Hamilton Island is the largest resort island of the Whitsundays. Hayman, Daydream, and Hamilton are the only islands with accommodation available. You can easily take a day trip to Hamilton Island from Airlie Beach, but if you want to fully experience everything the island has to offer (and can afford it), I definitely recommend staying a few nights on Hamilton!
Enjoy Sea Activities!
Head down to the main beach of Hamilton Island, Catseye Beach, for the Watersports shack. Here you can pick from a wide variety of rentals and lessons or simply relax in the beautiful teal water. Rentals include Catamarans, Kayaks, Paddleboards, or Snorkel Gear and you can take lessons for sailing the Catamarans or Windsurfing as well.
NOTE: There are jellyfish and sharks in the waters of the Whitsundays. Be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date on the whereabouts of these dangerous animals.
The Watersports activities must stay close to the coast of Catseye Beach so if you’re looking to do some Island Hopping you’ll want to check out the Tour Desk or Dinghy Hire. Snorkel and Scuba tours are widely available as the Whitsundays sit right near the Great Barrier Reef. Also available are Sunset Cruises, Jet Ski Tours, or even Parasailing. The Dinghy Hire is the perfect option if you would rather go at your own pace around the islands.
Check out the Hamilton Island Website for all available rentals and tours! Link to site HERE
Don’t Skip the Land Activities!
Although the sea activities of the Whitsundays are iconic, the land options are just as unforgettable. There are genuinely so many things to see and do on the island from boujee restaurants to a wildlife center! Check out the list below for only some of the fantastic things to do inland.
- Rent a Buggy – these are EVERYWHERE on the island and make getting around so much easier. I definitely recommend getting one for at least one day to just cruise around the island.
- Offroad Adventure Tours – Ride around on 4 Wheel Drive vehicles on the sandy southwest side of Hamilton!
- Golf Club – Head to the driving range or play a full 18 hole course with a beautiful view.
- Mini Golf – If big golf isn’t your style, try out some mini golf! In the shade, this is the perfect, competitive escape from the blaring sun.
- One Tree Hill – Head to this lookout for sunset. You will not regret it!
- Go-Kart Racing – Speed around the island’s racetrack in single-person go carts!
- Wildlife Center – visit the Island’s very own zoo! There are various unclose animal encounters available here as well.
- Bowling Alley – Get away from the heat for a nice, air conditioned round of bowling.
Hike to Beautiful Outlooks!
Another inland activity on Hamilton is hiking! There are various treks to different outlooks and beaches that are all 100% worth it. Read below for a list of the most popular hikes on the island and check out the trail map as well.
Lookouts:
- Passage Peak is the ultimate lookout hike. This is one of the harder treks but is definitely worth it
- Resort Lookout is definitely easier, but still quite a bit of uphill
- South East Head has a giant chair for you to sit back and enjoy the sunrise from
Beaches:
- Coral Cove is home to the iconic giant swing and is at the perfect angle for both sunset and sunrise
- Hideaway Bay is a quick and easy walk to a less busy beach
TIPS: If you are hiking in the dark at all, definitely bring bug repellant. Bring plenty of water and always make sure someone knows where you are going in case of an emergency!
Day Trips/Tours to take from Hamilton Island
- Whitehaven Beach – this beautiful white sand beach is THE beach of the Whitsundays. You can hike up to a gorgeous lookout or simply relax on the stunning coast.
- Great Barrier Reef – take a snorkel or scuba tour out to the reef and enjoy the amazing coral and reef life in one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Some tours are even overnight so you can say you slept over the Great Barrier Reef. How cool is that ?!
- Scenic Flight – Take a scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. This will give you one of the greatest birds eye views of the Australian landscape.
Overall, a trip to Hamilton Island WILL be expensive. Accommodation is pricey and so are the tours and activities. Your bank might be hurting by the end but you will leave this paradise with some unforgettable experiences.
Sylvia's Gap Year 