Hamilton Island Guide

Your guide to everything there is know to about Hamilton Island - how to get there, what to do on the island, and the sights to soak in.


Looking for a paradisiac island getaway? Look no further than Hamilton Island. This beautiful island in the Grand Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, and is home to spectacular beaches, tropical wildlife, and world-famous, crystal-clear, turquoise water.

If you’re someone that enjoys luxurious and secluded island getaway, Hamilton Island is the perfect place to tick the Whitsundays off your bucket list. From pristine beaches to relaxing spa days and a world-class golf course, Hamilton Island offers everything you could possibly want from a dreamy vacation.

In this guide, we'll explore where Hamilton Island is, how to get to this magnificent island, and what to do once you get to Hamilton Island.

Where is Hamilton Island?

Hamilton Island is situated about 12 Kilometres from the Queensland Mainland and approximately 887 kilometres north of Brisbane. About five km² in size, it is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland and is considered a beloved and must-do tourist experience. For the locals, Hamilton Island is regarded as the perfect base while exploring the magnificent Grand Barrier Reef.

How to get to Hamilton Island

Travelling to Hamilton Island can be done in two ways: by boat and air. Two airlines offer daily flights from Brisbane International Airport and Hamilton Island Airport.

Hamilton Island Guide

Arriving by boat is by far the most popular way to head out to Hamilton Island. Multiple ferries leave from Airlie Beach to the island twice a day. Travelling by boat, your vacation spirit awakes the moment you sit down and take in the incredible surroundings on the way out to Hamilton Island. With a beautiful, year-round warm sea breeze and stunning views of the Whitsunday islands along the way, sailing is the perfect way to begin your holiday on Hamilton Island.

If you’re looking to make the most of the Whitsundays, take on Hamilton Island and the region with your own private charter. Make the trip at your own pace, create your own itinerary, see the sights on your own terms, and arrive in style by hiring a private boat charter with Wings.

What to do on Hamilton Island

As Hamilton Island is the largest populated Island of the Whitsunday Islands, there are a lot of activities on or near the island to enjoy. Whether you want to relax on the beach with a cold drink in your hand, participate in sports and activities, or explore the breathtaking flora and fauna of the island, Hamilton Island offers something for every kind of traveller.

Relax on one of Hamilton Islands' many beaches


Tanning in the sun, taking a swim in warm, turquoise water and relaxing are generally what everyone has in mind when thinking about Hamilton Island. Catseye Beach is considered the most popular beach on Hamilton Island. Just a short walking distance to most accommodation on the island, the long and curvy beach invites a day spent in the sun and the beautiful bay. Looking for something more secluded? Then make your way down to Coral Cove or Escape Beach for an afternoon.

See some of Australia's greatest natural wonders


Hamilton Island is the perfect home base if you want to explore the natural beauty of the reef and the islands of the Whitsundays. The Grand Barrier Reef and Heart Reef invite you to snorkel and see a wide range of tropical fish and corals. Whitehaven Beach, one of Australia's most famous beaches, is just on short boat ride away, ideal for a day trip. There are plenty of ferries and charter crews on Hamilton Island to explore. When hiring a private boat charter for your Hamilton Island escape, you'll have the perfect opportunity to explore the whole of Whitsundays at whatever pace suits.

Exploring Hamilton Island

Enjoy a luxurious day at Qualia


The luxurious qualia resort is located on the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island and offers everything for relaxation. Enjoy a high-quality treatment at the spa, dine in a fine restaurant with a stunning view of island-dotted turquoise water, or spend the weekend staying in their world-class accommodation.

Play a round of golf on Dent Island


Ever dreamed of an island designed purely to satiate your hunger for a game of golf? If you’re an avid golf player, then Dent Island is the perfect day trip while on your Hamilton Island vacation. Just a five-minute boat ride away, Dent Island offers world-
class golfing as Australia's only 18-hole championship golf course located on its own island. With lush and green vegetation and the ocean around you, Dent Island (without a doubt) will provide the most exquisite game you’ll have in your life.

Get up close with Hamilton Island wildlife


The best place to see all of the stunning wildlife is the Hamilton Island wildlife park in the heart of the island. Hamilton Island is a nature lover's paradise and home to a wide variety of native species. Encounter koalas, kangaroos, and a great variety of tropical birds like sulphur-crested cockatoos and kookaburras. Want to get up close and personal with the underwater world? Hamilton Island is the perfect spot for snorkelling, diving, and swimming around the reefs.

Hamilton Islands hikes


Take some time away from your day-to-day while you stroll around the island on one of Hamilton Islands' many walking trails. There are options for every fitness level to walk between lush vegetation and unique wildlife. The end result of each walk or hike will always reward participants with a beautiful tropical beach view.

Can you do a day trip to Hamilton Island?

Hamilton Island is a convenient ferry ride away from a wide range of islands and the mainland, so it is easy to explore the island on a day trip. Plan to squeeze all the beaches, sights, and coral reefs into one day or consider hiring a charter boat to Hamilton Island to give yourself more time to explore an island full of Australia's most stunning natural attractions.