The Whitsundays are about as close to paradise as you can get, writes Gemma Wasley.

The Whitsundays – a collection of 74 beautiful islands nestled right in the heart of the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Located in Tropical North Queensland, this particular part of the globe could easily be mistaken for paradise. Visiting the Whitsunday Islands for our two-year anniversary, my girlfriend and I stayed in the extremely chilled yet enjoyably bustling resort of Airlie Beach – the perfect base from which to discover the many wonders the Whitsundays have to offer. Airlie Beach offers an expansive array of accommodation, ranging from luxury hotels and boutique apartments, to campsites and wallet-friendly backpacking hostels.

As guests of the self-proclaimed ‘gay-friendly’ boutique accommodation Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat, we found a private, romantic and more than affordable hideaway. The dry, ‘winter’ season – May to October – is highly recommended since it’s the best time to avoid stingers, making it less painful both physically and financially.

Due to the transient nature of the town the shops, bars and restaurants of Airlie Beach are open seven days a week providing an almost overwhelming choice for every type of traveller. The Shipwrecked Seafood Bar and Grill is a unique little place that oozes old-fashioned, nautical charm and has been visited by a surprising number of A-list celebrities. It even goes so far as to proudly display a wall plaque that details the dishes that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban devoured on their recent visit here. A small shout-out should also go to the subtle yet deliciously deadly cocktails that instantly became an Airlie Beach favourite.

When the moment arrives for you to drag yourself away from the friendly and laid-back vibe of Airlie Beach, there are countless travel shops littered along Shute Harbour Road, the main road through town, that try to out-do each other in offering the best prices on excursions in and around the islands. Fancy an exhilarating helicopter ride over the reef with a champagne picnic on the beach for lunch? No worries. Want to go for a sail around the islands on a sexy yacht, including a leisurely snorkel with the giant sea turtles? No problem. Want to try your hand fishing from the boat deck with an afternoon of scuba diving looking for Nemo? You’ve got it. An unforgettable visit to Whitehaven Beach, considered by most to be one of the Top 10 beaches in the world, with sand so brilliantly pure you can clean your teeth with it? An absolute must.

If you’re looking to be in the heart of all things gay, the Whitsundays will disappoint. Having said that, the locals have no interest in your choice of bed partner. The gayest thing around here will probably be the colour of the coral or the blatant ‘queen’ in ‘Queensland’.

Oh, and I heard that that small but perfectly formed pop/rock-star Pink flew into Long Island in the Whitsundays recently for a bit of Great Barrier Reef bikini-strutting. Any closer to booking your ticket yet?