One of Australia's most celebrated chefs, Lennox Hastie, is bringing his fire-driven philosophy to InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier this July for an exclusive outdoor dining and whisky experience set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.

Held on the pristine sands of Hayman Island, the one-night-only dinner will see guests indulge in a five-course fireside feast designed and cooked personally by Hastie, paired with rare and aged expressions of The Balvenie Single Malt, including the 12YO DoubleWood through to the 21YO PortWood.

Set against a breathtaking backdrop of the Whitsundays and limited to just 20 guests, the experience is an intimate celebration of craftsmanship - from Hastie's elemental artistry with flame to The Balvenie's time-honoured whisky-making traditions and InterContinental Hayman's unforgettable guest experience and exceptional hospitality.

Lennox Hastie, says: “Cooking with fire is about connection – with nature, quality ingredients, and to each other. The same foundations we apply to cooking with fire also go into crafting the incredible whisky of The Balvenie. To be able to bring our shared philosophy to Hayman Island, surrounded by one of the world's most awe-inspiring environments, is an honour.”

Lennox Hastie is the chef-owner behind Firedoor, Australia's only fully wood-fuelled restaurant. At Firedoor, Hastie uses a wide variety of woods including iron bark, eucalyptus, citrus trees to apple. He also owns and operates Gildas, a Basque-inspired wine bar located in Sydney a few metres from Firedoor. Hastie's cooking is an ode to both precision and spontaneity, guided by ingredients, fire, and feel.

Guests can expect a front row seat to a five-course menu cooked over fire, with the menu expected to feature a number of Hastie's iconic dishes including kangaroo, wattleseed damper, and his signature dry-aged beef.

Kayte Staraj, General Manager at InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, says: “To host one of Australia's most revered chefs at InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, cooking fireside on the beach with rare whisky pairings from The Balvenie all with reef views in every direction; it's a true celebration of who we are - creating incredible experiences for our guests is something we take immense pride in.”

The event marks a pinnacle moment in InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef's 75th anniversary celebrations - marking over seven decades of delivering extraordinary Australian luxury, wellness and adventure in one of the most remote and remarkable settings in the world.

Event Details
Date: Thursday 17th July 2025
Price: $249
Booking Link: Here
Location: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef
Includes: Five-course menu by Lennox Hastie, matched whisky pairings from The Balvenie