If you haven’t been to Hamilton Island, hurry and book now. It is a great Queensland island for couples, families and groups to unwind or be adventurous.
A range of fun water or land experiences to enjoy, you definitely won’t be bored.
Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar all fly to Hamilton Island on a daily basis from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns Domestic and International airports.
The weather is sensational year-round, although be wary, July on this visit was much cooler between 22 – 23 degrees. I preferred our visit 2 years ago in February where the average temperature is 30 degrees.
Airlines
Our 2 hour and 20 minutes Jetstar flight direct from Sydney only occupied 69 passengers. Besides a crying baby, it was a good flight and I had a spare seat next to me for our hats.
The lovely hostess said we had a $20.00 food and beverages credit. At first, we couldn’t work out why but James recently became a Jetstar member and a perk is the food and beverage credit.
I chose the ham and cheese toastie, which I’ve had a few times in the past, unfortunately, this occasion gave me an upset tummy. Will I buy a toastie again, not sure, we’ll have to wait and see.
https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home?tab=1
Accommodation
Our Deluxe Sea View Apartment at The Whitsunday Apartments has a 1 King Bedroom, living room and dining area. The sea view from the balcony/patio was sensational of the Coral Sea. The apartment’s kitchen is fully equipped with a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, cookware and dishware.
Other inclusions were: Air conditioning, free WiFi, Digital channels and DVD player, Iron/ironing board, phone, free cribs/infant beds also available on request.
https://wahi.com.au/accommodation_and_packages/deluxe_coral_sea_view_apartments/
Buggy Hire
Pick up your pre-arranged buggy at the airport, a good start to your holiday. Warning you will encounter a queue and a short safety video.
Driving around Hamilton Island in a buggy is one of our highlights and not something you get to experience driving yourself anywhere else. At least hire a buggy for a day.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/reserve-your-buggy
Swimming Pools
Main Pool – Huge pool with a swim-up bar where you’ll find great classic music playing sometimes repetitive.
Sails Pool – Although this Infinity pool is directly next to the Sails restaurant, it is a perfect spot to sip cocktails and watch the sunset. I love the infinity pool in front of the beach with the awesome photographic view of Catseye beach.
Bougainvillea Pool – Located next door to the Beach club right on the beach. A pool catered for families.
Reef View Hotel Pool – Not a fan of this pool due to its proximity to the Reef view Hotel’s restaurant diners but don’t be shy to bathe in the pool at least once.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/water-activities/swimming-pools
Activities
Catseye Beach – The most stunning view of the Coral Sea. Here you can see turtles and stingrays whilst snorkelling at Catseye beach. Not an activity we did this time but I highly recommend it from our previous visit. You can hire snorkel gear, kayaks, windsurfing, paddle boarding and jet ski. I suggest hiring stinger suits, however, in 2017, I still got a sea lice rash. I just can’t seem to holiday without some sort of creature attacking me.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/water-activities/beach-sports
Mini Golf – Located in between the Reef View Hotel and the Gift shop, this facility operates daily 6am – 8pm.
Glow in the Dark Mini Golf is offered every night, between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. Last Tee off is 7pm so you can get through the course before the closing time of 8.00pm.
Happy Hour (Before 10am every morning)
- Adult $12.50
- Child (under 12 years) $8.00 (same as day time rate)
- Family (2 adults 2 children) $30.00
AFTER 10am including Glow Golf
- Adult $16.00
- Child (under 12 years) $8.00
- Family (2 adults and 2 children) $40.00
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/golf/mini-golf
Bowling Alley – Seven lanes, an amusement arcade, try your hand a 9 pin bowling.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/attractions-and-activities/bowling-alley
Snorkel or Dive the reef – Hamilton Island offers diving and snorkelling tours, if you are not keen on diving, make sure to enjoy snorkelling. Snorkelling has been one of the best experiences of my life besides helicopter rides. It is an amazing feeling to be amongst the sea life.
