WE WERE THERE: Oprah puts Whitsundays on the map

THE front page of the Daily Mercury in December, 2010 said it all – Oh My Gawd it’s Oprah.

THE front page of the Daily Mercury in December, 2010 said it all - Oh My Gawd it's Oprah.

The former queen of daytime TV Oprah Winfrey visited our region - flying in to Hamilton Island on her private jet, and we were there to capture her posing for the cameras.

Her trip was a part of her Ultimate Australian Adventure the same year.

"I will be telling everybody that it is better than anything in a book or a magazine," she told Daily Mercury journalist Fallon Hudson and photographer Lee Constable while she was on the island.

"It is a really long trip but it is worth it.

"The people here are really friendly.

"Oh my God, it is so beautiful," she said.

Her well-known best friend Gayle King came along for the ride as well.

Along with King, 300 audience members also joined Oprah for her tour of Australia.

She was photographed on the island looking relaxed zooming around comfortably in a buggy while talking to the media.

The lucky lady was also treated to and enjoyed a barbecue with celebrity chef Curtis Stone on Whitehaven Beach.

And she also didn't miss an opportunity to hug a koala at the Wildlife Sanctuary Animal Zoo.

Footage taken of the picturesque Whitsundays during her visit formed part of her show's specials that was beamed to televisions across 140 countries.

The whirlwind trip also put the Whitsundays on the map bringing exposure money can't buy.

In the days leading up to the famous talk show host's visit, the Daily Mercury also asked readers to send us tip offs if they spotted her.

Queensland Premier at the time Anna Bligh was also there to greet Oprah.

Originally published as WE WERE THERE: Oprah puts Whitsundays on the map