Stories from our backyard: Choose your Hamilton Island accommodation

Picture this… sailing through stunning aquamarine waters, admiring the perfect white sand beaches that stretch forever and stopping off at a private beach being completely alone but with a picnic lunch, umbrella, and lounge chairs. Experience swimming and spotting turtles or snorkelling above gardens of coral. Amaze at coastal views more beautiful than a postcard. This is the Whitsunday Islands, a cluster of 74 magnificent islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast in Queensland, Australia. It’s a tropical paradise, water sports mecca and an absolute sailing haven! Hamilton Island is the largest of the resorts in the Whitsundays, and a perfect base to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the spectacular Whitehaven Beach. Your stay there guarantees you can choose to do as much or as little as you like. Pick from a huge selection of Hamilton Island accommodation for your next relax and unwind holiday in the midst of the World Heritage listed Marine Park. What a way to appreciate an iconic Aussie experience and it’s one that you cannot miss on your next holiday Down Under!

Hamilton Island is the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport. Access is easy with short, direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane as well as good connections from other Australian cities. There is also a quick one-hour direct boat transfer from Airlie Beach on the mainland. With such easy access it is simple to be sipping a cocktail by the pool by lunchtime! Over 70% of the island has been preserved in its natural state, which means visitors can enjoy the pristine magnificence of the island’s beautiful beaches, as well exploring over 20km of unspoilt nature trails and secluded cove hideaways. A walk to the highest point, Passage Peak, will reward you with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding Whitsundays. This hike is a perfect way to greet the morning’s sunrise.

Hamilton Island accommodation offers something for everyone. The premium option is qualia, an award-winning member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. A unique Australian expression of luxury, qualia is nestled in the most pristine and secluded position on the island and caters to guests 16 years and over. It’s a truly special place where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind and completely spoil the senses. There is a choice of sixty elegant and private pavilions, nestled amongst 30 acres of tropical landscaped gardens. The pavilions have been individually positioned for best aspect and privacy, many of these pavilions have a plunge pool and natural touches such as outdoor showers. Exclusive guest facilities include a private beach, two infinity edge pools, Spa qualia and two restaurants, as well as qualia guests have access to the broader offerings on Hamilton Island.

“The accommodations were exactly as you described…5 star all the way.  We landed on Hamilton Island & headed to Qualia. Views of the Coral Sea, sunrises and sunsets, wow! Hard to describe the tranquility of such a place….”

Other Hamilton Island accommodation options include the tranquil, adults-only boutique resort Beach Club, with its absolute beachfront location. The Reef View Hotel is a fully serviced spacious hotel with interconnecting rooms that cater for couples or families of up to 6. The Palm Bungalows are freestanding island bungalows situated in a tropical garden setting that are specifically designed for couples or small families of 4. Then to complete the accommodation options are a range of privately owned self-catering Holiday Homes which can accommodate up to 10 people as well as the luxurious waterfront Yacht Club Villas which offer breathtaking ocean views over Dent Passage and can accommodate 8 people. The Hamilton island accommodation offerings have a variety of inclusions but common to all is the use of catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boards (sup) and snorkelling equipment and the Kids Stay and Eat Free program – children 0-12 yrs inclusive stay free when sharing with adults and using existing bedding and eat free from the kids menu at selected restaurants when dining with adults.

 

So if you are looking for a wow factor then Hamilton Island and the surrounding Whitsundays really delivers! Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities including scenic flights, bushwalking, diving and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, fishing, sunset cruises, day trips to gorgeous Whitehaven beach & Hill inlet and of course, sailing the Whitsundays. Cuddle a Koala at the Wildlife Park and meet the pre-historic looking Cassowary. Spoil yourself with an exclusive visit to Heart Reef. Swim with Sea Turtles on a discovery tour. For more action consider a Jet-Ski tour, an off-road adventure ATV tour or Go-Kart racing. If you happen to be visiting between July-September, then a must is to see the baby Humpback whales glide through the waters. Play a round of golf on one of Australia’s premier courses, do some yoga or relax at a spa or by one of the many pools. And lastly don’t forget to enjoy a long, lazy lunch or romantic dinner at one of the many island restaurants.

Caring for the environment…

Hamilton Island is car-free and strongly committed to protecting its unique natural setting and environment. Being car-free gives Hamilton Island a very unique, relaxed, and tranquil ambience. Getting around is done on foot, by complimentary shuttle bus (the buses run 7am to 11pm) or by an electric golf buggy. The buggies are so much fun! Other sustainable initiatives include the self-managed recycling program with 90% of treated effluent recycled back into fertilising the resort’s gardens. All building resources are sourced locally on the island where possible. Hamilton Island works closely with “Friends of the Reef” to ensure all chemical choices are phosphate free so as the run-offs do not damage the reef. The focus is on great care for the land so that this spectacular and precious part of the world can be enjoyed for generations to come.

You can see why Hamilton Island offers a great base for an amazing Whitsunday and Great Barrier Reef adventure. This is a resort who is committed to delivering a holiday that will be cherished forever. With the combination of a spectacular destination, the myriad of activities on both land and sea, encounters with the resident wildlife and the opportunity for a bespoke visit to Heart Reef, it is no wonder Hamilton Island is the perfect choice. Make sure to include a stay with Hamilton Island on your next visit…. I know it will be the highlight of your Queensland & Aussie adventure!

Facts:

With mild weather all year round, any time is a great time to visit Hamilton Island. However, there are some unique features to each season that it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re planning a trip:

• February and March: On rare occasions, cyclones may form at this time of the year. In general, most days are sunny and hot. The average temperature is 30C.
• June: Officially winter (as winter as it gets in Queensland!), so evenings are cooler and there can be rain and strong breezes, but days are often clear and blue. The average temperature is 24C.
• September: It gets warm and very sunny, but never too hot. It’s the best time to enjoy the island due to the predictable weather. The average temperature is 23C.
• October to December: The weather is typically hot and sunny. These pre-Christmas months are very warm but less tropical than the post-Christmas months. The chances of showers during the day can increase. The average temperature is 28C.

Jellyfish: Irukandji Jellyfish can be present in the warmer months (October-May). We recommend you wear a stinger suit (lightweight wetsuit) which will also protect you from the Queensland summer sun.

Good to know:

Hamilton Island is perfectly located just off the Queensland coast of Australia and in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. You can fly direct to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with a maximum flight time of 3 hours from Melbourne.

Part of the Whitsundays, and in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most spectacular and sought-after holiday destinations. On a holiday to Hamilton Island, you’ll be surrounded by pristine white beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life.

Highlights of a stay on Hamilton Island include:  spend a day enjoying stunning Whitehaven Beach, consider a bare boat charter or a sunset sail in the Whitsundays, snorkel or dive the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, hike up to Hill Inlet or Passage Peak lookouts, catch a helicopter flight to Heart Reef, meet all the unique Aussie animals at the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park, and enjoy a long lazy lunch at any of the amazing restaurants.

You could easily spend 5-9 nights on Hamilton Island for a fantastic family holiday and a complete relax.

And finally:

AET Travel (formerly Australia Expat Travel) specialises in exceptional holidays to Australia and New Zealand. We make it simple with our local knowledge, seamless logistics and trusted advice since 2004. Expect a bespoke itinerary curated with the big picture and the small details. Contact us