Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands of Central Queensland. It is part of the Great Barrier Reef. The island has been developed as a popular holiday resort, and made waves in 2008 when it advertised the caretaker's position as the Best Job in the World — $150,000 for six months of living on the island and blogging about it once a week.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Hamilton Island is a resort island, part of the Whitsunday Islands. Hamilton Island has the most places to stay, restaurants and shops of all the Whitsunday Islands. Whereas many of the Whitsunday Islands only feature a single resort, Hamilton Island features many resorts and hotels. Infrastructure is on the north side of the island. To the south, the island is untouched natural vegetation.
A free shuttle bus meets all arriving aircraft to transfer guests to the Reef View Hotel, Whitsunday Holiday Apartments or Palm Bungalows. Beach Club guests, Reef View Hotel Suite, qualia and Deluxe Holiday Home Villa guests will receive VIP transfers in a chauffeured golf buggy. Hamilton Island Holiday Home guests check in at reception counter at the airport entrance - and pick up their personal 4 seater golf buggy on arrival. You can get around in Hamilton island by golf buggies. Cars are prohibited. Apartment hire usually includes exclusive use of a buggy. Golf buggies can be hired, for a daily fee.
Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. There is no reef off the Hamilton Island beaches, so good snorkelling requires a boat trip. Take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef Visit Whitehaven Beach Sail the Whitsunday islands Kayaking around the island Trek up to Passage Peak Catch your own fish for dinner Go Scuba diving. Witness a spectacular sunset Play a round of golf. Hamilton Island Golf Course is on the neighbouring Dent Island, a 5 minute ferry trip away.
There are restaurants, cafes and pool bars attached to most of the hotels and resorts. There are also independent food places in the Marina area. You can get reasonably priced food at the take-away places, and even an occasional snack from the pool bars. Expect to be paying a premium to eat here though. There are no real bargains to be had. Bommie - Modern Australian in the new Hamilton Island Yacht Club - signature restaurant on Hamilton island. Romanos Italian Restaurant - Italian and Seafood restaurant on the Marina. Steakhouse - Relaxed family-style restaurant and bar specialising in steak dishes. Mariners - Fresh Seafood and contemporary dining in the Marina Village. The Pool Terra…
Marina Tavern - Large pub with wooden decks overlooking the Hamilton Island Marina Bottle shop - Retail shop selling a range of wine, beer and spirits Cocktails - Sunset cockatils on One-Tree Hill most days (weather permitting) Bars - There are many bars and lounges spread throughout the resort complexes specialising in beer, wine, spirits and cocktails
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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