Hamilton Island is a great base to explore the beautiful Whitsunday Islands off the east Queensland Coast. If you love the ocean, stunning beaches, exploring nature at its best yet enjoy a nightly retreat for excellent choices in dining, enjoying a drink or two or pampering yourself in luxury surroundings, you can enjoy it here.
Golf on the beautiful 18 hole Hamilton Island Golf course, a quick 5 minute ferry ride on Dent Island.
Enjoy a whole host of choices for boating and visit one or more of the picturesque and idyllic islands to get away from it all, there are 74 of them nearby.
Perhaps you just want to enjoy the wind in your hair by yourself on a windsurfing board in pristine waters. Another day, go diving or snorkelling in the beautiful coral reefs of the Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with thousands and thousands of brilliantly multi-coloured fish.
Sail on a catamaran or take a motorised dinghy to one the many islands, go kayaking with an experienced guide or by yourself. Zip on a Jet Ski, go parasailing for a wind rush with birdseye views or get pulled along for a rush on a wakeboard, watertube or waterski. Or enjoy a cruise in comfort and style.
Cruises
There is actually a whole host of cruises and tours available from Hamilton Island. The whole family can enjoy the Great Barrier Reef Cruise, great for those with small children. You can take a jet ski tour to a remote location, walk and swim at a pristine island beach or sail in comfort and snorkel the clear waters.
There are dining cruises to watch the stunning sunsets or enjoy it by kayak or catamaran. You can even stay overnight under the stars at the exclusive (6 people maximum) Reefworld on the reef itself.
A completely different experience is also available with an enthralling comfortable helicopter flight, taking in the the fascinating views from the air of the reefs and islands. Spot whales, dolphins and turtles. Be absolutely sure to bring the camera! As well as a swimsuit, sun protection, hat and towel, of course.
There are luxury motorised boats available, for hire and for cruises.
Accommodation
On the island, there is a wide range of hotels and other accommodation available, including bungalows and holiday homes.
You will need to get a permit from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.
Getting Here
As the only island of the Whitsundays with its own airport, you can catch daily flights direct from Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney. Charter flights are available at Airlie Beach, Mackay and Proserpine.
You can also catch a ferry from Shute Harbour or if sailing, there are berths at the marina.
The Queensland Sunlander Train does four trips a week to Prosperine from Brisbane and Cairns. Coaches can be taken from there to Shute Harbour.
Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of beautiful islands situated off the coast of Queensland and a very popular yachting paradise: Whitsunday Islands. See the Whitsunday Coast Map QLD.
Other National Parks on the Whitsunday Coast
Conway National Park
Cape Upstart National Park
Dryand National Park
Bungella National Park
Hemvale National Park
Mount Aberdeen National Park
South Molle Island, Whitsundays Islands on the Australia Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Maxime Coquard Tourism Australia
Next: Heron Island Great Barrier Reef
Hamilton Island, Why Go There?
Map showing the Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays: Whitsunday Coast Map, Islands and Coastal Surrounds.
Why Visit?
Hamilton Island is a great base to explore the beautiful Whitsunday Islands off the east Queensland Coast. If you love the ocean, stunning beaches, exploring nature at its best yet enjoy a nightly retreat for excellent choices in dining, enjoying a drink or two or pampering yourself in luxury surroundings, you can enjoy it here.
Golf on the beautiful 18 hole Hamilton Island Golf course, a quick 5 minute ferry ride on Dent Island.
Enjoy a whole host of choices for boating and visit one or more of the picturesque and idyllic islands to get away from it all, there are 74 of them nearby.
Perhaps you just want to enjoy the wind in your hair by yourself on a windsurfing board in pristine waters. Another day, go diving or snorkelling in the beautiful coral reefs of the Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with thousands and thousands of brilliantly multi-coloured fish.
Sail on a catamaran or take a motorised dinghy to one the many islands, go kayaking with an experienced guide or by yourself. Zip on a Jet Ski, go parasailing for a wind rush with birdseye views or get pulled along for a rush on a wakeboard, watertube or waterski. Or enjoy a cruise in comfort and style.
Cruises
There is actually a whole host of cruises and tours available from Hamilton Island. The whole family can enjoy the Great Barrier Reef Cruise, great for those with small children. You can take a jet ski tour to a remote location, walk and swim at a pristine island beach or sail in comfort and snorkel the clear waters.
There are dining cruises to watch the stunning sunsets or enjoy it by kayak or catamaran. You can even stay overnight under the stars at the exclusive (6 people maximum) Reefworld on the reef itself.
A completely different experience is also available with an enthralling comfortable helicopter flight, taking in the the fascinating views from the air of the reefs and islands. Spot whales, dolphins and turtles. Be absolutely sure to bring the camera! As well as a swimsuit, sun protection, hat and towel, of course.
There are luxury motorised boats available, for hire and for cruises.
Accommodation
On the island, there is a wide range of hotels and other accommodation available, including bungalows and holiday homes.
You will need to get a permit from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.
Getting Here
As the only island of the Whitsundays with its own airport, you can catch daily flights direct from Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney. Charter flights are available at Airlie Beach, Mackay and Proserpine.
You can also catch a ferry from Shute Harbour or if sailing, there are berths at the marina.
The Queensland Sunlander Train does four trips a week to Prosperine from Brisbane and Cairns. Coaches can be taken from there to Shute Harbour.
Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of beautiful islands situated off the coast of Queensland and a very popular yachting paradise: Whitsunday Islands. See the Whitsunday Coast Map QLD.
Other National Parks on the Whitsunday Coast
Conway National Park
Cape Upstart National Park
Dryand National Park
Bungella National Park
Hemvale National Park
Mount Aberdeen National Park
See more about the National Parks of Queensland: Queensland National Parks and throughout Australia: Australia National Parks.
Other Islands on the Great Barrier Reef
There are hundreds of islands on the Australia Great Barrier Reef . More about the Great Barrier Reef.
Far North Queensland Map
Shows Mackay and Surrounding towns, beaches, national parks and places to go : Tropical North - Cairns Map or the Map of Queensland.
Touring Australia: The Queensland Coast
Touring the Queensland Coast - Queensland Coast.
Hotels and Resorts in Queensland
Find Hotels and Resorts in Queensland - Hotels in Australia.
Previous: Great Keppel Island, Capricorn QLD
Topic: QLD Barrier Reef
Main Photo: South Molle Island, Whitsundays Islands on the Australia Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Maxime Coquard Tourism Australia