Club Med Resort Lindeman Island, Australia - Club Med Vacation Resort

Club Med Lindeman Island is a family resort so consequently there are plenty of youngsters at Lindeman. Forget the common misconception that Club Med is a haven for sex-starved singles, a sort of upmarket version of Billy Butlin's tacky British holiday camps or a snobby Mediterranean-style resort for South Pacific Francophiles. The average age of Club Med guests is 39 years!

It's the perfect place to take the kids, or the grandparents for that matter. The island's Children's Centre has three different kids clubs: Petit, Mini and Kids which cater to children from two to 12 years of age. The kids have their own shaded swimming pool and tennis court, and activities range from archery and arts to water sports and staging their own evening show. Club Med pioneered the concept of kid's clubs and at Lindeman they are entertained for up to 12 hours each day.

The role of Club Med's "Gentils Organisateurs" (hosts) or "GOs", is to ensure that things run smoothly for the "Gentils Membres," or "GMs" as guests are called. This Gallic jargon was the only French I noticed on Lindeman, unlike Europe where it is the staff's predominant language. Most of Lindeman's employees are Australian with the exception of the GO team which has a 50/50 mix of Australian and international members.

Environmental responsibilities are a part of the training of all Club Med staff who are encouraged to "Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle". "Club Med Cares" is the catch-phrase conveyed by the GOs who are also expected to promote "good earth stewardship" among resort guests, particularly the children. The resort has two restaurants, a theatre, a nightclub, a sprawling bar and entertainment area, three pools, a nine hole golf course and driving range, a six-court tennis complex and a fleet of hobie-cats, windsurfers and kayaks. Guests arrive by high speed launch from Hamilton Island or Shute Harbour or fly into the island's airstrip where the tiny terminal doubles as a mini eco-interpretive centre.

Much of the daily activity is organised by the team of GOs, however, there is absolutely no compulsion to take part. Those who wish to can do their own thing.

Every morning, before breakfast is over, the GO team swings into action. For those who are interested in getting fitter, there are classes for all ages in stretching, aerobics and power walking. Others GOs organise snorkelling, boat rides, beach games and a tennis competition. Clusters of less active guests sunbathe on the beach or relax around the pool.

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