Hamilton Island flights and travel guide

The waters are clear and sparkling, the weather perfect, the beaches of the softest sand and a range of accommodation to suit every pocket. Australians have booked cheap flights to Hamilton Island for years and years, but the eyes of the world turned to this Whitsunday Island with Tourism Queensland's successful campaign - The best job in the world - won by Ben Southall, a Pom. The upshot is more tourists, keen to enjoy this Edenic island on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

The largest inhabited island (650 square hectares) in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island lies 16km from the mainland.

It's a family-friendly destination - kids stay free at some resorts and eat free at some of the restaurants on the island - and there are plenty of activities for the family to enjoy such as bushwalking, go karting, golf and mini golf, a shooting range and a Koala Gallery Wildlife Experience, which is home, not just to koalas, but also kangaroos, wallabies, crocodiles, wombats, Tasmanian devils and various types of reptiles.

The most stunning views can be had from One Tree Hill, a popular venue for weddings. To the east, the view takes in Catseye Bay and Whitsunday Island, to the west, Dent, Henning & Plum Pudding Islands.

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Hamilton Island climate

Gorgeous year-round with temperatures averaging 27 degrees. Summer temperatures (November to February) are in the low 30s. Winter (June, July and August) temperatures fall to the low 20s. January to March is the rainy season.

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When to fly to Hamilton Island

Peak Season: 

There are several peak seasons on the island. Hamilton Island is popular with Australians and international visitors. May to October is the dry season, but Easter (around April), the school holidays, Christmas and Race Week (August) are also high-season times. Whale-watching season is July-September. 

Off Season: 

April to August is, in general, low season on Hamilton Island. November to May is the tropical cyclone season.

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Getting into town Hamilton Island

Guests will be met at the airport, by shuttle bus or chauffeured golf buggy, depending on the resort. Guests arriving by ferry from the mainland will also be met.

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Getting around Hamilton Island

There are no cars on Hamilton Island although there is a free shuttle-bus service, which runs between the resort precinct and the marina 7am-11pm daily. Golf buggies are the mode of transport. They can be hired for an hour, two or three hours or for the day.

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Hamilton Island insider information

• There is no reef off the beaches of Hamilton Island but water-sports enthusiasts will be able to pick up a range of craft from the harbour area to go snorkelling. Alternatively,  kayaking around the island is a pleasant way to pass a few hours. 
• If you take a flight over the Great Barrier Reef you'll spot the heart reef, a popular pastime with honeymooners. 
• Whitehaven Beach is gorgeous, so gorgeous that it has been named the beach to see before you die by the BBC. 
• The Great Barrier Feast is held every June. An increasingly popular event, the celebration of food and drink lasts for two days and features Australia's top chefs and winemakers. 
• Walking up to Passage Peak is a challenging affair but it'll be worth it. The views of the Whitsunday Islands at the top are drop-dead gorgeous.

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Hamilton Island airports

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