Hamilton Island

A world heritage listed marine park, the Great Barrier Reef extends for 2,300 km along the North Eastern coast of Australia. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system, comprising a network of about 2,900 individual reefs and home to nearly 2,000 species of fish. Whether taking a scenic flight, cruising, diving, snorkelling or admiring this wonder through an underwater viewing chamber, seeing it is one of the most magical experiences on the planet. One of the ways to explore the Reef is to get a package tour from Cruise Whitsundays: Day tours of the Great Barrier Reef organised by Cruise Whitsundays depart from Hamilton Island Marina every day at 9am.

The famous Whitehaven Beach with its white silica sand rests just a mere 20-minute boat ride from Hamilton Island. This place is so stunning the BBC voted it the number one beach to include in your bucket list. Note that you can get there only by booking a tour with a company, for instance Cruise Withsundays, which organises trips to Whitehaven Beach almost daily.

Heart Reef, located in Hardy Reef, is an amazing composition of coral shaped by nature into a heart. Heart Reef can best be experienced from the sky by helicopter or seaplane departing from Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island Air is one of the companies offering this experience, which also includes landing on the beautiful Whitehaven Beach. For more information and to book a tour visit the website below.

More than 70 percent of Hamilton Island is pristine natural bushland, which offers over 20 kilometres of scenic bushwalking trails. There are trails of different lengths and for all levels of fitness. Take a bushwalk up to Passage Peak, the highest point on the island, for the most breathtaking view of the Coral Sea and surrounding islands.

Catseye Beach is a heavenly spot for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. You will also find a beach sports hut where you can rent equipment like catamarans, kayaks, windsurfers, paddleboards and snorkelling gear. There is a chance that you'll spot local wildlife like cockatoos and sea turtles.

Topnotch Game Fishing offers fishing experiences with knowledgeable guides and quality equipment at your disposal. Both for experienced fishing enthusiast and first-timers. You'll fish among the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef to catch exotic species like coral trout, sweetlip, snapper and throat emperor.

Hamilton Island Golf Club is a 18-hole golf course just as big as the island where it's located, Dent Island. Since the course follows the natural shape of the landscape, it's quite challenging to play here, but also quite exciting.

Hop on a single or duo kart and race up to 45 kilometres per hour at the Go-Kart Racing Track. It's an alternative and fun way to spend the afternoon, far from the beach but still in a tropical setting.