Luxury with heart: Inside the Great Barrier Reef's exclusive sandbar picnic

That was my reaction the first time I set eyes on the Great Barrier Reef. That was a few decades ago, and I had travelled by land to Airlie Beach for my first introduction to the reef.

Recently, I revisited the islands, but this time I arrived by air. My reaction was much the same.

"How can this be?" The islands that pepper the sea are too beautiful. The sea itself is a dazzling shade of blue that you see only in the rarest of jewels.

This swoon-worthy location is a lure for all those searching for beauty, wildlife and, yes, luxury.

I find the term "luxury" problematic. I have been to a few luxury events, destinations, and trips on expensive watercraft, and they have left me cold. They were too scripted and styled to suit my curious nature.

However, my latest brush with luxury was a kick in my white-linen covered butt, and not in a bad way.

French Champagne house Veuve Clicquot has chosen the reef as a destination for its global event, Le Picnic. After Le Picnic events in France, Japan, Spain and the US, it's Australia's turn. Picture-perfect Langford Island, in the Whitsundays, is Veuve Clicquot's chosen spot.

But first, the accommodation.

Hayman is as lush as it is luxurious. The dense rainforest hugs the resort's crescent-shaped beach, which is overlooked by the impressive white resort development.

Outside, bird sounds abound. It's worth getting up early before the humans wake up to take a stroll through the grounds. It's amazing. There are also wild nocturnal residents. Wandering back to my room late after a barbecue on the beach, I was delighted to meet a possum. After offering it a quiet "good evening," I maintained a respectful yet cordial distance and went on my way.

Hayman's resort has a luxe reputation that is hard to argue with, as it is truly swoon-worthy. From my room's giant four-poster bed, decisions were made about whether to take an indulgent bath or lounge on one of two balconies overlooking the sprawling main pool.

Read Explore's review of the exclusive Hayman Island Beachfront Pavilions

Another luxury, at least for those who struggle with gadgets, is that the controllers for the lights/AC/fans are straightforward. Hayman Island is not about confusion. Stress is banned.

Soon you will be lounging under a blue and white striped awning in the breeze as the cockatoos perch on the railing. After way too much head-cocking from two of these cheeky visitors, I was convinced they were judging my pale legs and unpedicured toes.

The sun lounge is also a top place to ponder yet more luxury, namely the resort's top-tier accommodation, The Residences. These retreats can be seen perched on a distant hill. I wondered who would stay there? Who has that many friends to populate a sprawling residence?

I didn't ponder this for too long, as that would be a waste of time, which is a true luxury.

I had a picnic to get to.

Set on a sandbar on Langford Island, beautifully dressed tables await the guests' arrival by chartered cruiser. It's quite the picture. Yellow and white striped umbrellas shade the tables, which are attended to by a group of busy-bee attendants.

While Le Picnic's elegantly dressed tables, drinks, and expert service are distinctly French, the setting is true blue. It's an undeniably Aussie experience (minus, thankfully, the questionable burnt barbecue meat and unnecessarily aggressive game of cricket).

Le Picnic's menu features delightful nibbles, such as chargrilled octopus, prawn finger sandwiches, vegetables and wagyu skewers. There's also caviar, and "vegan caviar" (pearls of finger limes). Madeleines and frosty popsicles of pineapple, mandarin and passionfruit are sweet treats.

The Veuve Cliquot Champagne is also swoon-worthy, especially its blended rosé bubbles, which the brand pioneered. I never imagined I'd be listening to a Veuve Cliquot representative describe how the "chalky" terroir in Reims brings minerality via its vines to the Champagne, while I buried my feet deep in the sand.

Then, as if on cue, the true star of the show - nature - kicked it up a notch.

"Whale!", I hollered, in a less-than-luxurious manner. My eagle eye and hysterical gesturing at the giant whale tail poking out of the blue were appreciated, I think, as gasps rippled among the polite company.

I had to take a seat as another giant swoon washed over me. "C'mon. Really? This is too much," I whispered.

Thankfully, I managed to make it back to the cruiser without swooning overboard. Safely stowed aboard, I felt fabulous. The kind of fabulous you feel after experiencing something very special.

So, if that's not worth a Champagne toast, I don't know what is.

Book Le Picnic via Hayman Island Intercontinental, see more at Le Picnic by Veuve Clicquot.

The writer was a guest of Veuve Clicquot