Family adventure awaits on Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island (hamiltonisland.com.au) is a beautiful year round holiday resort popular with families. Located in the heart of Australia’s Whitsundays, a group of 74 essentially untouched tropical islands in the Coral Sea between the Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef, this is the largest of the inhabited islands.

Hamilton Island, easily reached by a range of direct Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Qantas Link flights from Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Brisbane, offers families an extensive range of activities.

Our Top Ten activities for families are:

REEFWORLD on the Great Barrier Reef - a day trip that includes snorkelling, scenic flights, an underwater viewing chamber and a semi-submersible coral viewing boat.

CLUB SEAHORSE at Reefworld - a free supervised service catering for children from six months to 14 offering age appropriate activities.

SCENIC FLIGHTS - in a seaplane or helicopter, offers a unique perspective of the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

THE KOALA GALLERY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE - breakfast with the koalas, a “Koala Tour”, crocodile feeding and the “Creatures of the Night” tour are all available. After the first, all return visits are free. Souvenir ‘koala cuddling’ photos are also available.
SNORKELLING – “Beach Sports”, at Catseye Beach, offers free equipment hire.

GOLF BUGGY ISLAND TOUR - a golf buggy can be hired for an hour, a half or full day in order to explore the island.

GO-KART RACING, MINI GOLF, WIRE FLYER, PARASAILING, SEA KAYAKING, TUBING, WATER-SKIING, DINGHY HIRE, SAILING and free non-motorised watercraft on the island.

WHITEHAVEN BEACH – regularly voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, is the ideal place to spend the day playing beach cricket, volleyball or lazing in the water and walking on the pure white silica sands.

THE CLOWNFISH CLUB – this is a fully registered and accredited day care centre where children are offered a great choice of activities with kids their own age, including chocolate making, screen-printing, fishing and island snorkeling.

KIDS STAY AND EAT FOR FREE - this package offers free accommodation to children up to 14 and free meals when dining with parents at selected island restaurants.

Over 70% of Hamilton Island remains in its original natural state, offering unspoilt beaches and pristine nature trails. Cars are prohibited on this 5kms x 3.5kms island, so guests get around in golf buggies or by foot.

With an average temperature of 27.4 degrees centigrade (81.3 degrees Fahrenheit), Hamilton Island appeals to travellers of all ages, interests and budgets. The island's location and extensive range of facilities appeals not only to families but also to the young at heart, mariners, romantics, honeymooners and adventure travellers.

The island has a choice of 20 shops and boutiques and ten restaurants, six bars and a nightclub. Accommodation options range from five-star to budget and include hotels and self-catering options.

Austravel (austravel.com) can arrange a holiday to Australia which includes Hamilton Island. A sample two week holiday costs from £1,519 and includes international and domestic flights with Qantas, 5-nights at Hamilton Island at the Palm Bungalows and 5 nights in 3* Sydney accommodation.