Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is the second largest inhabited island (after Whitsunday Island) of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. Hamilton Island is part of the 74 Whitsunday Islands situated on the perimeter of the Great Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Queensland.

Hamilton, like most in the Whitsunday group, was formed as sea levels rose creating numerous drowned mountains that are situated close to the east coast of Queensland. The island is a popular tourist destination and was featured in the successful “Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef” promotion.

In late August each year, the island plays host to its annual Hamilton Island Race Week yachting festival, in which more than 150 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand gather for a week of races around the islands. “Whitehaven Day” is when the yachts descend upon Whitehaven beach for a big beach party. However this is only one of many festivals hosted on the island.

At least two major films have been on location at Hamilton Island – Muriel’s Wedding and Fool’s Gold.

Unlike most islands off the east coast of Australia, Hamilton Island is used almost exclusively for tourism. However the island is catering for a growing number of residents, both employees of the various businesses on the island and also those people choosing to retire and enjoy the island lifestyle.

The island is a great place to relax and take a break from a busy lifestyle, here everything is relaxed and many basic watersports and facilities are included with resort accommodation.

Hamilton has it’s own airport with direct flights available from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with connecting flights available from other departure points. In addition a catamaran service is available from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island.

Hamilton is on long-term lease from the Commonwealth Government by the Oatley family. The Oatleys own and run Hamilton Island Enterprises which operates the majority of accommodation and businesses on the island.

Hamilton Island Airport is the only airport in the Whitsunday Islands that is big enough to cater for larger commercial aircraft. Hamilton Island is also serviced by several ferry services, which can only carry passengers. Mainland motor vehicles are prohibited on the island with the exception of those for tradespeople. Transport needs are mostly served by a fleet of golf buggies, available to tourists for rent.

Hamilton Island provides a wide range of eating options. There are a number of restaurants and take away outlets to choose from plus cafés and several bars.

Having eaten well, one can take a brisk walk along one of the many bushwalking tracks; the majority of Hamilton Island is natural tropical bushland. Accommodation options include hotels ranging from 3 star to 5 star with self-catering accommodation also available, some options include buggy hire.

In the past couple of years, there were two key infrastructure and tourism developments due for completion on the Island. The Hamilton Island Yacht Club was opened during Hamilton Island Race Week, and the Hamilton Island Golf Club’s new Championship resort was also opened in August 2009. The 18-hole course on neighboring Dent Island measures 6,715 yards/6,140 meters and is billed as the only championship island golf course in Australia.