General Information

The Wedding of Bree & Mark – Friday 19^th September 2014

Travel & Useful Information

Getting to Airlie Beach

There are two airports that service the Airlie Beach region – Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Hamilton Island airports. Both Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly into these airports. A little further away is Mackay airport.

Hamilton Island – Both Virgin Australia and Jetstar fly into this airport. Virgin Australia has direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane, and connecting flights through these ports from all Australian cities. Jetstar offers direct services from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There is a ferry company which operates from Hamilton Island Airport to the mainland. These ferries meet all flights. Cruise Whitsundays travel to Abel Point Marina in Airlie Beach and to Shute Harbour with a connecting shuttle service into Airlie Beach (10 km). You can find pricing and timetable information on the company’s web site.

Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) – located approximately 25 kms from Airlie Beach. Virgin Australia has daily connecting flights from across Australia via Brisbane into Proserpine. Jetstar also offers a daily service from Brisbane. Most of the major hire car companies have representatives at Proserpine airport. There is also a bus service that operates into Airlie Beach (Whitsunday Transit) and taxis meet all flights.

Mackay – located approximately 160Kms from Airlie Beach. Tiger Airlines have very reasonable direct flights to Mackay from Melbourne and Sydney. Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas also operate direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth & Cairns. Most of the major hire car companies have representatives at Mackay airport. The 2 hour trip to Airlie Beach can also be arranged through via private transfer with Ocean Breeze Transfers or the Greyhound Bus is an alternative.

Accommodation            

Detailed accommodation information and links are provided on our Accommodation Page.
Use the "View Room Type and Enquire" buttons on this page and our wedding discount code (provided in copy of this information guide with invitation - contact us if you need code) - to get discount at the places identified.

5 places we suggest:

 

It would be nice if you choose to stay in one of these suggested locations, as this keeps everyone together and makes it easier to catch up whilst we are all in the area. Villa Botanica has negotiated special discounted rates for all guests at most of these hotels (Pinnacles, Boathouse, Coral Sea), while wotif.com has discounted prices on Blue Horizon and Colonial Palms. Please go to the Villa Botanica web site, www.villabotanica.com.au, Weddings then Local Accommodation where you will be able to make enquiries and book directly taking advantage of Villa Botanica’s special rates by quoting our special wedding reference code (email us for code - for Pinnacles, Boathouse, Coral Sea). 

We plan on being in Airlie Beach from Tuesday 16^th Sept until Tuesday 23^rd Sept and staying at Pinnacles Resort and then either Boathouse apartments or Coral Sea Resort (still deciding).  Pinnacles is spectacular though up a very steep hill. Boathouse and Coral Sea are both very close to town (at opposite ends).  While Blue Horizon and Colonial Palms are both a flat 600m walk to town (approx. 10 min).  There are plenty of other accommodation options if none of these match your requirements.

Transport

For optimum convenience, all our guests will be brought to and from Villa Botanica in private shuttles.  You will be sent your shuttle pick up point and time closer to the wedding. Villa Botanica exists within a gated community with no options of private transport. Please ensure you advise us of your accommodation choice either with your rsvp or notify us by email once you have booked a location. We will be providing you with the precise pick up point and time closer to our wedding day.

Order of Events

One of the special things about Villa Botanica is that the ceremony, photography and reception all take place at one convenient location. Here is an outline of the timeframe for our special day:

Friday 19 September 2014

2:00pm	Guests picked up from accommodation
3:00pm	Ceremony
3:30pm	Photography
5:15pm	Sunset Cocktail & Drinks
6:30pm	Reception
11:00pm	Guests returned to accommodation

Gifts

You have all travelled from far and wide to be with us and we appreciate that you have made such a huge effort to join us on our special day and hence we do not wish you to bring a gift.  If you do wish to do something, we would love you to donate to your chosen charity on our behalf. 

Childcare

Please note that due to the venue’s number constraints that this is an adult only event.  Child care can be arranged off-site. If you require a babysitter while attending the wedding, please call Airlie Beach Babysitting by Danielle on 0439 469 234 or visit their website: www.airliebeachbabysitting.com.au.

Weather & Attire

The Whitsundays has lovely weather most of the year round.  The spring months can be very warm during the afternoon, with the maximum daily temperatures averaging between 26 and 28°C with overnight minimums averaging between 18 and 24°C. You will need to pack your hat and sunscreen; ladies, we also recommend that you bring something light to cover shoulders for it can feel cooler with the sea breezes in the evening.  The dress for the ceremony and reception is cocktail.  Bare feet are not permitted for health and safety regulations, so it is suggested ladies bring comfortable shoes/flats for dancing the night away.

Activities

Updated information on activities we might consider doing together will be provided on the Activities Page.

We look forward to spending a few fabulous days in the Beautiful Whitsunday’s with our close friends and family.  We are planning to stay in Airlie Beach for a week before setting off on our Honeymoon on Tuesday 23^rd Sept.  If you would like to make it a bit more of a holiday and stay a few days then we would love to have more time to catch up and playJ.  A rough outline of activities we are considering at this stage is provided below:

 

Wed 17 Sept	Bushwalk to local waterfalls	Sat 20 Sept	BBQ and Party @ Airlie Lagoon (Mark’s 40th Birthday J) Dinner at local restaurant – dancing!
Thurs 18 Sept	Evening welcome drinks (TBC)	Sun 21 Sept	Ocean rafting adventure to Whitehaven (Inc. snorkeling & beach cricket)
Fri19 Sept	Wedding Day	Mon 22 Sept	Considering a trip to the outer reef (Hardy’s Reef) for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Each of these activities will have a link posted on our blog through which you may RSVP or book for.  More information (and links) will be posted shortly.  J