Home away from Home
Bobbing around The Whitsundays or on the slopes of Airlie Beach overlooking the Marina, life is idyllic for the Hendriksen family, who have managed to balance work, leisure and the most luxurious life afloat.
'Airlie from the air.'
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As Ingrid and Marcel Hendriksen tell it, their journey north to Airlie Beach and the sun and water-drenched lifestyle it promises, came about completely by chance.
'We first flew over The Whitsundays on a mystery flight to Hamilton Island 12 years ago,' says Marcel, adding that fleeing the contrary Melbourne weather for a taste of dazzling Queensland was so addictive, the couple vowed to return with their four kids.
The Hendriksens, who'd never set foot on a boat, decided to 'jump in the deep end' and chartered a boat to really immerse themselves in the bounties of the Reef, islands and local township.
'We chartered a boat four years in a row,' says Ingrid. 'The kids loved it and it gave us the first experiences that showed us the best parts of the region and the boating lifestyle.'
Jet skis and RIBs followed, and then a Riviera 37, before the latest investment, a luxurious floating holiday home, a Maritimo 48, affectionately named after the pet dog, Rex.
'We have four kids aged 15 to 25 years old, and sometimes their friends, so we wanted plenty of space and all the mod cons,' explains Marcel.
'The Maritimo has a massive flybridge, spacious bedrooms and we all travel light. This is the place to relax - you don't need much at all.'
The decision to trade up to a Maritimo was based on Marcel's previous contact with founder and CEO, Bill Barry-Cotter.
'He was a familiar face from when we had a Riviera. We followed him to Maritimo. When you're spending that kind of money on a toy like this, you need to think of resale value.
'We like that style of boat with the enclosed flybridge, internal staircase, entertaining area, walk around deck and large transom. It all really works well together.'
Another bonus is the 'family feel' the company fosters. 'We can waltz in to Maritimo like we're part of the family,' says Marcel, noting that nothing is ever an issue.
'We're not a number to them. They sent people to Airlie to check up on a problem we had. Any issue, even extra things that we retro fit to the boat, they're straight on it.'
The Hendriksens are dedicated to visiting their Airlie paradise, these days including a spectacular home high above the Marina, 'at least one week per month'.
Marcel, an earthworks contractor by trade and developer by interest, believes retirement is too far in the future to postpone the benefits of a lifetime of hard work.
'Besides, this is the time to spend with our kids, get to know them and really enjoy family life together.'
For their part, the kids are far from the stereotype of teens/young adults unnaturally attached to their i-Pods and laptops. Ingrid says time on the boat allows them all to unwind, get away from the pressures - peer and professional - and really be themselves.
'They wake up, swim, hang about in their swim suits. Nobody worries them, they don't worry about school or social lives. They're children again.'
Coming as they do from the deep south, the Hendriksens report that the conditions needn't be perfect for them to head out.
'We always go out, even when the weather is bad,' asserts Marcel. 'There are plenty of secluded bays and protected spots, mostly away from the touristy areas. We snorkel, swim and barbeques are all part of the fun. We all have our duties.'
Top of the menu is Ingrid's version of Thai prawn salad. 'It tastes incredible, like all the flavours of summer and looks so good too,' she says.
'That's most important. It's a beautiful boat, the food needs to look as wonderful.'
Revealing her special, not so secret recipe, Ingrid says the key is to shop fresh, which is easy given the quality of local produce and seafood. 'Then just toss all the veges together, mint and coriander with the barbequed prawns, chili and add satay sauce at the end.'
Glass of wine in hand, seated on Rex's generous transom area that is characteristic of Maritimos, savouring the sunset and heady aromas of this delectable dish, Ingrid says it's like having front row seats in their own private, waterfront restaurant. 
'There really is no better cure for stress and tension. We live for our trips to Airlie.'
Over the decade since their first introduction to the region, the Hendriksen have noticed its evolution.
Marcel recounts one occasion, during Hammo Race Week, the Maritimo fleet - a group of owners who get together for the odd jaunt - couldn't get berths on the Island and ended up heading to Airlie.
'They planned to stay a few days and ended up staying three to four months. There's so much to see and do.
'Airlie has shed that backpacker image. It's remote and unspoilt, but has everything you need. The people are discerning, yet laid back and so are the travelers these days.'
A favourite of theirs is D?j? Vu, for authentic French fare. 'It's the best in town. The chef, Patrice, is French and the food is certainly as good as anywhere in the world.'
Marcel and Ingrid consider themselves locals. Six-and-a-half years ago, the couple bought a parcel of land with commanding bay views, overlooking the Airlie Marina. They subdivided it in to four blocks around 1100m? to 2000m? each. The houses alone are a palatial 500m?.
'We liked Airlie so much, we bought land here. Then we decided to 'create our own neighbourhood' in a way. We thought: 'what would people want when they are living here?'
'They will want a house capturing the magnificent views, close to the boat below and then move between the two. Then we set about building it,' says Marcel, who describes the concept as 'modern, glass, steel, timber, but very low key'.
'They are architecturally designed and take full advantage of the natural assets of the location - the panoramic views, bushland, proximity to water.'
Known as 'Illuka on Kara', two properties have been constructed so far and another two are planned.
The concept, according to Marcel, is unique. 'Nobody has had a go at this highly contemporary style of dwelling. Even though there is a lot of development going on - there are cranes everywhere - and plenty of people moving up from the south.'
Marcel has nothing but praise for the Airlie community - the prime attraction for 'Seachangers' seeking sunshine, solace and sophistication. 'It's the kind of town that cares.
'Rotary has a strong presence and is very active and generous. It's a strong, tight community. It has to be because the closest towns are Townsville, 300km away, or Mackay, 150km away.'
But above all, it's the boating fraternity that infuses the place with its friendly, maritime character.
'The Marina lifestyle is great fun. You meet interesting people. We're all from different backgrounds and businesses, but it doesn't matter. Boating is a great leveler. There's a great casualness and camaraderie. You hop on somebody's boat for a beer, then hop off.'
As for relocating to their Airlie hillside abode, Marcel is satisfied with things the way they are now.
'We may retire in 10 years time - who knows? But we don't need to retire. We can combine leisure and our jobs like this - it's the best of both worlds.'
More at www.illukaonkara.comand www.maritimo.com.au
by Jeni Bone 
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husksisson, NSW
