Best accessed by helicopter, the Islands only resort is “Orpheus Island Lodge”. Capping the number of guests at 28, this an exclusive escape – talk about private!

With a warm tropical climate, Orpheus provides an average temperature of 27°C year-round. The water temperature varies between 21°C in the winter and 29°C in the summer making it ideal for exploring the coral reefs at your doorstep.

The Island

Orpheus Island is one of the 13 Islands that belong to “The Palm Island Group” located 20km off the Queensland coast (between Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands).

Declared a national park in 1960, most of the island is controlled by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. It’s mostly made up of dry woodlands filled with wattles and huge Morton bay ash trees. Explore the island to find scattered rainforest, wetlands and mangroves and keep your eyes out for geckos and echindas!

Located in one of the seven natural wonders of the world, this Island is only home to Orpheus Island Lodge and a James Cook University research station and lab.

Researchers visit the “state of the art” lab to study the hundreds of species of fish and corals, and the stunning national park. They’re helped by VCE biology students who visit each year to learn about climate change, rising sea levels, and environmental impacts. They’re also open for visitors! Just contact the University in advance. 

How to get there

Take a 30min helicopter journey from Townsville over the picturesque coral-studded sea, or a 90 minute flight from Cairns.

Alternatively, join a day trip that cruises through the Palm Island Group and gives you plenty of time to swim, snorkel and explore.

The Reef

Orpheus is home to 1100 of the Great Barrier Reef’s 1500 species of fish and 340 of the 359 varieties of hard corals giving you the opportunity to see the best that the GBR has to offer! If you’re wanting to see even more, the Island is in close proximity to outer reefs where you can dive with green turtles, bull rays and reef sharks.

If you’re lucky, you may even see the Humpback whale migration from late June to mid September!

The Accommodation

Right on the beach, the Island is home to only one resort – Orpheus Island Lodge.

An all-inclusive, luxury resort (complete with infinity pool) with a focus on the environment: They actively minimise their footprint as much as possible, and have a sustainable veggie patch, solar hot water and a waste water treatment plant.

Staying here, all of your chef prepared meals are provided along with beer, wine, soft drink and snacks. Try yoga, fishing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, all on the house! Know how to sail a catamaran? Take one out for the day!

Everything you could want is provided here.

Convenience

Bordered by coral reefs, Orpheus is a haven for snorkelling and diving.

Want a change of scenery? Day trip to Australia’s largest Island national park “Hinchinbrook Island” and be wowed by beautiful waterfalls, secluded beaches and lush rainforest. And don’t worry, the Lodge can organise a chef prepared picnic hamper to take with you!

This luxury escape will make you feel instantly relaxed. Spend your days enjoying the wonders of the reef at your doorstep and soak in the tropical climate.

The post Australia in Focus: Orpheus Island appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

I recently returned from the Greek Islands – not Mykonos or Santorini, but a couple of islands in the Saronic archipelago which I had previously never heard of!

Click on the link below to listen to me chatting to Tim Webster on 2UE radio, about these authentic Greek islands.

https://omny.fm/shows/talking-travel/talking-travel-rosie-richardson-on-the-greek-islan

Spending 10 days on these relaxed Greek islands was just a dream. We spent our days swimming, reading, exploring on walking tracks, and eating fresh seafood and produce. Just heaven!

Agistri Beach

The post Off the beaten track Greek Islands that no one knows about! appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

The European summer may be coming to an end but there’s good news for the keen traveller: next year’s flights have just gone on sale.

Portugal is set to become one of the must-see destinations of 2017, offering culture, beaches, history and delicious food in one pretty package.

The team at Mosaic Travel knows that a summer by the beach is a summer well spent, so they’ve found a stretch of sand for any occasion – from swimming and surfing to partying until the sunrise, you’re sure to find your paradise.

1. Praia de Adraga Beach, located near Sintra on the Central Coast, is the private person’s dream. Its remote location, dramatic high cliffs, golden sands and pristine rocks, grottoes and tunnels mean the beach is usually close to empty – leaving all the more room for you to enjoy. A small caveat is that you’ll need your own car – it’s so out of the way that public transport won’t get you there.

2. On the completely opposite of the spectrum sits Lagos’ Praia da Rocha. Its vast expanse of soft golden sand is home to a buzzing and vibrant atmosphere, with great caves to explore and established dining options. Lagos may be a tourist trap, but this nearby beach is an undiscovered gem that’s not as busy.

3. Culture and history buffs should be placing Ribeira Beach in Cascais on the list; close to the square and old town, it has a gorgeous backdrop of historical buildings, including grand crumbling villas. Also known as Fisherman’s Beach, Ribeira is home to a lively but small fishing port, so the pretty picture is improved by the presence of small fishing boats. You can try some of their produce at one of the casual restaurants in town – after all, we believe the best way to learn about a new culture is through food!

4. Don’t like sharing the sand? Miramar is the beach for you. An isolated patch not far from Porto, it’s famous from the 17^th century chapel on a rocky headland, and isn’t frequented by many tourists, even in summer. A calm tide makes it great for cutting a few laps.

5. Finally, Praia Tocha is the surfer’s paradise. A secret beach known only by locals (and now you!), it’s resort free and home to a great break – ideal for surfing and bodyboarding. After a long day, you can retire to a Palheiros (a former fishing house sitting on stilts), now used for accommodation.

Pack your bags: Portugal is calling. With five vastly different but equally as beautiful beaches to choose from, you’ll be sand-side in no time.

The post Our top 5 beaches in Portugal appeared first on Mosaic Travel.