Just in case being close enough to the Great Barrier Reef to cast in a rod wasn’t enough, Arlie Beach Treehouse is snugly perched on Shute Harbour Road overlooking a beachside lagoon pool oasis. An unassuming interior of peach walls and darkened timber opens up to a shaded terrace where Whitsunday guests, locals and wide-eyed tourists nestle craft beer, while polishing off handmade dumplings and other well-presented Modern Australian fare, with a backdrop of palms and bright tropical blues. Perhaps dive into juicy Peking duck with an Aussie twist, served in soft crepes, with shallots, cucumber, Asian slaw and tasty hoisin sauce, or get reeled in by something sweeter such as tantalising waffles with vanilla bean ice cream, house-made chocolate ganache and Canadian maple syrup.