What a fabulous week we’ve just had on Hamilton Island! I still can’t believe it has taken me 40 years to visit such a beautiful destination. Somehow I’ve been lured elsewhere and yet, this incredibly underrated gem has been on my doorstep the whole time.
Picturesque? Tick. Plenty of accommodation and restaurant options? Tick. Easy to get to? Double tick. Activity options? Tick. Family friendly? Tick, tick, tick!
OUR TOP 10 HAMILTON ISLAND MUST-DOS!
1. HITTING THE BEACH
Our daily go-to was Catseye Beach; think soft white sand, palms-a-plenty and sparkling blue water as far as the eye can see. As we we stayed at one of the main resorts (the Reef View Hotel) everything from stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkels, windsurfers, catamarans and so much more, was available for complimentary hire – major bonus! Our children loved getting amongst the action while the tide was in, then fossicking for hermit crabs and snorkelling as it went back out.
2. POOL PARTY
A resort stay just isn’t complete without a daily dip and oh boy, were we in luck! The Reef View Hotel offers not one, but four pool options! Swimming and lounging was on constant rotation from the Reef View Hotel pool (perfect for serious lap swimmers), to the Main pool (with a swim-up bar, pool soccer nets and a playground near by), the Bougainvillaea pool (ideal for families and tiny tots too) and the Sails pool (a deeper swimming option).
3. STOP, BUGGY TIME!
If you’re a family of four or less, getting around Hamilton Island is tons of fun with the hire of a golf buggy (approx. $87 per 24 hours, plus $6 if you need baby seats). However if you’re like us, a family of five, then the free shuttle buses come in handy! We hopped on the ‘green’ bus to visit the stunning Hamilton Island Marina; for shopping, amenities, restaurants and the ferry/cruise terminals, while the ‘blue’ bus zipped us around to stops like One Tree Hill and out to Palm Valley; for the Aquatic Golf Driving Range and the Quad Bike course for kids.
4. WHITEHAVEN HEAVEN
Cruise Whitsundays whizzed us over to Whitehaven Beach, only 30 minutes by catamaran. Not just any catamaran either, Cruise Whitsundays provide it all; beverages and snacks, super comfy seating with tables, all amenities on board plus really entertaining commentary en route! The half-hour flew by and before we knew it, we had our toes on the softest, whitest, coolest sand we’ve ever felt while feasting our eyes on crystal clear, sparkling water. Cruise Whitsundays also provided plenty of beach fun; from volleyball to sand-making competitions, as well as fish feeding and bush walks. Seaplane rides were also on offer for bird’s eye views of Whitehaven’s spectacular sandy ‘swirls’ from above.
5. FINDING NEMO
Another day afloat Cruise Whitsundays saw us motor out to the famed Great Barrier Reef. Arriving at the Hardy Reef Pontoon after a very entertaining two-hour catamaran sail (including spotting numerous whales), we could barely get our snorkelling gear on fast enough to dive into the azure water and discover the subsurface world below. With our three-year old riding on my back and hubby equipped with a waterproof Go-Pro, we spent hours relishing the beauty of the marine life beneath. A helicopter transported several day-trippers to the famous “heart reef” while regular trips in the semi-submarine plus an underwater observatory offered fish spotting sans the wetsuit.
6. SUNSET SIPS
After two underwater aquatic adventures, it was time to hit the high ground. The ‘blue’ bus transports us to the legendary One Tree Hill Cocktail Bar where we ooh and ahh with hundreds of other visitors as we watch one of the most picturesque, auburn-coloured sunsets transform to blushing pink as it sets behind the Whitsunday Islands.
7. HIKING OFF LAST NIGHT’S COCKTAILS
While the children enjoy some daddy-time on the beach, I decided to tackle one of Hamilton Island’s most famed walking trails: the hike up to Passage Peak. 45 minutes (and several photo stops) later I reach the summit. Even though my legs feel like jelly (oh those stairs), the view from the top exceeds my highest expectations and suddenly I wished hubby were with me to enjoy it. I decide next visit, to utilise the Clownfish Kids Club so we can do this together (and several of the other remarkable trails too).
N.B. There are plenty of babysitters available too!
8. GAMES, GAMES, GAMES & MOVIES TOO!
An unseasonable wet-weather day during our visit proves to be the perfect way to explore what’s on offer. Thankfully the Resort Centre offers everything from an arcade, foosball tables, table tennis, craft kits, colouring in competitions, free gym happy hours, art classes, giant chess, giant checkers as well as Island Bowling, daily bingo, a video library, mini golf course, plus free movies screened in the Yacht Club Auditorium. No complaints here!
9. FLOAT THE BOAT
Hubby’s turn to have some childfree time provided the perfect fishing opportunity. Hiring a 6-seater dinghy from the Marina (no licence required) he enjoyed six hours of cruising around the Whitsundays, fishing for Coral Trout and spotting several Humpback Whales breaching in the distance.
10. EATING FOR TWO
Dining on Hamilton Island is a breeze. Not only are there many restaurants to choose from, but at several of them, if an adult purchases a meal, the children eat free! Our favourite was Coca Chu (South East Asian cuisine). The Kids-Eat-Free policy also applied at Manta Ray (Mediterranean), TAKO (Mexican), the Pool Terrace Restaurant at our resort, plus Sails (for breakfast and lunch). Plus if you feel like eating while spotting some Australian marsupials, WILD LIFE park offers breakfast with koala cuddles!
BONUS: TOP TIP!
Download the Hamilton Island App before you go – it was so ridiculously handy for everything from booking restaurants, bus timetables, interactive maps and even daily activities.
After an incredible week of hikes, day trips, beach-action, sailing and delicious meals we hop back on the Hamilton Island shuttle which takes all of five minutes to return us back to the airport.
As always, I take a moment to reflect on two questions.
- Would I recommend this to other families? Yes!
- Would we come back again? A resounding yes! ASAP!
EXCLUSIVE HAMILTON ISLAND TRAVEL OFFER!
Receive 10% OFF all Hamilton Island hotels
including the Reef View Hotel, the Palm Bungalows and for a parents-only retreat, the Beach Club and Qualia Resort!
