Back in 2018, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan embarked on a whirlwind royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. And though they visited the iconic spots including the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, it was the tropical paradise of K’gari, more commonly known as Fraser Island, where they chose to have some well-deserved R&R.
WATCH BELOW: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan step out in Fraser Island
They may have only had one day on the island just a quick ferry ride off the coast of Queensland’s Hervey Bay, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex used it to their full advantage.
The couple stayed at Fraser Island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort and though they may have been tucked away in their own private house, you don’t have to be royalty to be a guest.
The eco resort boasts amenities including four swimming pools, a massage and beauty centre and is literally on the water’s edge so you’re just a short stroll away from the jetty that Harry and Meghan did their official meet and greet along.
At Kingfisher Bay Resort, you can also dine at the various restaurants including the newly launched Sand & Wood that features sharing platters using the finest produce from Queensland.
Despite having their own chef in their royal entourage, Harry and Meghan enjoyed signature dishes from the Seabelle Restaurant during their stay.
“It was an absolute honour to cook for the royals,” said Kingfisher Bay Resort’s executive chef Udaysen Mohite. “These are the kind of meals that everyone can eat every night of the week at Kingfisher.”
Since Meghan is a self-confessed foodie, the ‘rainforest to the plate’ concept where indigenous ingredients from Fraser Island are incorporated into a fine dining experience was a hit.
WATCH BELOW: What royal Meghan Markle eats in a day. Post continues after video…
Whilst Kingfisher Bay Resort is a private paradise in itself, as the world’s largest sand island there’s so much to see. K’gari, the Indigenous name for the island, literally means paradise after all.
Though Meghan didn’t get to explore as the bumpy off-road tracks were deemed unsafe for the then-pregnant royal, Prince Harry visited some of K’gari’s most beautiful sights.
When Prince Harry unveiled a plaque for the dedication of the forests of K’gari to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) program, he couldn’t ignore the natural beauty of the rainforests.
“It is up to us now to protect this paradise together, not just because it looks beautiful, but because it is a essential part of our existence and will continue to be for our children and their children’s children,” he said in his speech.
When you visit the rainforests on the island, you literally have to crane your neck up to see the treetops. The iconic Big Tree, a 1,000-year-old satinay that has survived Fraser’s logging past is breathtaking in itself.
The redheaded royal also paddled in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie and participated in a traditional welcome to country smoking ceremony by an Indigenous Butchulla elder and following in his footsteps is a must.
If swimming isn’t your thing, just bring along a towel and gaze out at the view – you can genuinely spend hours here.
With international borders unlikely to open for a little while longer, Fraser Island should be your next holiday destination.
If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us!
Back in 2018, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan embarked on a whirlwind royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. And though they visited the iconic spots including the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, it was the tropical paradise of K’gari, more commonly known as Fraser Island, where they chose to have some well-deserved R&R.
WATCH BELOW: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan step out in Fraser Island
Back in 2018, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan embarked on a whirlwind royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. And though they visited the iconic spots including the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, it was the tropical paradise of K’gari, more commonly known as Fraser Island, where they chose to have some well-deserved R&R.
WATCH BELOW: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan step out in Fraser Island