Hamilton Island Hotels

Hamilton Island is home to some of the most expensive real estate in Australia, with new developments cropping up everywhere - including the Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club, and some high rises. Privately owned by Rosemount Wines family, the Oatleys, the island has its own airport making it a main gateway for getting out to the reef and to the other islands.

Hamilton Island was one of the film locations for Muriel’s Wedding. But once you arrive, you’ll work out - quicker than you can say ‘Porpoise Spit’ - that Hamilton Island, unlike Muriel, is not terrible at all.

HAMILTON’S ISLAND TOP 10

HAMILTON ISLAND LOCAL

Hamilton Island is unique within the Whitsundays because it has numerous resort areas to explore and all of them are just a few minutes apart by golf buggy.

Passage Peak is a tough hike but getting to the top will be worth it – the views are nothing less than spectacular. It takes around an hour of hard walking from the Reef View Hotel on the north side of Hamilton Island, to the peak – Hill Top Viewing Area - and of course depends how fast you walk. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you could attempt the 230 metre trail on mountain bike. When you get to the top, console yourself with the fact that the Reef View Hotel Pool Terrace restaurant is waiting for you at the bottom, ready to serve you a well deserved meal, or buffet breakfast if you’re an early bird. Or you can just head straight for the Reef Lounge for a cocktail.

Hamilton Island Marina is in the area known as Marina Village, or Front Street, which is where many restaurants and shops are located, as is the bank, post office, a supermarket and newsagents. Passenger ferry services are based here, with a ferry trip to Shute Harbour on the mainland around a 30 minute trip – and more than a dozen services daily. Hamilton Island Yacht Club is also located here and there’s a sumptuous ice cream parlour, Popeye’s Takeaway and the Marina Deli for your eating pleasure.

Catseye Beach is Hamilton Island’s main hub for water based fun – where a palm fringed stretch of white sand is your seaside playground. Many of the hotels are situated here including the Reef View Hotel, Whitsunday Apartments, and Palm Terraces. The Beach Club is also here. It’s worth noting that most of the swimming pools at the resorts are open for public use – unless they are the more exclusive resorts or at privately owned villas. Catseye is the main centre of nightlife too, with the Verandah Bar a great place for a long cool drink or an early evening cocktail. With the coral just a short paddle from the beach, snorkelling or scuba diving are perfectly easy to do from here. Or head out on a day trip to Reefworld for submarine rides, underwater PADI rides and snorkel safaris.

The north side of the island is home to the majority of the houses and private apartments, plus the island’s newest resort, Qualia. This is where Hamilton Island’s Sports Club is located, with a gym, tennis courts and fitness classes. Qualia is just a stone’s throw from Queensland’s coast and has two pools, a library bars and restaurants, as well as the Spa Qualia offering a range of luxurious treatments. Qualia is home to The Windward and Leeward Pavilions both offer breathtaking views of the Coral Sea.

Dent Island is to the west of Hamilton Island and home to Hamilton Island Golf Club – the only championship island golf course in Australia, but open to beginners as well as pros. The course is a par 71, 18 hole course – but it won’t be easy keeping your eye on the ball, because of the breathtaking panoramic views of the island and the Whitsundays on the way round. It’s just five minutes by ferry to golfing paradise and when you finish the 18^th why not enjoy a drink or meal in the Hamilton Island Golf Clubhouse or shop for equipment in the Hamilton Island Pro Shop.

HAMILTON ISLAND – EAT & DRINK

You won’t be disappointed by Hamilton Island if you like to dine out, since there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and pool bars at all the main resorts. From fine dining to takeaways, whatever takes your fancy, as well as a good few late night bars to enjoy a spot of stargazing on a warm evening. If you find you’re feeling the pinch a little (Hamilton Island is not renowned for being especially cheap) then you could always enjoy a takeaway or visit the Deli at the Marina.

HAMILTON’S ISLAND EVENTS

Outrigger Cup This yearly event takes place in June or July and takes place for the most part at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island. Outrigging is a Hawaiian sport using canoes, if you didn’t know.

Big4 Adventure Whitsunday’s Sports Carnival Sailing, tennis, and soccer for the young and young at heart. Just a short trip from Hamilton Island in June.

Hamilton Island Race Week takes place in August. Hello Sailor! Yacht eye candy to droll over with billion dollar super yachts alongside small rented boats. This is the island’s premier event.

Whitehaven Day is the day the Yachts descend on Whitehaven Beach at the annual beach party – a Hamilton Island August event which should not upon any account be missed.

The annual Hilly Half Marathon takes place in May if you’re up for a challenge. Prizes and a kid’s fun run at this Hamilton Island based event.

The Great Barrier Feast Food & Wine Series Join celebrity chefs and step up your knowledge of haute cuisine at this Hamilton Island based food extravaganza during June and July.

The Australian Ballet comes to Hamilton Island, to Qualia in fact, during July and November at the Pas de Deux in Paradise events.

Fuji Hamilton Island Triathlon & Ocean Swim features three challenging events over eight days in November – join in the fun at the triathlon workshop too.

SB3 World Championships – Hamilton Island and the nearby Whitsunday waterways host the championships which feature Laser SB3’s or one-design Sports Yachts, captained by some of the best sailors in the world.

For a truly exceptional experience make sure to visit Hamilton Island during July to September to catch sight of the annual migration of the whales – awe-inspiring stuff.

WHEN TO GO

• With its location just off the coast of North Queensland, Hamilton Island is probably best to visit during the dry season which runs from May to October.

• Hamilton Island enjoys a year round tropical climate with temperatures throughout the year on average around 27.4 ͦC – with summer highs of 30°C or so. Winter temperatures are still warm at 23°C on average.

• The rainiest time of year is February – which is also one of the ‘stinger seasons’ when the sea is full of jelly fish – although you can wear a stinger suit, this out of season time is not ideal.

WHAT TO MISS

• Nearby Hook Island is home to the Coral Observatory – this was the project of a local businessman who wanted to build an underwater coral viewing station. Unfortunately he blew up the coral bed during the process. Today the observatory is not up to much, with fogged up windows just 30 cm wide for your ‘viewing pleasure’. Snorkelling is by far the better option if you are venturing here from Hamilton Island.

• Hiring a buggy – prices start at $85 a day so try to book accommodation which includes the use of a one – you need a drivers licence to operate these – so don’t forget to bring it.

• Feeding the cockatoos – these Hamilton Island inhabitants have delicate digestive systems which can’t cope with our food – also make sure to keep doors and windows closed to stop them nicking your stuff.

GETTING AROUND

• Getting to Hamilton Island is a breeze with direct flights from Sydney (two hours), Melbourne (three hours) and from Brisbane and Cairns just an hour. Passenger only ferries are another option – cars are barred from the island other than for trade.

• Most transport needs are met with by a fleet of resident golf buggies which are available for rent (and often included in vacation packages).

• There is also a public shuttle bus which travels between all the main destinations on the island, including the airport and most accommodation areas. The island is actually only 7 km long so walking is another option.

HotelClub Blog

The Lowdown on the Whitsunday Islands

HEAVENLY HAMILTON ISLAND

HAMILTON ISLAND’S TOP 10

HAMILTON ISLAND EVENTS

WHEN TO GO

GETTING AROUND