Island for the Young

This year a Great Barrier Reef island became the world’s first resort island specifically for young travelers.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches 1,258 miles along the northeastern coast of Australia. Twenty of its islands have resorts, but Long Island is the first to limit itself to travelers between the ages of 18 and 35.

Long Island, one of the Whitsunday Islands, is about three miles long and less than a mile wide. It’s a national park mostly covered by dense rain forest.

The only development on the island is the new 40-acre, two-story resort complex, a $40-million U.S. investment by the world’s largest youth tour operator, Contiki Travel.

Contiki has announced that rates for 5-, 7- and 10-day visits include breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine and activities such as sailing, windsurfing, swimming (pool or ocean), snorkeling, bush walking, tennis, volleyball and use of the gym. There is a nominal charge for scuba diving and for all fuel-driven activities such as para-flying and reef cruises.

From Units to Lodges

The year-round resort has 145 twin or triple-share tropical units, and two lodges with 32 rooms for tour groups. Each unit has a private bathroom, radio, shower, telephone and coffee-making equipment.

Rates are offered for one, two or three persons sharing a unit. Contiki will arrange roommates for solo travelers who want twin or triple rates.

A five-day stay for a single traveler costs $491 U.S.; if you share a unit with one other person the rate would be $397, and with two others it would be $359.

Long Island is reached by a 40-minute launch trip from Shute Harbour on the mainland or a 30-minute launch trip from Hamilton Island. If you fly into Hamilton Island on Ansett Airlines the launch trip is free.

Contiki Travel has been operating tours for the 18- to 35-year-old group for 27 years. It has programs in Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. The trips are marketed internationally, and attract passengers from a variety of English-speaking countries.

Contiki has been operating Concept Tours on 50-seater buses in Australia for several years. Next year it’s going to try something different: four-wheel drive, eight-passenger adventure tours.

The adventure tours offer young travelers a way to reach two of Australia’s more remote areas. Be prepared to rough it, though. The company provides a driver/guide, but everyone is expected to help with meals. Accommodations range from hotels to cabins, bush camps and campsites.

The 12-day Kimberley Adventure circles out from Darwin, operates from May until September and ranges from $942 to $1,017, meals included.

The 15-day Cape York Adventure circles from Cairns, operates May to October and ranges from $1,017 to $1,093, meals included.

Contiki’s Concept Tours operate throughout the year. The rates are based on accommodations in multi-share rooms that could be in hotels, cabins, lodges or even sailboats.

For example, a 21-day Whitsunday and Reef Explorer that travels the coastal area between Sydney and Cairns costs from $1,165 and includes two nights at the Long Island Resort, eight nights in cabins and three nights’ flotilla sailing.

Contiki has arranged free two-night stopovers in Sydney, Auckland or Waikiki (plus airport transfers) if you book one of its tours and fly on Air New Zealand or Qantas.

For more details, contact a travel agent or Contiki Travel America, 1432 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim 92805, (714) 937-0611.

For more information on travel to Australia, ask for a free copy of the “Aussie Holiday Book” from the Australian Tourist Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1200, Los Angeles 90067, (213) 552-1988.