• Islands -

Hamilton Island 4.5 km x 3 km is located  in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

The area has been voted one of the world's most beautiful sailing destinations. 

There are 74 islands and 8 of these are inhabited, Hamilton is the largest inhabited island and the only one with an airport. 32 of the islands are protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park including the pristine Whitsunday Island

• Visa -

40 different countries are able to get e-visas and Electronic Travel Authorisations on line. Check with your local Embassy to see what you need to do

• Budget -

As much or little as you care to spend. Walking and swimming is free. Tours and activities aren't.

There are a variety of options for most budgets. If you stay with 12 people in a Holiday Home for $30 a head, self cater and BYO you'll have a cheap holiday.

If you stay in qualia for $1,350 a couple and have spa days and helicopter tours you will need a lot more in your wallet. Probably somewhere in between is best.

If you take the ferry option you could stock up on booze in Airlie beach and bring it over rather than flying with it.

Also there are packages and deals so look around before you book. Best deals should be on their website.

• Population -

1300

• AKA -

"Hamo" as it is affectionately known to locals

• About -

Either fly in and out of Hamilton Island Airport and spend the week solely on the island.

Or fly in and out of the Whitsunday Coast Airport and see any or all of Proserpine, Airlie Beach and Bowen

• Go -

Hamilton Island is a year round destination but the weather does vary a bit

January to March - is humid, hot and rainy. It is also cyclone and stinger season. As it is school holiday time it is still busy and you will need to book ahead.

April to June has good weather and stinger season ends in May.

July to September - good weather, no stingers, chance of seeing whales and more school holidays so book ahead.

October to December - things are starting to warm up but the weather is still good. The stingers are back and so are the turtles.

• Airports -

Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) -

has direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. They will transfer you to your accommodation.

It is the main hub for the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. It is the launch pad for scenic Reef flights and spectacular Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island

Or you could fly from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns to 

Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA)

and spend a few days in Airlie Beach before taking the ferry to Hamilton Island.

• Ferries -

There are ferries from Port of Airlie and Shute harbour to Hamilton Island - there are about 9 ferries a day and the trip takes a little over an hour. The ferry from Shute harbour takes 35 mins.

• Stay -

There are 6 types of accommodation available ranging from $350 a night to $1,350. The cheaper ones are for up to 6 or 12 people so that would bring the price down a lot. The more exclusive ones are adults only. The Holiday Homes have a kitchen where you can self cater. There is only one resort on the island.

Here are some options around Airlie Beach and there may be some specials for Hamilton Island.

Click Here

• Features -

The Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach

• History -

The Ngaro Aboriginal tribe settled here 8,000 years ago. They must have done a good job because the island is still in pristine condition.

Captain Cook dropped in on his way past in 1770.

In the 1970's and 80's it was developed as a tourist destination by Queensland developer Keith Williams. He was also behind Sea World on the Gold coast. The resort officially opened in 1984 with Peter Allan as the headline act.

Sir Jack Brabham and George Harrison had homes here.

Famous winemaker, yachtsman and Sydney - Hobart race record holder Bob Oatley bought the island in 2003 after he sold Rosemount wines to Southcorp for 1.5 billion dollars. He had sailed past the island as a young man and noticed its potential. After he took over he invested millions rejuvenating  the island back up to world class standard.

In 2017 Cyclone Debbie came through and destroyed many resorts in the Whitsundays. Hamilton Island was in the middle of a refurbishment at the time and some of the areas had to be completely re-done again.

· See -

Whitehaven Beach - one of the world's most beautiful

Chalkies Beach - 

nearby and good for snorkelling

Australian wildlife 

including Kangaroos, Koalas and Crocodiles

· Do -

Two thirds of the island are undeveloped and there are over a dozen walking trails available to explore the island.

Reef Sleep - 

spend the night on a pontoon floating over the reef gazing up at the stars

Get out on the reef 

and dive, snorkel, cruise, glass bottom boat, helicopter, seaplane, Reef Ryder, Catamaran

Hike the 4 icons trail 

to the island's best viewpoints

Wakeboarding 

Tube Riding / Jet boat Tour / Parasailing / SUP / Kayak

Predator Fishing 

Game Fishing / Boat Charters / Dinghy Hire

Hang out by one of the pools

Golf Buggy Rally - 

compete in teams of up to 4

Play the spectacular Hamilton Island Golf Club 

on neighbouring Dent Island - designed by Peter Thompson and it has its own island with 360 degree views of the Whitsundays as does the spectacular 19th

Quad bikes for kids / ATV or All terrain vehicle / Go Karts / Jet Ski Tours

and a whole lot more

· Highlights -

World class food with world class views

• Eat -

Beach Club Restaurant - 

Modern Australian - Tasting Menus - Great View - Kid free

Club House Restaurant - 

Modern Australian - Lunch Only - Great View - Ferry Ride to golf course on Dent Island

coca chu - 

SE Asian hawker style street food - sharing style menu - Tropical gardens and Catseye Beach

Long Pavilion - 

Modern Australian - Views of the Coral Sea - secluded - kid free

Manta Ray - Modern Australian - relaxed - overlooking the Marina - open late for drinks and food

Marina Tavern - 

Pub Grub - overlooking the marina - indoor / outdoor

Pebble Beach - 

South Pacific - spectacular views of the Coral Sea - Signature Tasting Menu

Pool Terrace - 

Modern Australian - Poolside - relaxed

Romano's - 

Contemporary Italian - looking over the water

Sails - 

Modern SE Asian - Family Friendly - great views of Catseye Beach and the pool

TAKO - 

Mexican from 4 different regions

There is an IGA Supermarket

here too with a bottle shop alongside

• Drink -

Beach Pavilion Kiosk - by a pool and Catseye Beach - Lunch and dinner available

Bommie Deck - best views on the island - great for sunset and turtle viewing

Island Bar - Swim up bar at the main pool - live acoustic music

One Tree Hill - Wine and cheese afternoons - sundowners - Hilltop lookout

Reef Bar - Morning coffee - all welcome - central location

Garden Bar - head here after sunset to keep the good times flowing

Verandah Bar - adjoining Sails Restaurant - indoor/ outdoor

• Sundowners -

Cocktails at One Tree Hill Lookout

Bommie Deck - sunset over the Whitsundays

Ricochet 47' state of the art catamaran Sunset sail

Sea Kayak

BYO Cocktails - 1 part Kahlua - 1 part Brandy - 1 part Milk poured over ice and stirred

• Tips -

There is a free shuttle bus that goes around the island. Or you can hire a golf buggy and go at your own pace. And you can join in the daily Buggy Rally

• Famous -

World famous Whitehaven Beach

Muriel's Wedding and Fools Gold were filmed here

Famous guests include Oprah / Taylor Swift / Leonardo DiCaprio / Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom / Gordon Ramsay / Toni Collette

• Festivals -

Hamilton Island Race week - a yachting event in August that draws visitors from all over the world.

• Extra -

Have a look at either or both Proserpine and Airlie Beach in transit. Have a look at some of the other islands in the Whitsundays. See 'Islands' - Hayman Island.