The Luxury Resort Inspired From Unwanted Items
WHITSUNDAY VACATIONS

The Luxury Resort Inspired From Unwanted Items

dATE
Date
tIME
Time
vENUE
Venue
pRICE
Price

Kicking back at a luxurious resort usually comes with a hefty price tag but this resort makes a fancy experience more affordable.

Tucked away in North Queensland’s Airlie Beach is a luxurious little haven that’s full of unexpected surprises.

From the moment you roll up along the driveway to Freedom Shores – named after The Doors song Waiting for the Sun – you feel like you could be at any luxe tropical holiday destination, but without the hefty price tag.

Here you can stay in your own little boat bungalow with a private deck overlooking the picturesque Airlie ocean.

The popular tourist town, which provides easy access to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, has certainly recovered from Cyclone Debbie which ravaged the region in 2017.

And it was her aftermath that inspired Freedom Shores itself.

Freedom Shores sits on the Whitsunday Coast, Queensland.

Its boat cabins all have ocean views. The palm trees came from The Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Its boat cabins all have ocean views. The palm trees came from The Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

The nautical focus for the resort originated when the business acquired the old Shute Harbour jetty poles.

The marine facility at Shute Harbour was damaged extensively during the cyclone but Freedom Shores believed the poles “had character and beauty worthy of being saved”.

The timber inspired an entire resort built around reclaimed boats to create a truly special place that now sees the poles make up the entry ways to the boat cabins.

And those aren’t the only unwanted items that have been salvaged and given a new life – some of the palm trees within the grounds came from the set of the The Pirates of the Caribbean.

The trees were used when the movie was shot in the Whitsundays, but Freedom Shores scooped them up and planted them within the “hidden valley.”

But the showpiece of the resort is the salvaged “Shangri-La” boat which has been given pride of place at its entrance.

Shangri-La being used as a tourist vessel in the 1960s.

Shangri-La being used as a tourist vessel in the 1960s.

The boat at the resort today.

The boat at the resort today.

The vessel was part of General MacArthur’s fleet during World War II.

It was part of a small fleet that helped land soldiers, ammunition and stores at Milne Bay, Port Moresby, where the allied forces defeated a Japanese invasion of about 2400 soldiers.

It was the first defeat on land for the Japanese during the war, however they continued to bomb Port Moresby.

The boat was later used as a tourist vessel across the reef in the 1960s and now works as a deck and a place to relax with a drink alongside the resort’s pool.

While the resort is a bit out of town, its Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill provides a shuttle service making it easy to get about.

From town you can get out to the islands and the reef. We were lucky enough to head out for Cruise Whitsundays’ amazing Reef Sleep experience where you sleep in a swag under the stars on board their Heart Pontoon.

And the best part is, you’d never tell from your insta-worthy pics that you didn’t fork out a fortune to take advantage of one of the world’s greatest wonders.. the Whitsundays.

To book your next Whitsunday holiday, go to whitsundayvacations.com.au

The writer was a guest of Freedom Shores. Source: news.com.au.

