HAMILTON ISLAND

View from your Balcony

This Island is part of the Whitsundays but felt it needed its own place in our Top Spots.

I don't even have words for this place! I've said this before but I'll say it again, we just love this place. Everything about it just ticks all the boxes for us. This place is just amazing and you really have to see it for yourself.

We stayed 2 nights at the Reef View Hotel and the view from your balcony is just amazing.

We ferried to the island with Cruise Whitsundays which is a 40 minute trip from the Port of Airlie. The hotel transfer bus picks you up at the ferry terminal when you arrive at Hamilton Island and takes your bags ready to go up to your room so you can get straight into exploring. We arrived around 8am and hired some golf buggies for 24 hours. We spent our first day whizzing around on them exploring the island. They were so much to explore with. The following 2 days used the free shuttle bus service or walked to get us from A to B. 

One of the best things for us as a family of 6 is the fact that kids stay and eat for free at participating places. Normally when you get kids eat free it is always one kid per adult. However, that is not the case here which is a huge win for us. If you download the Hamilton Island APP it will tell you everything you need to know about which places are free for kids. They have just opened up a new Pizza bar which was delicious, unfortunately it's not part of the kids eat free but we tried it anyways and loved their pizzas. 

There is so many activities to do on Island including a number of amazing swimming pools, Catseye beach and its beach activities (stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling and catamarans). The 3 older boys even tried out the kid’s quad bike track this time. They thoroughly enjoyed the fast adrenalin rush. 

There's an IGA and a number of shops including a pharmacy and even a Surf shop. We highly recommend Sails for a buffet Breakfast by the pool and the curry pies at the Bakery are the best pies we have had yet. 

Definitely head up to One Tree Hill if you love a good sunset and cocktail with a view. If you love to snorkel and have always wanted to snorkel with turtles, you'll definitely spot them on Catseye beach. These awesome little fellows love a good selfie and will happily let you swim along beside them. Best time we found was high tide when they come right up close to the shoreline.