Detailed Travel Guide to Hamilton Island, Queensland

I think I have briefly answered your first question: “ Where exactly is Hamilton Island ”?

Before I take you further to Hamilton Island, I should tell you a bit about Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Island archipelago comprising of 74 islands is located between the Queensland mainland and the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the 74 islands and islets of Whitsunday are not habitated and the few where people live includes our subject “Hamilton Island”.

Cruising the Whitsundays

The ideal conditions to sail the Coral Sea lures sailors in Yachts to cruise the 74 islands of Whitsunday archipelago. Another advantage for the sailors is the availability of docking bays for the boats and yachts.

Great Barrier Reef

Flickr: Lock the Gate Alliance

Great Barrier Reef is a world-famous coral reef congregation stretching to 2300 km of coastline. It is said to be visible from outer space too and the Australians are proud to say it is one of the wonders of the world. There are hundreds of small islands and little islets in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia.

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is one of the 74 Whitsunday Islands and is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Due to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Hamilton Island has developed into a calm and beautiful island holiday destination to the Aussies.

Hamilton Island is a tiny island comprising of just 5 sq.km. I suppose you can walk around the island on foot. Oh, even if you want to go around by car, you cannot do so as Hamilton Island is a ‘Car Free’ island. At the maximum, you can hire a ‘golf buggy’ to move around.

As the Hamilton Island is located very close to the Great Barrier Reef, you can find coral reefs at the fringes of its beach.

How to reach Hamilton Island

You must first be in Queensland, Australia. It is well connected by flights from all parts of Australia and several big cities in the world.

By Air

Hamilton Island is connected to its airport from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Adelaide.

If the flight timings do not suit your busy schedule, you can charter a private flight from:

• Airlie Beach
• Mackay
• Proserpine

These three are coastal towns in Queensland. Proserpine is the nearest town to Whitsunday Islands.

By Boat

Traveling to Hamilton Island by ferry can be the most satisfying voyage. There is no point in rushing to Hamilton Island as there are not too many things to do. You should enjoy the actual part of traveling.

Ferries are available frequently at Airlie Beach, Queensland. The boat ride will take just one hour from Airlie Beach to the Hamilton Islands Marina. The ferry service is operated from Port Of Airlie Marina and/or Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach, Queensland.

By Train

The train buffs can boards the Sunlander Express from Brisbane to Proserpine.

By Road

It’ll be a pretty long drive if you start from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. I read you need to drive for 12 hours to Airlie Beach.

For more information on cruising to Hamilton Islands, email [email protected] or [email protected]

Hamilton Island attractions

The ground is mostly covered by green tropical bushlands and the sea is home to hard and soft coral reefs. In between lies the white sand. Other islands you can go to in a hired dinghy or chopper are:

• Heart Reef

• Whitsunday Island

Marine life tour, Hamilton Island

The only major tour of this tiny island is the “turtle discovery” tour wherein you can get real close to some of the colorful marine life in Whitsunday archipelago such as the elusive sea turtles, dugongs, and the coral reefs. You can also identify the Irukandji Jellyfish during summer months.

This is a deadly one with strong venom. Stay away!

Wildlife in Hamilton Island.

As Hamilton islands is part of Australia, you can definitely keep up your date with Kangaroos and Koala bears.

It looks more like a Panda to me. Oh yes, you can also spot the Wallabies

and kookaburras

Walking Trails, Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is visited by avid fitness freaks for its walking trails that include the famous Passage Peak and the extraordinary views it offers. There are a few more walking routes in Hamilton  called,

Some of the must-try Hamilton bush-walks are:

• South East Head trail
• Coral Cove
• Escape Beach
• Hideaway Bay
• Resort lookout

Watersports, Hamilton Island

The Aussies’ hunger for water sports has paved way for the development of tourism in Hamilton Islands by way of various adventure activities in the Coral Sea that include:

• Windsurfing
• Kayaking (kayaking in the sea requires special skills)
• Snorkeling
• Dinghy ride for island hopping
• Seaplane ride
• Ride on the catamaran
• Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef

How is the weather in Hamilton Island?

Surprisingly in this part of the world, the climate is rather pleasant throughout the year. Clear blue sky and mid 20 temperature beckon you any time of the year.

Must-see beaches on Hamilton Island.

With a 5km by 3.5 km area, Hamilton is walkable by foot. Within that short area, there is only one beach in Hamilton. It is called the Catseye beach.

There is another beach called Whitehaven beach that is accessed after half an hour boat ride from Catseye beach.

Eating on Hamilton Islands.

As a good tourist center, Hamilton Island is full of eateries that range from sophisticated restaurants to quick takeaways. Long Pavilion and Romano ’s are two restaurants to name a few.

Staying options on Hamilton Islands.

Accommodation options in Hamilton Islands are one too much that suit different affordability. Resorts, villas and hotel rooms are more than sufficient to cater to the needs of tourists. I gather most of the Aussies will return to either Airlie Beach or Proserpine in the evening.