Whitsundays tourism businesses Cruise Whitsundays and Hamilton Island have partnered to create a very special and significant celebration at Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday islands, Queensland, Australia for Chinese New Year.
 

A life sized horse will be hand sculpted from glistening white sand each day to celebrate the Year of the Horse and people visiting Whitehaven Beach every day during the new year celebrations will be able to see the horse being sculpted, learn about how to sculpt sand and have their picture taken with the sculpture.
 

World Champion sand sculptor Dennis Massoud has built sand sculptures in China's Gobi Desert, Luliang Unan province and has worked for 5 consecutive years in China.  See: www.sandinyoureyes.com
 

Mr Massoud will be at Whitehaven Beach every day from Friday 31 January - Thursday 6 February sculpting the life size horse, as well as conducting mini sand sculpting workshops for those interested in learning about the art.
 

Cruise Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Nick Hortle said he expected the sculpture to be very popular.
 

"Whitehaven Beach is one of the world's most beautiful beaches with it's fine white silica sand, and we have sourced one of the world's best sand sculptors to create something really special for Chinese New Year," Mr Hortle said.
 

"The Whitsundays is home to Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef and Heart Reef all in one location, so it is a fantastic destination to relax and enjoy a new year break, and there is still accommodation available to stay here during Chinese New Year," he said.
 

"Cruise Whitsundays will have several boats visiting Whitehaven Beach each day during that period so there is still time to book."
 

On Hamilton Island, Australia's premier Island resort, there will be a festive feeling and sense of celebration for the large numbers of Chinese guests travelling from within Australia and from China to enjoy the new year.
 

"We will have street stalls, a Chinese dragon show and we encourage all of our Chinese guests to travel to Whitehaven Beach - not just to see this spectacular icon of the Whitsundays but for the unique opportunity to see this amazing sand sculpture celebrating the Year of the Horse," Senior Communications Manager Sophie Baker said.
 

The sand sculpting spectacle is free for all guests travelling with Cruise Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach.  Whitehaven Beach cruises start from for a half day cruise.  Cruises depart Hamilton Island as well as Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Long Island, daily.
 

Chinese speaking staff will be on board Cruise Whitsundays tours to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach through the new year period, as well as on Whitehaven Beach to assist with the sculpting workshops.

About the Whitsundays:

The Whitsundays are made up of 74 Island Wonders, on the beautiful tropical coast of Queensland, Australia. Situated literally in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, a visit to the Whitsundays is a feast for the senses. The stunning natural landscapes of coast and islands are dotted with secluded beaches and friendly towns. Whether you choose to base yourself on the coast or on the islands, there's so much to do, you'll have to work out how to fit it all in! 

About us:

Award winning Cruise Whitsundays is an experienced maritime operator offering a range of Day Cruises and Island Resort Connections as well as tailor-made activities for the conference, incentive and Weddings market. Cruises visit the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and islands. 'Resort Connections' provide services between island resorts to and from the mainland and airports.

www.cruisewhitsundays.com

Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.  Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia - natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna.  Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options.  There are direct flight connections from major Australian cities. 

www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Whitehaven Beach cruises:

Undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven Beach is one of the Whitsundays 'must do's'.  Cruise Whitsundays' high speed and comfortable vessels cruise through the Whitsunday islands to Whitehaven Beach twice per day offering a taste of this spectacular icon.  The half day cruises allow you to explore the more remote, beautiful and secluded bays of the Whitsunday islands enroute to Whitehaven Beach, while the full day cruise allows guests to explore Whitehaven Beach from the southern end of the beach where you can swim, sunbathe and wallow in the crystal clear waters, and a cruise up the length of the beach to the northern end exploring spectacular Hill Inlet and the breathtaking lookout.

www.cruisewhitsundays.com

Facts about Whitehaven Beach:

• The sand never gets hot under your feet, no matter how hot it is, because the bright white sand reflects the light;
• Even Geologists cannot be sure where the silica sand on Whitehaven Beach comes from although there are several unproven theories. One theory even includes a sunken volcano;
• Whitehaven Beach is regularly named as one of the top five beaches in the world; 
  
• CNN.com awarded Whitehaven Beach the most eco friendly beach in the world;
• The fine sand particles are great for polishing jewellery.

Danielle Krista, Publicity Manager

+61 7 4946 7208 | +61 414 313 769
communications@marinetourism.co.nz