Hilly Half Marathon - 06 May
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Now in its sixth year, the Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon is an exhilarating experience with a variety of terrains from marina outlooks, to fire trails and walking tracks up the rugged Passage Peak which rewards competitors with breath taking ocean views of the stunning Coral Sea and surrounding Whitsunday Islands.
Comprising of two participant options, the Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon includes the challenging individual 21km half-marathon for experienced competitors, but also popular relay teams of three people running 7km each. Later that morning, will be the popular Junior Fun Run providing children aged 15 years and under with a choice of three distances to compete in from 3000 metres, 1500 metres or 750 metres.
Following the event, Hamilton Island will host a medal presentation ceremony on the Marina’s Front Street next to Manta Ray cafe, with a complimentary barbeque, lucky draw prizes and live entertainment.
Entries for the 2012 Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon have opened online. For further entry, or registration information please visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au/marathon/

Island Bowling - NOW OPEN!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Bowling is now open on Hamilton Island!
Kegal 9 pin Bowling is a new and exciting family friendly activity now available at Hamilton Island's Activity Center.
Cost: $39 per lane for $30 minutes and $69 for an hour, with a maximum of 6 people per lane.

Day & Night Bowling available.
Open from 2pm- 10pm daily

Hamilton Island Welcomes Oprah Winfrey
Thursday, December 09, 2010

For talk show queen Oprah Winfrey soaking up the surrounds of the Whitsundays was better than any picture in a magazine.

Oprah began her Ultimate Australian Adventure yesterday, flying into Hamilton Island at 1.25pm.

“I will be telling everybody that it is better than anything in a book or a magazine,” she said.

“It is a really long trip but it is worth it.

“The people here are really friendly.

“Oh my God, it is so beautiful,” she said.

Once her private jet had landed, Oprah made a quick dash from the airport to her luxury resort, qualia, for a costume change from her Akubra to a yellow beaded top and pants, more suited to the heat of the tropics.

Once she was refreshed from her plane ride, Oprah, with best friend Gayle King, drove a golf buggy from the resort to the Wildlife Sanctuary Animal Zoo, where she got up close and personal with a koala.

On her way to the sanctuary she stopped and spoke with tourists and fans who swamped her buggy as she tried to drive.

However, Oprah was not overwhelmed by the tourist and media frenzy. Instead she took the time to speak and say hello to those she met along the way.

Oprah was definitely in holiday mode as many people who got a rare glimpse of her said she seemed relaxed and laidback.

Along with greeting fellow tourists and fans, Oprah met with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh before checking out the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Joining Oprah on Hamilton are some of the 300 audience members who got the surprise of their lives during her show's 25th season premiere in September, when she announced they would join her on a trip to Australia.

One of those lucky audience members is Gillian Muir, of Alberta, Canada.

“Everyone in Australia is very friendly,” she said.

“I think (Oprah) has changed people's lives through what she does on her shows.”

Ms Muir said the experience has made her realise people are all the same the world over.

Sydney woman Vesna Stojanovska, who is holidaying with her two sisters on Hamilton Island, said it was wonderful to be sharing a holiday destination with Oprah Winfrey.

“It was really great to see her driving her own buggy and that she stopped and spoke to people – it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.

It's believed Oprah held a private party for 93 guests on Whitehaven Beach last night. She was expected to check out of qualia this morning.

The Australian Adventure programs are scheduled to air in the US in syndication in January 2011 and in Australia on Network Ten in prime time January 2011.

Oprah will hold a public appearance at a civic reception in Melbourne's Federation Square tomorrow.

Movies on Hamilton Island
Monday, May 03, 2010

We now have Movies on Hamilton Island! Our new 80 seat theatre style auditorium at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club is offering our guests the opportunity to enjoy a cinema experience during their stay in comfortable cinema leather seats on Tuesday & Saturday evenings at 7.30pm (start)! At a cost of $10 per person (paid on entry @ Yacht Club Desk) guests can enjoy some of the latest movies whilst enjoying a drink, chips of chocolates from the snack bar (additional cost)! Watch this space for pics! Upcoming movies include Invictus, Avatar, It’s Complicated, Sherlock Holmes, Old Dogs!
Tickets can be purchased at 12 noon on the day from the Yacht Club Concierge Desk.

Hamilton Island quickly returns to business as usual after C
Friday, March 26, 2010

Hamilton Island is welcoming back plane-loads of guests this week, following a swift and concerted clean-up in the wake of Cyclone Ului. Much of the Island is back to looking its best, just 48 hours after the storm.

Category three cyclone, Ului, passed over Hamilton Island in the early hours of Sunday morning, causing severe weather conditions. Strong wind gusts of up to 200km/h and rain showers mostly resulted in damage to vegetation, such as fallen trees and some broken windows.  However, no significant structural damage occurred to any of the hotels, due to their construction to the highest cyclone rating. Most importantly, all guests, residents and staff remained safe.

All flights and ferry services resumed on Monday 22nd March and most activities have restarted on the Island. Extra equipment was hired in from the mainland to help clear vegetation as quickly as possible and it was ‘all hands on deck’ as the Island’s residents volunteered to support staff in the clean-up effort. Power was quickly restored to the Island through the use of Hamilton Island’s own generator.

Glenn Bourke, Hamilton Island CEO, commented, “Hamilton Island’s extensive and rigorous cyclone procedures were definitely put to the test over the weekend. Naturally our focus was on the safety and comfort of our guests. We were well prepared for the bad weather and had taken all necessary steps to ‘batten down the hatches’. This included removing all outdoor furniture and bringing all our vehicles indoors, as well as ensuring we had adequate food provisions for everyone.”

