· Dates: 15–19 May 2026
· Location: Pebble Beach, qualia, Hamilton Island
· Performers: Sharni Spencer, Davi Ramos, Marko Juusela, Samara Merrick
· Artistic Director: David Hallberg
· Program included excerpts from David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, Flames of Paris, Grand Pas Classique and Mikhail Fokine’s The Dying Swan
· Additional experiences included masterclasses with David Hallberg and Stephanie Lake, rehearsals, barre viewings and guest ballet sessions
· This is the first time the experience has been captured on film.
The Australian Ballet has returned to Hamilton Island for another sold-out season of Pas de Deux in Paradise, held at qualia from 15–19 May 2026.
Set on Pebble Beach at qualia, Hamilton Island’s private retreat, the biennial series unfolds against the Whitsundays and the Coral Sea, offering a remarkable setting to experience the company under open skies, far removed from the traditional theatre, making it one of Australia’s most extraordinary luxury experiences.
The program featured a selection of classical and contemporary works, including excerpts from David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, Flames of Paris and Grand Pas Classique, alongside the iconic solo from Mikhail Fokine’s The Dying Swan, reflecting the breadth of The Australian Ballet’s repertoire.
Performed by Principal Artists Sharni Spencer and newly promoted Principal Artist Davi Ramos, alongside Soloists Marko Juusela and Samara Merrick, the series offered an intimate connection to the precision and athleticism of the company.
As the light shifted from late afternoon into evening, the dancers performed against the Coral Sea at sunset, with the surrounding landscape becoming part of the work.
This year’s program also marked the first time Pas de Deux in Paradise has been captured on film, offering a new perspective on the interplay between movement, landscape and light.
“In a theatre, everything is controlled. Here, the Reef, the Whitsundays and the shifting light become part of the work,” said Artistic Director David Hallberg. “The dancers are responding not just to each other, but to the space around them, and that changes the quality of the movement.”
Held every two years, Pas de Deux in Paradise forms part of a longstanding partnership between qualia and The Australian Ballet, now spanning almost two decades. The series continues to attract a loyal following, with many guests returning for each event.
Acclaimed choreographer Stephanie Lake attended across the program, leading masterclasses with David Hallberg and offering guests insight into the creative process behind ballet.
Rebecca Hamey, General Manager of qualia, said the event reflects the resort’s approach to cultural programming.
“At qualia, we’re interested in experiences that connect guests to the reef through culture and creativity, not just place. Pas de Deux in Paradise is a rare cultural moment, offering a unique way to experience the Whitsundays. Dancers are silhouetted against the sunset and guests move between rehearsal, class and performance, creating a genuine sense of connection to the dancers and their craft.”
Beyond the performances, paired with a bespoke dining experience on Pebble Beach, guests attended rehearsals, viewed barre classes, participated in beginner ballet sessions, and engaged directly with the dancers and creative team.
“The dancers are working in a different way, performing on an outdoor stage shaped by the elements, and that demands a different level of focus and brings a clarity to the performance,” Hallberg said.
Set on Hamilton Island’s northern-most tip, qualia continues to evolve its offering beyond the traditional luxury lodge experience, pairing the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with a considered program of immersive culinary and cultural experiences.
About us:
About qualia
qualia is a private world of sensory perfection nestled in Hamilton Island’s northern-most tip, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Designed as an adults-only retreat, qualia offers a considered guest experience shaped by its natural surroundings, with 61 pavilions and two exclusive use residences set amongst native bushland and overlooking the Whitsundays.
About Pas de Deux in Paradise
Pas de Deux in Paradise is a biennial event held at qualia in partnership with The Australian Ballet. Now spanning almost two decades, the series brings ballet to Pebble Beach, offering an intimate performance experience shaped by the Whitsundays and the Coral Sea.
About Hamilton Island events
Hamilton Island hosts a year-round calendar of events, including Hamilton Island Race Week, the largest offshore sailing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, which runs from May to November and includes the Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon, Great Whitehaven Beach Run, Hamilton Island Triathlon and Hamilton Island Ocean Swim.
About The Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet is the national ballet company of Australia, captivating audiences across our major cities, regional hubs and educational institutions with extraordinary performances. Under the artistic direction of David Hallberg, the company is renowned for its distinctive Australian style, marked by athleticism, authenticity, boldness and artistry, and fosters and showcases Australia’s finest dancers, choreographers, composers and designers.
Contact details:
For interviews, additional information or image requests, please contact:
Caroline Denyer
Communications Manager
Hamilton Island
+61 (0)433 995 947
[email protected]
Images available here. Further images available on request.
