Hamilton Island family-friendly travel guide

HomeDestinations Australia family-friendly travel guide Queensland family-friendly travel guide Hamilton Island family-friendly travel guide

About Hamilton Island

Nestled among the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s favourite island holiday destinations. Whether you’re planning to holiday as a couple, or with a group of friends or family, there’s a wide range of accommodation options and activities available to suit you.

Much of the car-free island is covered in lush greenery and the coast is fringed by coral reefs, making Hamilton Island an idyllic location to switch off, relax and appreciate great food, warm weather and quality time with loved ones in magnificent natural surrounds.

Hamilton Island facts

Population

1,347 (2016)

Official language(s)

English

Time zone

GMT+10

Landmass

5 km²

Currency

Australian Dollar

Emergency number

000

Helpful information

Best things to do

Snorkelling and diving

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, and home to an incredibly diverse array of plant and animal life. Visitors come from all over the world to see spectacular coral formations, hundreds of species of fish, turtles, manta rays and even dolphins and whales (if you’re extra lucky). The best way to experience this majestic underwater world is with a snorkelling or diving tour: professionally organised with experienced guides and catering to all ability levels, from first-time divers to seasoned veterans.

WILD LIFE Hamilton Island

Cuddle a koala and get up close and personal with kangaroos, birds, snakes and lizards at this wildly popular stop for families holidaying on Hamilton Island. WILD LIFE Hamilton Island is centrally located on the resort side of the island and is the perfect place to start the day; arrive early for breakfast with the koalas!

Whitehaven Beach

No visit to the Whitsundays would be complete without experiencing the pristine natural wonders of Whitehaven Beach. Relax on the powder white sand, swim in the crystal blue water or get involved in some fun, family-friendly beach activities. Just a 30-minute trip from Hamilton Island on a high-speed catamaran, there are various tour and day trip options available to meet your group’s needs.

Best time to go to Hamilton Island

With mild weather all year round, any time is a great time to visit Hamilton Island.

Spring

September to November

Beautiful, warm, breezy weather with clear blue skies. It gets warm and very sunny towards the end of this period, approaching the summer months.

Average Temperature 23°C – 28 °C

Summer

December to February

Typically hot and sunny with occasional showers during the day. Tropical low pressure systems can develop in the Coral Sea at this time of year, on rare occasions resulting in cyclones forming.

Average Temperature 28°C – 30 °C

Autumn

March to May

A stunning time of year when locals say it is best to visit. The weather ranges from mild to warm with less daily showers and more days with crisp, clear blue skies.

Average Temperature 24°C – 26 °C

Winter

June to August

Mild to warm weather with some rain showers, but still with plenty of gorgeous blue days.

Average Temperature 21°C – 23 °C

Getting in and around for families

Getting in

The only Whitsundays Island with its own commercial airport, Hamilton Island Airport services direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns with Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas.

Ferries also cruise to Hamilton Island throughout the day from Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour on the mainland.

Most accommodation packages include complimentary return transfers from the airport or marina to your accommodation.

Getting around

Hamilton Island offers a complimentary Island Shuttle service for unlimited use, which allows passengers to hop on and off wherever they choose. Download the shuttle bus routes and timetable here.

There is also the popular option of hiring a golf buggy to get around the island. These come as two- or four-seaters, are easy to drive with no training required and can be hired hourly or daily.

Food and drinks that kids will love

Hamilton Island is home to many sophisticated, award-winning restaurants, laid back cafes and takeaway options. Here’s a couple to look out for:

Overlooking the Hamilton Island Marina, Marina Tavern is a fun, relaxed dining destination for families – with generous, pub-style meals, and indoor and outdoor seating.
Fun and family-friendly, Manta Ray serves up delicious pizza, seafood, meat dishes, from morning until late.
Popeye’s Takeaway is the perfect spot for enjoying some delicious fish and chips on Hamilton Island.

Shopping

Hamilton Island offers shopping opportunities ranging from everyday conveniences to high-end fashion. Visit Marina Village to browse beautiful local art, fashion and jewellery in the many boutiques, pick up souvenirs from any of the speciality stores and stock up on essentials at the IGA Supermarket.

Customs

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

What to wear

Make sure you add these items to your packing list:

Swimwear
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Light clothing plus layers for the evening in cooler months
Comfortable walking shoes
Special sporting equipment such as golf clubs
Medical certificate if you plan on learning to scuba dive or dive certificate if advanced diving is on the agenda

Courtesy

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners. Smile, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and locals will usually be happy.

If you’re visiting Indigenous cultures, it is best to check the individual customs of the region as Australia’s many cultures can vary greatly.

Electricity

On Hamilton Island the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz, the same as in mainland Australia, so you’ll have no trouble using your electrical appliances.

Safety and health precautions

Health precautions

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Most photographed places

Whitehaven Beach is where you will capture those iconic white sand, crystal blue water beach shots. In fact, this stunning seven-kilometre-long beach is the most photographed in Australia.

If you’re lucky enough to experience a helicopter or seaplane ride over the Great Barrier Reef, make sure to take your camera along to capture amazing shots from the air. In particular, look out for the famous Heart Reef.