Reefsleep 

Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef in a swag tent under the stars. Horizon invisible. Stars blazing. If you’re in, you’re in for an adventure.

Most people get a few hours out on the Great Barrier Reef. You get the whole night. When the afternoon fast cat leaves with 150+ day trippers, you stay - with fewer than 25 fellow explorers. Your bed? A swag-tent-pod on a floating pontoon 39 nautical miles offshore, canvas rolled back to nothing but stars and sea. No walls, no ceiling, no infinity pool needed.

It’s a pretty exclusive feeling and a gourmet dinner is all part of it. But the true luxury is having the Great Barrier Reef almost to yourself. By day it’s spectacular, but at midnight it’s something else entirely. Stars brilliant, sharp and breathtaking. Silence so deep it becomes a sound - broken only by sweetlips and shrimp foraging below. Sunlight melting from peach to glowing gold. Surprise visitors? When the season’s right, dolphins and humpback whales. Dawn is all about the coffee, the quiet and the coral. Swimming, snorkelling and an easy wander through the underwater observatory. Untouched by crowds, the reef is power-packed and primal.

The lowdown on your stay

You’ll start like everyone else on a Cruise Whitsundays trip: snorkelling, swimming, diving and doing a semi-sub tour. But at 2.30pm, you check into your private pontoon zone. Your daybed is also your swag-pod - zip it up for privacy or unzip and drift off under the stars (for the ultimate upgrade, go for a night in the submarine Reefsuites). Afternoon is practically private reef time. Evening, a jovial communal dinner. Sunrise equals barista coffee and a shimmering snorkel.

Bathroom facilities are shared and spotless. Wetsuits, snorkelling gear, food and drink are all included. The crew are equal parts pro and relaxed. With a 2pm checkout, you’ve got even more reef time before cruising back to Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach.