The Holiday Makers

REEF: What first attracted you to hamilton island? for us it Was the tanned godlike and very fabulous yachties. COLLETTE DINNIGAN: The perfect environment to mix sport and relaxation. Also meeting interesting visitors.

REEF: What's been your most memorable moment on the island? this answer doesn't need to be censored. COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Seeing the whales up close whilst sailing on a yacht. A magical experience.

REEF: What Would you advise your best friend to do While they are here? Yes you can share it.
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Most definitely go to Whitehaven Beach. Do some paddle boarding and snorkelling. Visit Spa qualia.

REEF: What is your ultimate swimsuit? Bikini or full piece?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Bikini.

REEF: What is your scariest swimwear moment?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Cant share that, too embarrassing.

REEF: What is the one piece of advice you would give every woman/man before they purchase their swimwear?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Cover up what needs to be covered up.

REEF: Who is your favourite travel pioneer?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Amelia earhart.

REEF: Powerful dry martini or champagne, Which one is your celebratory Reef sundowner?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Champagne, a glass of Dom Pérignon.

REEF: Window or aisle seat?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Window.

REEF: Ocean or pool?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Ocean, I love the sea.

REEF: Sunset or sunrise?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Sunset

REEF: How do you travel to the island, trunks, butlers, 15 cases or hand luggage?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Butlers, if only.

REEF: What’s the biggest sporting/ outdoor adventure you’ve ever had apart from shopping?
COLLETTE DINNIGAN: Cross-country horse racing.

REEF: What first attracted you to Hamilton Island? For us it was the tanned godlike and very fabulous yachties.
CAMILLA FRANKS: Ha. I have my own tanned godlike yachtie! I go to Hamilton Island to unwind and relax. It is paradise, with nice quiet surrounds, stunning sunsets and the Great Barrier Reef is magical. I go there to find stillness and escape the city madness.

REEF: What’s been your most memorable moment on the island? this answer doesn’t need to be censored. CAMILLA FRANKS: My most memorable moment was in 2009 launching an exclusive print for qualia during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. We held a huge parade for the Soleil Collection in qualia’s gorgeous surrounds; it was so amazing to see the response to the collection.

REEF: What Would you advise your best friend to do while they are here? Yes you can share it.
CAMILLA FRANKS: Relax. Stay at qualia (I am not an official ambassador I promise). Drink cocktails by the pool, shop and explore the Great Barrier Reef.

REEF: What is your ultimate swimsuit? Bikini or full piece?  
CAMILLA FRANKS: Personally I love rocking a full piece – throw a cover up over the top or add some loose harem pants and you are ready for beach to bar.

REEF: What is your scariest swimwear moment?
CAMILLA FRANKS: I don’t think I’ve ever had a major scare, but along with everyone else, I have been caught a few times after being dumped by a wave with my swimwear in a twist!

REEF: What is the one piece of advice you would give every woman/man before they purchase their swimwear?
CAMILLA FRANKS: Go with something that is bright and colourful, stand out and make a statement. In terms of cuts, pick pieces that suit your body – if you’re curvy don’t be afraid to flaunt it.

REEF: Who is your favourite travel pioneer?
CAMILLA FRANKS: Captain Cook.

REEF: Powerful dry martini or champagne, Which one is your celebratory Reef sundowner?
CAMILLA FRANKS: Champagne is for celebrating, and Pommery is my brand, so I would definitely pop open a bottle to celebrate a holiday on Hamilton Island.

REEF: Window or aisle seat?
CAMILLA FRANKS: The window – I am a global wanderer…watching and searching all the time.

REEF: Ocean or pool?
CAMILLA FRANKS: The ocean. I love taking an underwater camera snorkelling. Anything from the beautiful patterns on the fish, to purely just the movement underwater can be translated onto my next print.

REEF: Sunset or sunrise?
CAMILLA FRANKS: Sunrise, I have always been an early starter getting up at 6am every morning to train with my trainer Adam Gibson. There is something really magical about sunrise; it’s always so peaceful and serene.

REEF: How do you travel to the island, trunks, butlers, 15 cases or hand luggage?
CAMILLA FRANKS: The biggest indulgence would be my weekender bag for carry-on luggage - to keep all of my essentials on hand.

REEF: What’s the biggest sporting/outdoor adventure you’ve ever had apart from shopping?
CAMILLA FRANKS: Last year I did a big South American trip, which included an amazing five day trek through the Lares Trail in Peru. It was definitely the most physical holiday I’ve ever had, but also tremendously gratifying - it inspired my next Spring Summer collection ‘Pachamama’.

REEF: What first attracted you to Hamilton Island? For us it was the tanned godlike and very fabulous yachties.
GAIL ELLIOTT: I was first attracted to visit Hamilton Island not because of the tanned, godlike, fabulous yachties but because I’d heard of a place called qualia - I am now beyond an admirer of this wonderful paradise hidden away in the insanely beautiful Whitsundays. (And yes, the yachties are cute!).

REEF: What’s been your most memorable moment on the island? this answer does not need to be censored. GAIL ELLIOTT: From the minute you land, everything is taken care of...luggage is magically whisked away directly to your private, ultra chic pavilion and champagne and cold towels are served during the transfer. We stayed at qualia after our Little Joe Woman show during fashion week in Sydney a couple of years ago. Yasmin Le Bon who is a very good friend as well as the special guest of our show, joined my husband and I and we had the BEST time reading, relaxing and laughing.

REEF: What would you advise your best friend to do while they are here? Yes you can share it.
GAIL ELLIOTT: Breakfast at the Long Pavilion, lunch at Pebble Beach; a little shopping at qualia Boutique (by appointment only); spend the afternoon having cocktails by the qualia pool and dinner at Bommie at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

REEF: What’s your ultimate swimsuit? Bikini or full piece?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Bikini. I have four rather brief bikini’s from the same brand, in the same cut and in four different prints that I alternate so I don’t get messy tan lines.

REEF: What is your scariest swimwear moment?
GAIL ELLIOTT: I don’t really have a scary swimwear moment.

REEF: What is the one piece of advice you would give every woman/man before they purchase their swimwear?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Consider which parts of your body you’d like to emphasise - if you like your bust you may want to choose a plunging neckline, if you prefer not to show your stomach you may want to choose a one piece with a low back and if you prefer not to bring attention to your hips, choose something more retro or boy-style.

REEF: Who is your favourite travel pioneer?
GAIL ELLIOTT: My favourite travel pioneer is Captain Coffey!

REEF: Powerful dry martini or champagne, What is your celebratory Reef sundowner?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Champagne or Rosé wine.

REEF: Window or aisle seat?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Window.

REEF: Ocean or pool?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Pool.

REEF: Sunset or sunrise?
GAIL ELLIOTT: Definitely, sunset.

REEF: How do you travel to the island, trunks, butlers, 15 cases or hand luggage?
GAIL ELLIOTT: I’d love to think I can get everything into hand luggage and I do try but one good sized, black Tumi bag with wheels is what I travel with. 

REEF: What’s the biggest sporting/outdoor adventure you’ve ever had apart from shopping?
GAIL ELLIOTT: We often sail ‘bareboat’ (no crew) on a catamaran around the Whitsundays. It’s amazing to be out there in the middle of nowhere, sailing through the ocean and feeling the power of the wind behind us. In fact we have a trip booked for April... can’t wait.