He continued, “We are really proud of our staff and residents, everyone has pulled together exceptionally well. While we still have some work to do, it’s great to see how quickly we are returning to ‘business as usual’.

NEWSFLASH! QANTAS SPECIAL
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Qantas Special

Hamilton Island to Cairns OR Cairns to Hamilton Island
ONLY $99 one way!

Sale period:  TODAY, 13 Jan to 31 Jan 10
Travel period: 7 Feb to 29 Mar 10

Hamilton Island Golf Course is OPEN
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Hamilton Island Golf Course is OPEN as of yesterday!

Perfectly located  at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, the Hamilton Island Golf Club has some of the most spectacular views and settings of any golf course in the world. Designed by champion golfer, Peter Thomson of Thomson Perrett, the Hamilton Island Golf Club on neighbouring Dent Island is the only championship island golf course in Australia.

The course will challenge all levels of golf enthusiasts, from resort guests to professional golfers.

Designed as a series of holes strung along the ridges and played across steep valleys, the course layout works with the landform, with generally broad fairways taking the “line of least resistance”, avoiding the steeper, more sensitive areas.

The par 71, 18 hole course features two loops of nine holes returning to a central clubhouse with panoramic views of Dent Passage and Hamilton Island. The outward nine holes are a more compact layout around the centre of the island and the inward nine are strung out along the ridges to the south.

The island's natural and rugged beauty, together with its mountainous terrain affords stunning 360 degree views  across secluded coves and beaches to adjacent passages and islands, and the mainland beyond.

GREEN FEES
18 holes is $150, and 9 holes is $100. All green fees include return boat transfer from Hamilton Island and use of a two seater electric golf buggy for your round. Please allow 5 hours minimum to complete 18 holes and 2.5 hours minimum to complete 9 holes.

Direct from Sydney to the Whitsundays!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Virgin Blue launches new flights between Sydney and Hamilton Island

Thursday 14 May 2009:  Virgin Blue has announced it will launch direct flights between Sydney and Hamilton Island, the gateway to the world famous Whitsundays from 4 July 2009.

The airline's new direct service will operate daily and provide a convenient link between the New South Wales capital and one of Queensland's most popular tropical getaways.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "In the current climate, it is especially important to ensure we direct aircraft where we see sufficient demand and long term viability. Hamilton Island has long been a popular choice for both local and international travellers who fly to Hamilton Island via Brisbane and we are hopeful the new direct flight will entice even more visitors to experience the wonder of the Whitsundays"

Glenn Bourke, CEO, Hamilton Island, said, "We are delighted that Virgin Blue is offering this new service to our guests from Sydney who will now be able to enjoy greater flexibility in their travels to and from Hamilton Island. This is also perfect timing for all that we have happening on the Island this year with Race Week in August and the opening of our new Yacht Club and Golf Club around the same time. We also believe that guests at our world class resort, qualia will be excited to take advantage of Virgin's Premium Economy experience."

Importantly Virgin Blue flights from Sydney will bring some much needed competition to the route which is currently only serviced by one airline.

Virgin Blue's daily direct flight will depart Sydney at 1015 and touch down at Hamilton Island at 1245 before departing the Island at 1315 and landing in Sydney at 1545.

What is there to do on Hamilton Island?
Tuesday, February 03, 2009

What is there to do on Hamilton Island? Well, what ISN'T there!

Wondering what you can get up to during your stay? Well check out these exciting activities below:-

Quad Bike Adventure Tours:
Join us on an exciting adventure through Hamilton Island's forest trails by the thrill of our modern, self-drive, automatic quad bikes. Enjoy breathtaking views from our spectacular lookouts while our experienced guide provides information on everything Hamilton Island.

Can I do it?
No experience necessary
Minimum age 16 years
Must hold a minimum of a Learner Car Driver's Licence
All safety gear provided

Jetski Tours:
An unforgettable adventure in an unforgettable location!
Join us on this exciting tour where our experienced and friendly instructor will guide you on an adventure through the blue wonders of the Whitsundays.

Can I do it?
No experience necessary
Minimum age of driver 18 years
Minimum age of passenger 10 years
All safety gear provided

Koala Gallery Boutique Zoo:

Breakfast with the Koalas - Enjoy breakfast with the koalas. Nestled in the natural surroundings housing many different species of wildlife. Buffet Breakfast 7:30am - 9:30am Daily.

Crocodile Feeding Daily (in warmer months)

Cuddle a Koala - Ensure that you take home a photo with one of our cuddly koalas. Photo times: 8:30am, 10:30am & 3:00pm.

Adrenalin Rush Sailing:
"Come fly with us!"

Enjoy a RUSH HOUR like no other, in the tropical waters of the Whitsundays. Thrill to high speed sailing aboard this sleek purpose built Nacra 36 Catamaran, the only Maritime Safety approved catamaran in Australia that allows 4 people at a time to hang out together on a trapeze.

Snorkel Safari:
Join us on our 3 hour Snorkel Safari and have a guided snorkel over spectacular coral gardens and later beachcomb a Whitsunday Beach.

3 hours of fun and excitement - all gear supplied, small groups with personalised service.

Sea Kayaking Whitsundays:
Join us on one of our guided sea kayaking eco tours of the island and waters around Hamilton Island.
No experience necessary.

Reef Ryder:
The Whitsundays at it's best!
Full Day Cruise - The Whitsunday Explorer
Half Day Cruise - Two in One or Whitehaven Dash

Locations include:
Whitehaven Beach
Hill Inlet Lookout
Chalkies Beach
Hook Island Wilderness Resort
Coral Gardens