News.au.com December 12, 2016
The Whitsundays are sunny, steamy and spectacular, and about as close to paradise as it gets.
They’re the romance capital of Australia, hosting more than a thousand weddings each year, and setting the scene for at least a couple of proposals each week.
Rumour has it you can strike it rich in the reef around Haslewood Island, due to the number of gold engagement rings accidentally dropped into the sea.
And while many visit for romantic getaways, honeymoons and even babymoons, a few visitors fall in love with the islands themselves — so much so they never left.
John Henderson and his wife Jacqui arrived in Australia from New Zealand in 2001. When they discovered Airlie Beach, they knew they were home.