HAMILTON ISLAND
The flashy marina and towering high-rises of Hamilton Island let you know immediately that this is a different kind of island escape. The largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island is almost entirely devoted to tourism, and is the only island with a modern commercial airport. The whole island is a world class resort and, at any time, can host up to 2,000 people, and 200 boats, being home to the only island marina in the Whitsundays, complete with its own yacht club.
Hamilton Island is no secret. Its accessibility by direct flight from many Australian cities has helped to make it not only the most popular of the Whitsunday islands, but the most popular island destination in Australia. Hamilton Island is more like a self contained town than an island resort, with everything you would find in a small town including shops, nightclubs and a post office.Hamilton Island is the only island able to offer such a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets. There are self contained apartments and villas (from one to four bedrooms), individual bungalows and the more affordable Palm Terrace Hotel set amongst tropical gardens. The island's centrepiece is the Reef View Hotel, which is 19 storeys high and boasts the highest external lift in Australia. Beach Club, the island's boutique hotel, offers five star luxury for those with the appropriate budget.
As the largest and most popular of the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island can provide a great variety of experiences during your vacation... except perhaps for the feeling of really 'getting away from it all'. Families love the selection of activities available, and special family packages are available. With the Whitsundays only accredited childcare facility, parents can relax knowing that the children are enjoying safe, supervised age-related activities including arts and crafts, beachcombing, snorkelling, hiking, fishing, mini-golf and pool games. Kids under 15 stay and eat free.
For honeymoons and romantic holidays, Hamilton has romantic hideaways at every turn where you can relax and watch the spectacular sunsets with a hamper of champagne and strawberries, enjoy a picnic on a deserted beach or dine under the star filled sky at an array of award-winning restaurants. Hamilton can also organise an unforgettable, intimate wedding with a choice of romantic beach, garden or chapel ceremonies.
For the single holidaymaker, there are six bars and nightclubs, over a dozen restaurants and cafes, a host of shopping facilities and a huge choice of activities. Pick yourself a spot under a palm tree, grab a cocktail and catch up on your rest or jump in to experience the dozens of activities on offer.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - HAMILTON ISLAND
As well as exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island can offer a host of other activities to satisfy the whole family. Most non powered water sports which include canoes, wind surfers and light sailing boats are free to resort guests. Other activities include jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, go-karting or riding the unique 'Wier Flier'. Or you can hire a boat and do your own exploring; a visit to Whitehaven Beach is a must. Hamilton Island even has its own wildlife park which is home to kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus and crocodiles. There are helicopter joy rides, and game fishing tours as well.
Visitors can catch glimpses of migrating whales as they make their way through the warm waters of the Whitsundays around July and September each year.
EVENTS
HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEKIn late August, the island plays host to its annual Hamilton Island Race Week yachting festival, in which more than 150 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand gather for a week of races around the islands. The racing stops for one day during the week for 'Whitehaven Day', when the yachts descend upon the beautiful Whitehaven Beach for the biggest beach party in the Southern Hemisphere.
THE GREAT BARRIER FEAST
The June long weekend will see another edition of the Great Barrier Feast, the ultimate food and wine weekend in the ultimate tropical location. Fantastic chefs and talented winemakers get together in Hamilton Island t delight visitors with their delicious inventions as well as to share with everyone interesting in cooking their latest techniques and best kept secrets.
THE POWERADE HAMILTON ISLAND OUTRIGGER CUP
The Powerade Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup is Australia's largest, oldest and richest outrigger canoe event, attracting more than 1000 competitors from all over Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Hong Kong and Fidji.
With a staggering $100,000 prizemoney up for grabs, every participant can finish the weekend a little richer. There will also be $1000 awarded to an individual, team or club who demonstrate the true spirit of the sport over the event weekend.
Trade shows, barbecues, a street parade, live entertainment, etc will ensure that everyone has fun.
ACCOMMODATION - HAMILTON ISLAND
The island features a range of three to five star hotel accommodation plus apartments and villas, ten restaurants, dozens of shops, and six swimming pools, including the largest pool in the Southern hemisphere. Its convention centre can cater for up to 1,000 people. With four hotels, Hamilton Island caters for everyone, from romantic palm-fringed bungalows, self-contained family apartments, and an exclusive beachfront boutique resort.
Self-catering accommodation is made up of one and two bedroom Resort-Side Apartments, Standard, Superior and Deluxe Villas and the Luxury Collection. They are usually configured as a group of common-walled apartments or villas, and share landscaped gardens and a swimming pool. All apartment and villa packages come inclusive of a four-seater golf buggy.
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