Elliott Barsby of Man of Many describes a relaxing babymoon at InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, where he and his six-months-pregnant wife focused on unwinding. The trip featured seamless transfers, luxurious accommodations, and tailored experiences amid the Whitsundays. Despite the emphasis on relaxation, they included a snorkeling outing on the Great Barrier Reef.
Elliott Barsby, a writer for Man of Many, organized a babymoon for himself and his wife, who was six months pregnant and sought a simple escape to relax by the pool or beach, enjoy good food, and sip mocktails without further activities.
The journey began at Hamilton Island airport, where a concierge greeted them and arranged a boat transfer across the Whitsunday Passage. They settled into a lounge with sparkling water for Barsby's wife and champagne for him, arriving at Hayman Island via golf carts through tropical gardens.
They stayed in the One Bedroom Ocean View Pool Suite, featuring a living area, four-poster king bed, open-plan bathroom with bath, double vanity, and separate shower. The suite's private balcony overlooked the iconic palm-lined pool, the largest in Australia, and the Coral Sea, providing a calming space for relaxation.
Dining highlighted the resort's offerings, with reservations at different restaurants each night. At Pacific, the signature beachfront venue, they dined at a solitary table by a fire pit under candlelight, enjoying non-alcoholic cocktails for her and champagne for him. Courses included poached Western rock lobster tail with parsnip mousse and green beans, and eye fillet with Queensland prawns, Paris butter, and smoked mash. Bam Bam served favorites like soft shell crab with smoked sriracha mayo, crispy pork belly with watermelon and pear, and crispy skin duck panang curry. Amici offered comforting Italian fare, excellent pizzas, and Negronis, including a quiet pizza night in their suite.
Activities aligned with relaxation but included a spa visit: Barsby received a bespoke massage, while his wife enjoyed the “Babymoon Bliss” treatment with nutrient-rich oils and a soothing belly facial for her bump. A full-day snorkeling tour on the Great Barrier Reef, a long-held wish for her, was managed seamlessly by the staff, who ensured her comfort in the third trimester. They explored coral gardens, schools of fish, reef sharks, and followed a turtle back to the boat.
Otherwise, days involved beach or pool lounging, morning runs spotting rock wallabies on island trails, and an afternoon basketball session. Barsby noted the trip as restorative and ideal for quality time before their family expands. The review discloses that they stayed as guests of the resort.