The Great Barrie Reef located in the Whitsunday, Queensland, Australia
REVIEWS

Why Our Guests Keep Coming Back

Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Cove 18 Luxury Whitsunday Waterfront Beach House
The property was fantastic and looked just like the pictures. Location was great, right on the marina and an easy walk into town. We were eight ladies and there was plenty of room to accommodate us. The kitchen was very well stocked with crockery and pots and pans. Communication with Ali, Hannah and Katy was precise and prompt with any answers to our questions. The only slight negative was the lounge was very deep and low and not totally comfortable for some of our "mature" bodies. I would definitely stay there again and would definitely recommend Whitsunday Vacations
July 24, 2024
Maureen
66a0a4deecca5324488ba198
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday living on Hillcrest by the Beach
Excellent location and space for our family of 6, would stay again
July 24, 2024
Rhiannon
66a0a6038cd05fd56e024819
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
15 Kara - Stunning 5 Bedroom Home With Million Dollar Views, walk to Airlie Beach main street.
This place had spectacular views and the host was very accommodating and quick response.Would recommend staying!Thanks so much
July 23, 2024
Bryce
669efd498cd05fd56eb73724
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Cove 18 Luxury Whitsunday Waterfront Beach House
What a wonderful location. We enjoyed our stay and loved how close it was to town. Everything was as described and they were very responsive with a slight issue.
July 23, 2024
Alecia
669f66dc8cd05fd56ec8d301
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
3 Bedroom Holiday Home, Valley Views in the heart of Airlie Beach
The house was extremely comfortable and in a lovely setting, short walk to shops, main street and restaurants
July 22, 2024
Tim
669db6a78cd05fd56e7c0dd5
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina Living with views and more!
Great location, nice apartment, fantastic views and wonderful communication throughout from Whitsunday Vacations team.We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!
July 22, 2024
Subramanian
669dce8e8cd05fd56e802b0b
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina living with Whitsundays lifestyle
Such a perfect location. Right on the harbour, cafes in the complex and a flat, easy walk into the town centre….unlike most other properties ‘up the hill’ which have very steep streets to walk home. Apartment was as good as you could hope for. Comfortable, great balcony and fully equipped kitchen…comfy bed and pillows too.
July 21, 2024
Tim
669c97c38cd05fd56e489045
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina Views at The Boathouse
Airlie Beach you’ve won my heart ☀️😍Lovely well appointed and spacious apartment with fabulous views of the marina. Bed was very comfy. Good kitchen. Washing machine in main bathroom. Close to restaurants and shops.
July 20, 2024
Pam
669abd918cd05fd56ef5efa0
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday living on Hillcrest by the Beach
Epic spot! Will be back
July 20, 2024
Kim
669b61cb8cd05fd56e126550
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Marina living with Whitsundays lifestyle
Beautiful apartment, beautiful view - will stay again!The property was spacious, clean and functional, plus it has a beautiful view over the marina. Well appointed facilities, including washer/dryer which was very handy after a week on holidays. We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony each morning, lapping up the gorgeous warm sun and the beautiful view. The property is also in a great location - coffee, restaurants and cafes downstairs underneath the building, and only a 5 minute walk into the main strip of Airlie for everything else. We ducked downstairs each morning for a coffee, and got takeaway pizza one night which was super handy!
July 19, 2024
Jessica
669a4cb98cd05fd56ee217b0
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Executive Whitsunday Penthouse at 40 Reflections
Amazing views and such a relaxing place to stay and enjoy Airlie Beach with our family. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here!! Thanks 🙏🏻
July 19, 2024
Erin
669991348cd05fd56ec2ec91
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Coral Esplanade
The location in Cannonvale is family-friendly, readily accessible to all the Cannonvale and Airlie attractions, and is adjacent to a beautiful, well-cared-for community park.The apartment is sparkling clean and well-appointed. Very comfortable.
July 18, 2024
Kelly
66984bc58cd05fd56e8af5c6
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday living on Hillcrest by the Beach
Great home with an incredible location. Will certainly be staying again.
July 18, 2024
Kristie
6698ad288cd05fd56e9b2558
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
15 Kara - Stunning 5 Bedroom Home With Million Dollar Views, walk to Airlie Beach main street.
This place was awesome, highly recommend 🙌
July 17, 2024
James
66975dff8cd05fd56e5e2663
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
23 The Cove - Whitsunday Waterfront Living
Fabulous place to stay! Comfortable, bright with lots of natural light, beautiful views and great location with only a short walk to town. Everyone really enjoyed staying here!
July 17, 2024
Lamia
66975d798cd05fd56e5e1906
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Broadwater
Splendide !La vue magnifique depuis le salon et la chambre parentale à l’étage, notamment au lever du soleil.L’emplacement idéal entre la marina et le centre-ville : tout se fait à pied.Le bon équipement de la cuisine Nous avons regretté de n’y passer que deux nuits.Très peu de bruit car la route est en contrebas et peu passante.
July 17, 2024
Carine
6697ae268cd05fd56e6d43ae
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Whitsunday Beachfront Apartment on Broadwater
Fantastic apartment in a great location and the view…wow!Highly recommend and we really enjoyed our stay here. Great communication and nothing too much trouble. Apartment has everything you need for a great stay and the beds were really comfortable.
July 16, 2024
Mike
6695a9cd8cd05fd56e1504e3
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Airlie Beach Ocean Views & Resort Living @ 231
风景很不错!
July 16, 2024
Xiaofeng
6696245b8cd05fd56e293c11
Previous

Stay Up To Date with Our Specials

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest deals and event news.

SIGN UP
Please Enter Your Details
Close

Thanks for subscribing!

We’re working on NEWs for you – why not try our HOL-SPECIAL code for a 10% discount for any of your future bookings.

Click here for the best rates

We will not spam, rent, or sell your information.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.