The top things to do on & around Hamilton Island

Looking for all the best things to do both on - and departing from - Hamilton Island? Escape to the Great Barrier Reef to enjoy a day or night on the exclusive pontoon or visit the nearby Whitehaven Beach. View and book all your activities here.

The top things to do on & around Hamilton Island

Looking for all the best things to do both on - and departing from - Hamilton Island? Escape to the Great Barrier Reef to enjoy a day or night on the exclusive pontoon or visit the nearby Whitehaven Beach. View and book all your activities here.

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Top 10 Things to do Hamilton Island

In the heart of Whitsundays lies Hamilton Island, an untouched beach haven known for its vast marine wildlife along the Great Barrier Reef, exceptional water sports, and heavenly temperatures.

Every year, thousands of tourists and locals alike voyage to Hamilton Island in search of pearly beaches and colourful reef. Yet there is more to the destination than meets the eye. You can take flight and tour the Whitsundays Islands from above, rent a jet ski, paddle board or kayak, or hike the bush terrain. Whichever activity you decide, Hamilton Island will offer you a memorable holiday.

1. Overnight Reef Cruise

Location: Port of Airlie Departure, 24 The Cove Road, Airlie Beach, QLD

Experience the vibrant colours and magic of the Great Barrier Reef under the moonlight with an overnight cruise to Reefworld, a permanent pontoon stationed on the Hardy Reef.

Board a speedy vessel in the late morning to enjoy snorkelling, diving and swimming with hundreds of fish at Reefworld.

Opt for a massage on the upper deck, or embark on a helicopter ride to get a grander view of the vibrant coral colours and islands.

As the day wraps up around 3pm, many guests will travel home. But those that have purchased the Reefsleep package will find themselves amongst an intimate group taking on the overnight stay.

How many people can say that they have literally slept on the Great Barrier Reef under the stars? Not many.. which is why this overnight reef cruise is so special and a once in a lifetime experience you must tick off your bucket list.

The Reefsleep holds a maximum of nine people and guests can enjoy a dinner in the underwater observatory as thousands of fish swim just meters away.

The Reefsleep is a truly unique experience as guests can witness seabirds and sea turtles surfacing as the flush of nightfall washes over the reef.

Night dives are also available for experienced divers.

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2. Luxury Sailing Cruises

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

Sailing around the Whitsundays is one of the most relaxing experiences from Hamilton Island.

There are several luxury sailing companies that will take you out for 2 – 3 days providing exceptional cabin accommodation, meals, as well as professional skippers and hostesses to ensure smooth sailing.

With a collection of 74 islands, The Whitsundays are made for sailing and what better way to cruise the waterways than on a luxury sailing cruise. Choose from a variety of vessels to learn all about the Great Barrier Reef and its ecological wonders.

The vessels range in size and yachts are also available for the same kind of experience.

Most of the companies are owned by families that have lived and explored the area for more two decades, ensuring that you can sit back and enjoy the ride while learning about the amazing facets of the Great Barrier Reef and all its ecological wonders.

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3. Seaplane Flights

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

The best way to experience the Hamilton Islands? By air. Soar above turquoise water and white silk sand.

Board a seaplane, fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter to embark on a truly enjoyable ride to and from Hamilton Island.

Fly to a remote island on seaplane flight and enjoy the serenity and seclusion of a private beach for the day. Swim or snorkel to your heart's content thanks to a Whitsundays Seaplane Flights. The scenery is so perfect it is almost hard to believe that it's real.

The views are truly incomparable to any other in the world. Guests of Hamilton Island can book flight experiences to Reefworld or Whitehaven beach.

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4. Whitehaven Beach

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

Sailing around the Whitsundays is one of the most relaxing experiences from Hamilton Island.

There are several luxury sailing companies that will take you out for 2 – 3 days providing exceptional cabin accommodation, meals, as well as professional skippers and hostesses to ensure smooth sailing.

Whitehaven Beach is consistently voted as Australia's most beautiful beach and it's seclusion only adds to it magic. Join a Whitehaven Beach day cruise to enjoy free time on the island.

The vessels range in size and yachts are also available for the same kind of experience.

Most of the companies are owned by families that have lived and explored the area for more two decades, ensuring that you can sit back and enjoy the ride while learning about the amazing facets of the Great Barrier Reef and all its ecological wonders.

