The Rowley Shoals, situated 260km from Broome, off the north-west coast of Western Australia, are a true haven of natural beauty.

Especially loved by divers, the Shoals are made up of 3 coral atolls - Clerke Reef, Mermaid Reef and Imperieuse Reef - with shallow lagoons filled with an abundance of marine life and spectacular coral.

Each atoll that makes up the Rowley Shoals is approximately 80 - 90 square kilometres in area, and very similar is size, shape and distance apart.

The Rowley Shoals were named in 1818 by Captain Philip Parker King, who first described their relative positions. He named the most north-easterly of the trio Mermaid Reef, after his ship. The middle shoal was named Clerke Reef after Captain Clerke, who had reported it from a whaler sometime between 1800 and 1809, and the south-western shoal was dubbed Imperieuse Reef after the ship from which Captain Rowley sighted it in 1800.

The Shoals are now considered one of the very best pristine marine environments in the world. With their remoteness, lying on the very edge of the Australian continental shelf, many claim they are the most perfect example of shelf atolls in Australian waters.

The coral gardens of the Rowley Shoals are absolutely beautiful and almost untouched by man. You can dive the area and hand feed the potato cod and maori wrasse, and the colourful reef fish don’t seem to be disturbed by the presence of divers.

As the tides go down, the sea gushes over the edges of the shoals like miniature waterfalls, and the reefs disappear below the water’s surface at high tide, with only the Clerke and Imperieuse island’s sandy beaches showing.

A visit to the “Acquarium” is an essential for the snorkeller. Rivalling the Great Barrier Reef, yet only waist-deep in water, the experience is amazing. It has brilliantly coloured corals, giant clams and more than 600 of the world’s most beautiful fish species at your fingertips! An underwater camera is a MUST!

Another very popular dive experience is a “wall dive”, where you dive along the shoal walls as they are submerged in water. Outer reef snorkelling is amazing, as you explore the sheer coral walls. Clean and virtually undamaged by the effects of man and pollution, you’ll get to see just how spectacular the colours and shapes of the coral are.

Your visit to this amazing place will be a memory that lasts for a lifetime. There’s very few spots like this left in the world nowdays, because of the ravages of mankind, so the Rowley Shoals should be high on your list of holiday destinations if you want an amazing experience. One you can tell your grandchildren about and still remember the beauty and colour of this spectacular location. Definitely one of Australia’s highlights.

Since the Rowley Shoals are 12 hours off the coast of Broome, you’ll need a way to visit them, and there’s no better choice than the magnificent True North, operated by North Star Cruises.

The True North allows discerning adventurers to experience the wilderness of the Rowley Shoals in surroundings more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels! It even travels with a full-time helicopter - an air-conditioned Bell 407!

Spend 6 days in absolute luxury aboard the True North, and experience the beauty of this magnificent location. We have plenty of diving trips for you to take, as well as delicious meals prepared by our master chefs. Relax in total comfort while our all-Australian crew attends to your every need.

For more information about cruising the Coral Atolls of the Rowley Shoals and other spectacular Kimberley locations, visit our website to download our cruise itenaries: http://www.northstarcruises.com.au

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The state of Queensland (QLD) - located on the eastern corner of the continent - is Australia’s fastest growing state.

Queensland is home to 3.6 million people - about 22% of the total Australian population - and takes a whopping 25% of the continent’s area. The capital city of QLD is Brisbane.

The temperature in most of the region is temperate, with the average temperature in summers being 20

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If you’re looking to play golf on the QLD Sunshine Coast, here’s our recommendations for 2 of the best Golf courses in the region. Actually - these places aren’t just golf “courses” - they are a true destination for the avid golfing nut who also wants to enjoy the ambience of a quality luxury accommodation venue.

1. Hyatt Regency Coolum Golf Course

As the home of the Australian PGA Championship, the golf course of the Hyatt Regency Coolum is rated among the best golf courses in all of Australia. They simply don’t get any better than this. Nowhere else in the Sunshine Coast can you find a golf course that has passed the high expectations and lofty standards of the best golfers in the region and in the world.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, the 6,263-meter, par-72 course is quite a challenge and features such diverse landscapes as coastal holes close to the Pacific Ocean to fairways that traverse through local bushlands. The climate is near-perfect. In addition, there is a well-stocked Pro Shop, training center, floodlit driving range and chipping greens.

Earlier this year, Australian golfer Geoff Ogilvy, the reigning US Open champion, announced that he will be competing regularly at the Australian PGA Championship starting 2006, which is even more reason to visit the course.

About the venue: Set at the base of Mount Coolum, the Hyatt Regency Coolum resort hotel spans 150 hectares of bushland, rainforest and natural woodlands. It sits across the Pacific Ocean, with two kilometers of pristine beaches in between. There are 324 rooms in all, including low-rise resort suites discreetly tucked away in natural Coolum rainforest as well as exclusive hotel villas on the Ambassadors Club that provide top-flight services and amenities. There are three excellent in-house restaurants: the McKenzie Grill, Fish Tales and Village Square.

Venue awards: The Hyatt Regency Coolum has received the following awards and distinctions: “Winner - Deluxe Accommodation” from Queensland Tourism Awards, 1997.

2. Novotel Twin Waters Golf Course

The golf course for the Novotel Twin Waters Resort is a world-class, 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course. Two of the top golf course architects in the world collaborated on its outstanding design: the five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson and world renowned golf course designer Mike Wolveridge. It is ideal for both golf neophytes and professionals.

Avid golfers will likely detect the British influence on the pristine layout of this course, notably in the generous sprinkling of pot bunkers. Regulars here are especially fond of the eighth green in particular, which is said to strongly resemble the famous St. Andrews Road Hole bunker.

The Twin Waters Golf Course is open to the public. Among its other features are an aquatic driving range and fully-stocked pro shop as well as excellent dining and conference facilities.

About the venue: The Novotel Twin Waters Resort is nestles between two impressive bodies of water, the Maroochy River on the left and the Pacific Ocean and its surf beaches on the right. There are a host of natural attractions within easy reach.

Venue awards: The Novotel Twin Waters Resort has received the following awards and distinctions: “Winner - Deluxe Accommodation” from Sunshine Coast Tourism Awards, 2002; “Finalist - Meetings & Business Tourism” from Queensland Tourism Awards, 2002; and “Finalist - Deluxe Accommodation” from Queensland Tourism Awards, 2002.

If you’re visiting the QLD Sunshine Coast region (for golf or otherwise) and want somewhere stylish and luxurious to stay, drop by the Simply Lush website at http://www.simplylush.com - This free travel resource website offers a comprehensive range of luxury accommodation reviews for every state and major city in Australia.

The Sunshine Coast boasts some of Australia’s best luxury five star hotels, resorts and boutique style accommodation. Nothing could be finer than relaxing with a glass of wine on your QLD hotel balcony with a magnificent sunset.

To review the rest of our luxurious Sunshine Coast accommodation recommendations, drop by our website any time of the day or not.

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