A holiday where every moment makes you feel like a queen
Mini Mathur’s Queensland itinerary is truly indulgent
Travel means different things to different people. For some, it’s a way to unwind from the daily grind. For others, it’s a chance to indulge, to treat yourself to something more luxurious. And for many, it’s about reconnecting with nature, feeling the grass underfoot, being enveloped by lush greenery, watching the ocean unfurl in all its colossal brilliance.
If you’re someone who wants to spend time in nature without giving up on that VIP treatment, Queensland, Australia offers the best of both worlds. To find out how to holiday like a celebrity there, we asked someone in the know: Former VJ, TV host, and actor Mini Mathur. She had visited the Sunshine State with her husband, filmmaker Kabir Khan, in December 2024 and her itinerary was packed with rich, immersive experiences.
We asked her to share her recommendations for the best places to stay, must-visit spots for indulgent meals and the most unforgettable experiences – she did not disappoint.
The most luxurious experiences Queensland has to offer, according to Mini Mathur
Stay at the Silky Oaks Lodge
For Mathur, her Queensland adventure began deep in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, at the luxurious yet earthy Silky Oaks Lodge, a peaceful retreat nestled beside the freshwater Mossman River. “It’s the ultimate luxury, done in that typical rustic country way,” she said, describing her stay. “The rainforest here is very, very different from the Amazon. The Mossman river flows right through the forest, and you can hear it rushing right next to your room—like something out of a picture book.” From her treehouse suite, she could see and hear the forest throughout the day, feeling completely immersed in nature while relaxing in the lap of luxury.
One of her most memorable experiences during the stay included the indigenous-led cultural walk at Mossman Gorge. It began with a traditional smoke ceremony used to ward off bad spirits, followed by a gentle stroll through the forest as local guides shared stories of the land, pointed out native fruits, birds, and medicinal plants, and brought the legends of their ancestors to life. “It ended with chai and breakfast in the rainforest,” she recalled.
The lodge also offers a taste of local culture through its cuisine, which features native ingredients and seasonal produce. Guests can also admire artworks by Aboriginal artists, including an installation of 45 ceramic tiles created by members of the Yalanji Arts Centre, an elegant tribute to the heritage and stories of the region.
Treat yourself to the degustation menu at Nautilus
What is a good holiday without soul-satiating food? Mathur agrees that when she’s on a holiday, food is at the top of her list of priorities, and this restaurant did not disappoint. Nautilus Restaurant, tucked away in Port Douglas, feels like a “rainforest within a rainforest,” she says. You sit under the canopy with ferns all around you and try their incredible five-course degustation menu. From pan-seared scallops with vanilla purée to their mango soufflé with biscuit wafers and coconut sorbet, every course makes you crave another bite even if your tummy has no real estate left.
The restaurant opens at 5:30 pm, and you must make prior reservations for dinner. The menu changes often, so check ahead during your visit.
Fly over the Heart Reef in a helicopter
What’s more luxurious than chartering a helicopter for some sightseeing and snorkeling on a remote island? “We flew over the Heart Reef—this perfect little heart-shaped coral formation floating in the ocean. You can’t land on it, but just seeing it from the air is unreal,” she says. “It’s one of those postcard views you can’t believe exists until you see it.”
These tours are offered by Heart Reef Helicopter Tours and can be booked online.
From there, the helicopter touched down on a private pontoon at Hardy’s Reef, where she and her husband Kabir snorkelled and dived in crystal-clear waters, far from crowds and chaos.
Have champagne and sushi on a remote island
If privacy is the ultimate luxury, Whitehaven Beach is where you’ll find it. With sand as white as talcum powder and waters so clear they could pass for glass, this uninhabited beach was the next stop on Mathur’s Queensland adventure. The sand here has 98 per cent silica, which means it is at peak purity.
“We were the only ones there,” she says about the beach that is part of the Whitsunday Islands, just off the northeast coast of Queensland. “We had champagne and sushi, and not a soul in sight. It was like something out of a fantasy film.”
Accessible only by private helicopters and select charters, you can make lunch reservations with Fish D’vine Catering during your holiday in Queensland. They also provide shuttle service between Port of Airlie to Whitehaven Beach.
Experience indulgence at Qualia
Situated on Hamilton Island and perched above the Coral Sea with uninterrupted views of the Whitsundays, the stay at Qualia Resort was the highlight of Mathur’s Queensland trip. “We flew in on a private helicopter that landed right on the helipad,” she recalls. Her villa came with sweeping ocean views and a personal golf buggy to explore the island at leisure. Whether lounging by the private pool, being visited by wild parakeets on her deck, or simply soaking in the tranquillity, our time there was defined by stillness and pampering.
One evening, she and Kabir dined at Bommie, the fine-dining restaurant housed within the island’s yacht club. “Seven courses, five types of cutlery, and views for days,” she laughs. “Bommie is so beautifully designed; it’s like dining on a sky deck. Every dish was a piece of art, and the wine pairings were spot on.”
For Mathur, the food in Queensland was just as unforgettable as the landscapes. “We ate like there was no tomorrow,” she says.