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5. Catseye Beach

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

Catseye Beach is a popular family destination known for snorkelling, paddle boarding and catamaran hire on a very tranquil and picturesque waterfront.

The beach is just steps away from several resorts, making it the go-to beach day for those looking to pack a lunch and enjoy some water activities in the sunshine.

The idyllic beach is what postcards are made of. Find some shade under a tree and soak in the views or head to the water sports desk and be as active as you feel like.

The beach is also complete with lounge chairs for visitors to use free of charge and is close to the resort pools, restaurants and bars.

You’ll often find crowds scattered along the beach during the day enjoying the beautiful weather. Cool tip: when the tide goes out, beachgoers can take a leisurely walk along the sand flats.

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6. Passage Peak Walk

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

As the highest viewing point in all of the Whitsundays, the Passage Peak Walk is worth the climb.

The ruggedly pristine trail can be accessed via three points on the island, including the Scenic Trail entrance, Palm Valley and the eastern end of Catseye Beach.

The climb is roughly 2,650 metres and takes an average bushwalker 90 minutes to complete.

The walk is not the faint-hearted but the views from the top are well worth the effort so take your time and don't forget the camera. A picnic and rest stop awaits.

At the halfway point, a picnic and rest stop area awaits at the Hill Top Viewing.

Hikers can enjoy a sip of water and take in the exceptional views of the north and south sides of the island, like Catseye Beach.

Expect to sweat out half your body weight and arrive prepared with bottled water and a bite to eat.

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7. Hamilton Island Water sports

Location: Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island, QLD

This part of the world was meant for water exploration, and Hamilton Island offers a wide range of water sports for both children and adults.

Get a quick workout in with a kayak or paddleboard rental and cruise along the world’s most magnificent marine playground.

Tear it up with a jet-ski and discover some of the hidden coves in and around Hamilton Island.

Tear it up with a jet-ski and discover some of the hidden coves in and around Hamilton Island or chill out on leisurely kayak or stand up paddle board.

Chill out with a group of friends with a dinghy hire, where you can explore other unvisited spots of the island, or anchor down and fish.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Hamilton Island experience without delving into the tropical reef with a snorkel rental.

Check out Hamilton Island Beach Sports – they offer all watersport activities (also including parasailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and tubing) based out of Catseye Beach.

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8. Hamilton Island Golf Course

Location: Hamilton Island, QLD

Every year, golfers of both the professional and amateur level pilgrimage to Hamilton Island Golf Club and experience one of the most challenging 18-hole and Par-71 course found in the southern hemisphere.

Developed by the five-time British Open winner Peter Thompson, the course is known for its unique landscape, steep hills and sharp mountains carved out naturally by Mother Nature.

The 18 hole golf course is situated atop its own mountainous island granting you incredible 360 degrees as you wander through each hole.

The golf course is the only 18 hole championship golf course on its own island directly opposite Hamilton Island. Its exclusive location near Hamilton Island is a popular playground for the rich and famous. You never know who you may spot playing a round of golf here.

Harsh wind speeds and impervious bushland have made the course difficult for even the most advanced of golfers.

The golf club is only accessible by ferry or boat. The club offers a pristine 3-day getaway for golfers and holidaymakers alike, where guests can register for golf lessons, book in at the island spa, or just golf the day away. Post-put, golfers can enjoy a midday cocktail and snack at the clubhouse.

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9. Marina Daze

Location: Front St, Hamilton Island, QLD

Marina Daze is an open-air live music event hosted on the lawns just above the Hamilton Island Marina.

The event is free of entry for all. Guests and families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, hunker down, and enjoy the vast variety of musical tunes while served a complimentary char-grilled BBQ dinner.

Enjoy island tunes in a beautiful location while munching on a BBQ dinner under the stars. Marina Daze is an outdoor event hosted on the lawns above the Marina.

Marina Daze occurs on weekends from 5.30pm to 8.30pm and is the perfect way to get you into island mode while on holiday.

Marina Daze is an outdoor event and weather dependent so check with reception whether the event will be going ahead.

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10. WILD-LIFE-Hamilton-Island

Located near the Hamilton Island resort, you can get close and personal with native Aussie wildlife and even cuddle a koala at WILDLIFE Hamilton Island.

Free things to do Hamilton Island

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