A Soul-Soothing Stay in the Whitsundays.

If you’ve been craving the kind of escape that quiets your mind then Elysian Retreat is it.

I had so much going on when leaving the mainland of Airlie beach, work, travel planning and going through a horrible heartbreak but somehow by some miracle, arriving onto Long Island silenced all of that noise. Elysian Retreat on Long Island in the Whitsundays offers something you don’t find often anymore- true stillness. It’s not about aesthetic Instagram stories (although, trust me, you’ll still get those), but about how it makes you feel- grounded, nourished, and deeply at peace.

🌴 Getting There

Your journey begins with a scenic helicopter flight or private boat from either shute harbour or Hamilton Island. The Elysian team meets you at the marina and handles everything so you can slip straight into island mode.

Within 30 minutes, the mainland becomes a distant memory. As you step off the boat, you’re greeted with fresh juice, a very warm welcome, and that first breath of salty air. The whole place feels sacred, almost like you’ve been let in on a top secret. (But I’ll let you in on that secret here 🤫)

🛖 The Rooms

With only 10 oceanfront villas and 20 guests maximum, Elysian makes you feel like you’ve got the whole island to yourself. There’s actually a beautiful villa on the corner of the retreat which has its own private pool, but unfortunately that was booked out when I went so be sure to book in advance.

The design is minimalist and earthy, lots of natural textures, wooden furnishings, neutral linens, and big louvre windows to let in the sea breeze. Most of the villas also have a eco-friendly outdoor rainforest showers. Everything feels intentional.

🍽 The Food

Elysian is all-inclusive, but this isn’t a low quality buffet-style resort with limited and unhealthy options. Every dish is plated with care using local, seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced from nearby farms or grown on-site.

Here’s a taste (literally) of what we ate:

• Lunches included a Middle Eastern rice bowl, and the most delicious crispy crab bao buns

• Dinners were a full experience! One night we had perfectly cooked salmon with roasted vegetables, and another night featured both fillet steak and tender porchetta that honestly melted in the mouth

• Breakfast began with fresh tropical fruit platters and pastries, followed by a rotating hot dish- my go-to was avocado on toast, but there were always options

They catered to dietary preferences with ease, and every meal felt nourishing without being overly complicated.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa

One of the highlights of our stay was the spa treatment and I don’t say this lightly, but it was genuinely one of the best massages I’ve ever had. Set in a private, tranquil space just steps from the beach, the whole treatment felt immersive, not just physically but emotionally.

Warm oils, the perfect pressure, the sound of the waves in the background… it felt like my nervous system finally got a moment to rest.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Daily Activities

The beauty of Elysian is in the pace. There’s no itinerary, no pressure. Just space to listen to your own wants and needs.

Our mornings started with vinyasa yoga overlooking the sea, followed by breakfast and slowly getting ready for the day. Some days we took out the provided kayaks/ paddle boards or floated in the saltwater pool. One morning, we hiked a marked trail around the island, following coloured ribbons that led us up into the hills and back down again. An easy and peaceful loop with epic views and no need for Google Maps. One thing that sets Elysian apart from other resorts is that they really do consider the small details. There were things in our room that I have never seen in any other hotel room before. One of the examples being, a whole set to do your own paint and sip (bubbly included 🥂)

🌿 Sustainability

Elysian has a genuine commitment to sustainability. It’s not just a few signs for show but it’s literally woven into every detail of your stay. How is that you ask? The entire resort runs 100% off solar power along with the water coming from filtered rainwater tanks. All toiletries and cleaning products are biodegradable with no single-use plastics anywhere on-site, even the straws are made from paper or metal. The villas are naturally ventilated with wide spacing and ceiling fans ( encouraging no unnecessary air-con usage)

There’s a real sense of harmony here between the environment, the design, the people, and the experience. You can feel that it’s been created with care.

✨ Final Thoughts

Elysian Retreat wasn’t just a getaway it was a mental cleanse. The kind of experience you carry with you long after you leave.

I left already dreaming of coming back one day and of course I wanted to tell all of you about this hidden gem too!

📍Travel Info

• Location: Long Island, Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia

• Getting There: Fly into Hamilton Island Airport and take a 30-minute boat transfer with the Elysian team

• Website: elysianretreat.com.au