One of more than 70 islands comprising the Whitsundays on the Queensland Coast, Hamilton Island lies near the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This car-free playground offers pristine beaches, diving expeditions, golf, fishing and a dedicated kid’s zone for the little ones.

Things to do

Partially covered in preserved bushland, Hamilton Island gives you a rare chance to see koalas, kookaburras and wallabies in their natural environments. Book a tour guide to explore the interior of the bushland or hike up to Passage Peak for unfettered views of the picturesque Whitsundays archipelago.

Hamilton Island Marina is an informal gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, providing personal watercraft and high-speed catamarans for a day trip to Whitehaven Beach and Whitsunday Islands National Park. You can also join a fishing expedition or hire your own dinghy with bait and tackle included.

Turquoise waters lap the shores Catseye Beach, where the entire family can enjoy snorkelling, watersports, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and mastering the waves on mini-catamarans. Need some downtime? Head to the Hamilton Island resort pool for swim-up cocktails, sun-drenched loungers and pool volleyball.

Getting around

With no cars allowed on the island, walking is a common way to get around, especially on the resort side where most of the eateries, bars and activities are located. There is also a free island shuttle or you can hire private two or four-seater golf buggies.