, and then a 45-minute drive into Port Douglas. space. Choppering over it 100 feet above is a surreal blend of serenity and exhilaration as you grasp the breadth of the marine habitat and the twinkling delicacy of the gin clear water. The small beach town of Port Douglas is our HQ, bordered between two World Heritage Nature Sites along the east coast of Queensland in the northeast quadrant of Australia. We’re here with Quicksilver Cruises who operate a large platform facility above Agincourt Reef at the gateway to the fourth Natural Wonder of the World. It’s a 90-minute transfer via a 450passenger, hi-tech “wavepiercing catamaran.” For the next four hours, most of us snorkel and dive through a marine mob scene 56 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue November/December 2011

Planner's Pick: Sheraton Nassau
Planner's Pick: Buenos Aires
Fresh Meets: Park Hyatt
Good Business: Hilton Head
Bureau Buzz: Washington DC/Anaheim/Detroit
On Location: Paws Up, Montana
On Location: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas
Meetings + The Muse
Meetings + The Muse
Mexico, Now
Mexico, Now
On Location: Marriott Resorts, Cancun
On Location: Marriott Resorts, Cancun
On Location: Starwood Resorts, Los Cabos
On Location: Starwood Resorts, Los Cabos
The Next Latin Boom
The Next Latin Boom
Barcelona
Barcelona
Queensland
Queensland
On Location: Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado
On Location: Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado

Prevue November/December 2011