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FACILITIES
AND ACTIVITIES
The
main building is a spacious, native
style open house. Its design is raw
but functional. Sunbleached poles and
open sides take advantage of cooling
island breezes. Drift wood, collected
on nearby shores, is used to support
heavy polished benches and an array
of relics, from the husk of a canoe
from Papua New Guinea to an ancient
wooden dinner gong and Balinese bed
adds to the atmosphere.
 There
is a main kitchen, two bathrooms, dining
area and open fire on the front decks.
There is no television, just relaxation,
and the pleasure of reading in our library.
The
beach hut is a rustic driftwood construction
with outside shower and toilet. The
two round hand-crafted huts, similar
in style to the main building feature
a sundeck. All have a kitchenette equipped
with a solar fridge.
A nine
metre diesel jet boat allows access
to shallow reef areas and mangrove rivers.
Fresh cooked meals of seafood can be
prepared in minutes on the boat. A six
and seven metre long boat each powered
by fifty horsepower Yamaha engines,
are ideal for exploration. Our fishing
equipment includes a complete range
of rods, reels and handlines to suit
both river and open sea. Masks, snorkels,
and assorted diving gear are also available.
DINING
 When
we arrived on the island 15 years ago
we were little concerned with what we
would eat. The sea was bountiful and
we would grow vegetables aplenty. We
struck at the jungle with enthusiasm
and planted our seeds. Very little grew.
Most
of what we had brought was not suitable
for the island. I had little trouble
capturing lobsters and fish but without
fresh herbs and vegetables our diet
became monotonous. Today the garden
is a pleasure to walk through.
Passionfruit
compete with guado and snake beans.
The vines of tropical butternut and
squashes have to be coaxed away from
beds of rocket salad and bokchoy. Basil,
coriander and parsley compete for space
with lemongrass and ginger. Kaffir lime,
mango and curry trees grow randomly
along the paths.
 For
breakfast, papaya or banana are picked
fresh of a tree and served with lime
juice. The home made muesli has the
dominant flavour of fresh toasted coconut.
The rich yellow yolks of our eggs are
from free roaming fowls fed largely
on coconut, fish and garden surplus.
A lunch
of oysters steamed in the shell with
sliced ginger and lemon grass, squid,
simmered quickly in sea water and then
placed on a bed of rocket and drizzled
with lime juice, olive oil and crushed
garlic.
A whole
lobster thrown in the coals and served
with lime and crushed pepper follows.
For dinner, fresh slices of coral trout,
marinated in lime and then cast into
a bowl of freshly squeezed coconut cream;
a red emperor is steamed with sesame
oil, soy, ginger and garlic.
The
meal wouldn't be complete without suitable
wine. We pride ourselves in our small
but careful selection. Our love of food
and a commitment to freshness and simplicity
have guided our cuisine.
The
sand cay is the ultimate dining area.....Candle
lit table, setting sun and the calming
swish of a darkening sea.
ACTIVITIES
 Fishing
and Spear Fishing
Fishing
and Spear Fishing are good at all levels
- rod, reel, or fly fishing, reef, ocean
or river.
As
there is no human habitation for nearly
one hundred miles, the grounds around
us are rarely disturbed. Bait is caught
off the island beach. Spear fishing
is an every day method of food gathering.
Reef fish and tropical crayfish are
easily caught on nearby reefs.
Skin
Diving - Snorkeling
Skin
Diving and Snorkeling are at their best
and safe all year round. Two clear water
lagoons just off Haggerstone's beach
put beautiful coral gardens right on
your doorstep. Vast surrounding reef
areas are easily accessible from Haggerstone
for skin diving and snorkeling. Also
close by we have discovered an 1840s
shipwreck in a shallow reef garden.
Its giant anchors, winching blocks and
bronze keel bolts are all visible from
surface snorkeling.
 Bird
Watching
Haggerstone
Island harbors a dense and varied bird
population. Sunbirds, honeyeaters, coloured
pigeons, eagles, kingfishers, finches,
jungle fowls, pittas and many others
have made it their home.
Dawn is a kaleidoscope
of sounds dominated by the soft coos
of the bar shouldered doves.
Beach
Combing
 The
adjacent mainland beaches provide miles
of adventurous beachcombing.
What
to bring:
- Sun hat
- Suntan
oil or sunscreen
- Sandshoes for
reef walking
- Comfortable trousers
for bush walking
- Film
- Long
sleeved cotton shirts
- Casual wear
and bare feet are the norm for the island.
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