The opportunity to camp out in style and enjoy spectacular Great Barrier Reef adventures is the core experience to be provided by P&O Australian Resorts� new Holidays with a Difference package � The Wilson Island Experience launching November 14.

The remote coral cay, located 8 nautical miles north of Heron Island (a 40 minute boat ride), is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it, its pristine waters host to unimaginable variety of marine life. The new Wilson Island Experience will be packaged with pre and post accommodation at Heron Island as a complete 5-night escape that offers seclusion in a setting of unrivalled natural beauty. Wilson Island will provide a maximum of 12 guests (no children under 16yrs) with access to the pristine reef and beach environments including turtle and rare bird breeding grounds. Guests on Wilson Island will be able to enjoy exceptional snorkelling, bird watching, island and reef walks, or simply relax within the peaceful natural setting. In season (November � March) Wilson will offer unparalleled opportunities to view turtle nesting activity and later the emergence of the tiny turtle hatchlings.

Only through extensive liaison with both National and Marine Park authorities and a strong commitment to creating a unique Great Barrier Reef experience has Wilson Island become available � the underlying philosophy is to ensure that the Island remains as natural as possible. Facilities on Wilson Island reflect the unique nature of the coral cay as a National Park within a Marine Park and are designed to exist within a pristine natural environment.

In establishing Wilson Island, the design brief was to create an ecologically-sound facility that would ensure the castaway experience was as equal in the comfort and style stakes as it was in the unique opportunities that Wilson Island provided in terms of nature-based island and reef adventures.

Adhering to the strict requirements of ecological sustainability and falling within the parameters of minimal-impact, Pike Withers (the interior specialists responsible for the chic transformation of the exclusive Bedarra Island) have developed a concept for Wilson Island that allows a limited number of people to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended whilst protecting the unique value of this fragile environment. Six designer-inspired permanent tent sites have been established on Wilson Island. A separate amenities building houses six shower and dressing areas (one designated for each tent) in addition to toilet and vanity areas. Other features on the island include The Longhouse, a spacious open-sided central complex with dining, lounge and bar facilities. Wilson facilities are designed to environmental standards and incorporate high-end designer details, with all services and materials meeting the requirements of being non-polluting and self-contained. Solar power and rain water collection systems are used on the Island with batteries providing lighting in guest accommodation areas. Strict waste management policies also apply.

Guest tents are based on a modern beachcombing theme with interior elements creating a stylish living space that combines simplicity of design with comfort. Each tent has raised timber floors, king-sized beds and a private deck that offers reef views.

The Longhouse - the central guest lounge and dining area - has a spacious open-sided design that features large sun bleached timber poles and an interior in-keeping with a relaxed sand and sea theme. The Longhouse will be the social centre of Wilson Island, the informal bar and lounge with its library of books, games and CDs inviting guests to interact and unwind, the large dining table creating a casual dinner party atmosphere.

Meals on the island will be dinner party or gourmet picnic in style � a commitment to freshness, simplicity and variety guiding the menu. A buffet breakfast will be provided with hot breakfasts cooked to order.

Lunch can be enjoyed in The Longhouse with guests choosing from a variety of deli platters or alternatively a picnic basket can be taken to a sandy beach. The Longhouse becomes the focus for the evening with a three-course meal, fine wine and cheerful conversation enjoyed around a central dining table.

Sunset pre-dinner drinks and canapes are enjoyed on the beach and returning to The Longhouse guests will find the table set for a gathering of friends, music playing, candles lit and the Island Hosts* making final preparations for a dinner party. The menu changes daily with the relaxed and leisurely dinner party enjoying a different theme each evening.

A true communion with nature is at the core of the Wilson Island Experience � to live and enjoy life as a beachcomber. Days can be filled snorkelling and exploring the Island, in-season watching turtles and birds nesting along with the birth of hatchlings, or simply lazing in a hammock and enjoying the views. Diving the local reefs is another option by way of boat charters.

Those that are drawn to the Wilson Island Experience will see the pristine nature of the island, its seclusion and the freedom from modern-day living part of its appeal. Wilson Island is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended.

The Wilson Island Experience will be available from 14 November and is priced at $1,690 per person twin share (no children under 16yrs). The Wilson Island Experience will not be available in February when National Parks closes Wilson Island for the seabird nesting season. The package commences on Thursdays only and includes 2-nights accommodation on Heron Island (Thursday night and the following Monday night) with all meals and selected activities, 3-nights accommodation on Wilson Island with all meals, selected premium Australian wines, beer and soft drinks. Transfers between Heron and Wilson Island also included. Additional nights on Heron Island can be booked pre and post Wilson Island � rates from $210 per person twin share. Transfers from Gladstone to Heron Island, via catamaran or helicopter, additional.

Wilson Island Hosts: From welcoming guests on Heron Island through to ensuring their every moment on Wilson Island is as they imagined it, the Wilson Island Hosts play a vital role in The Wilson Island Experience. Well travelled and with a solid background in education and science, Matt Forrest and Kristine Cambridge have extensive experience in environmental interpretation and hospitality. Kristine and Matt have been part of the P&O Australian Resorts� team for a number of years having worked on Dunk, Brampton and Heron Islands. Prior to their resort management roles, both have trained and worked in environmental sciences spending a number of years with the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage as field technicians specialising in the tagging, testing and tracking of marine turtles. Matt and Kristine have a genuine interest and an in-depth knowledge of forest and marine ecosystems. In a resort environment, they have extensive experience in the development of guest programs designed to maximise the enjoyment of National and Marine Parks. On Wilson Island, Kristine and Matt will be able to share their knowledge of the extraordinary variety of marine life that makes the Great Barrier Reef one of the wonders of the world. Their experiences in living in remote locations and working with wildlife will add interest to dinner party conversations.

Travel details: World Heritage Listed Heron Island, located on the Great Barrier Reef, is renowned as a unique natural wonder � a true coral cay. Heron Island is situated, 72 kilometres north-east off the coast from Gladstone, central Queensland, 540 kilometres north of Brisbane, on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Wilson Island is accessed via Heron Island � via a 40 minute boat ride (return transfers to/from Wilson Island are included in the Wilson Island Experience).

Guests travel from Gladstone to Heron Island via launch or helicopter (costs additional). A courtesy coach departs Gladstone Airport each day for transfer to Gladstone Marina and connection with Heron Island catamaran service. (Guests transferring to Wilson Island must be on Heron Island on Thursdays)

The catamaran transfer to Heron Island is $82 per adult one way. Helicopter transfer from Gladstone Airport to Heron Island is also available - $274 per person one way.

For bookings and further information on Heron Island and the Wilson Island Experience, contact P&O Australian Resorts on 1800 737678 (freecall within Australia) or telephone 61 2 9277 5050. Via the web www.poresorts.com or email reservations@poresorts.com

All package prices in Australian dollars and valid until 31 March 2003

Media Contact: Julia Gauci, P&O Australian Resorts, 61-2-9364-8350, julia.gauci@poresorts.com

Selected images of Wilson Island and architects� impressions of the tented accommodations are available for download from the media section of the www.poresorts.com website. Image discs provided on request.