Other Water sports- You can hire windsurfers, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Why not take a jet-ski or jetboat tour around the Whitsunday, go wakeboarding or tube riding, or even go parasailing for a spectacular bird’s eye view over the island.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/things-to-do/tourist-attractions-and-activities
Dining
Bob’s Bakery – Start your morning here for a takeaway breakfast, the service is quicker than the cafe down the road. The gourmet pies and sausage rolls are delicious and like us, you may find it hard to avoid every day.
This bakery has all the sweets you would expect and maybe more from croissants, Danish, donuts and cheesecakes. Delicious ready-made sandwiches are a great idea to buy for a day out at the beach.
Recommendation: Chucky beef pie.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/cafes-and-takeaway/bobs-bakery
Marina Cafe – Nice cafe to enjoy daily breakfast although it does get quite busy here that even a takeaway coffee order takes too long compared to Bob’s Bakery. Here you can enjoy a breakfast burrito, coffee, tea, freshly squeezed juices, pre-made sandwiches, paninis, focaccias and wraps.
Recommendation: James enjoyed the Egg and Bacon Marina Muffin.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/cafes-and-takeaway/marina-cafe
Coca Chu – This is a unique authentic Asian restaurant, where we celebrated James birthday on our first evening. You won’t be disappointed here. The food, cocktails and for me on this occasion mocktails were insatiable.
I recommend the Wagyu beef with rice noodles and broccolini, Salt and Pepper Cuttlefish, Mushroom San Bow Choi, and lastly the Elderflower and Apple mocktail.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/restaurants/coca-chu
Romanos – Italian restaurant with a cocktail bar. The food is divine, however, staff are not attentive or sadly just miss the mark .
I loved the setting and the seating downstairs by the water although in July it was freezing. Ensure you book a table prior to arriving on the island to avoid disappointment as this restaurant is always fully booked.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/restaurants/romanos
Facilities
Hamilton Island IGA Supermarket – Located at the southern end of Front Street in the Marina Village, the store offers a range of products including fresh fruit and vegetables, meats and deli produce, kitchen supplies and pantry items.
The Hamilton Island IGA Supermarket is a plastic bag free store, so bring your own carry bags. Otherwise, Cloth bags can be purchased for 0.25 cents.
Open: 8.00am – 7.30pm, daily
Phone: 07 4946 8898
Hamilton Island Bottle Shop – The Hamilton Island Bottle Shop is located alongside the IGA Supermarket. Choose from a range of local and imported beers, fine wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Open: 10.00am – 8.00pm, daily
Phone: 07 4946 8901
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/food-and-wine/supermarket-and-groceries
Island Shuttle – This free shuttle service operates daily from 6.50 am to 11.00 pm with 2 routes every 15 – 40 minutes. You may find yourself walking from your accommodation to the village more so than using this service. I recommend using the shuttle to One tree Hill for sunset.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/getting-around-island/shuttle-bus
Best Whitsunday Views
All Saints Chapel – This non-denominational chapel was closed on our visit but it is a fabulous spot to come and take pictures. The views of The Whitsundays and Catseye Beach is stunning.
www.hamiltonisland.com.au/attractions-and-activities/all-saints-chapel
One Tree Hill – This lookout gives you a spectacular view of the Whitsundays and is the prime location to watch the amazing sunsets on the island. Do not forget to bring a blanket, cheese, crackers and a bottle of wine. If you forget to bring some snacks try and score a table at the One Tree Hill bar for cocktails and snacks. You can catch the shuttle buses here or maybe even walk if you like a good hike.
Lots of tourist flock here, so try to come early to sit in a good spot.
One Tree Hill is where we started our mornings and ended our evenings, just too breathtaking not to.
https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/bars-and-clubs/sunset-cocktails
As always we had a wonderful time in Hamilton, it is a destination close to our hearts and an island we will return.
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Our journey continued to Hayman Island. Please follow this link – https://christinetravels.com/2019/08/26/hayman-bliss/
and please click on the following link for more information on Hamilton Island from a 2017 experience – https://christinetravels.com/2017/03/10/hamilton-island-the-place-to-be/
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