Are you looking for a lively island holiday for the family, perhaps a romantic island getaway with loads to see and do? Let me guide you to Hamilton Island on Queensland’s world famous Great Barrier Reef.

Getting to Hamilton Island is now easier than ever with all of Australia’s domestic airline carriers, Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar, now offering regular daily services direct to the island. If you are traveling up or down the east coast, you can also access the island via ferry from Shute Harbour, which is only about a 15 minute drive from the town centre of Airlie Beach. This can be a lengthy trip, but nice and relaxing with a food and bar service available.

When you arrive at the airport or dock at the marina, there will be a shuttle bus ready to collect you and transfer you to your accommodation. Just hop on board and the driver will announce the hotel at each stop.

If you are staying at the amazing Beach Club, there is an exclusive private transfer included so please do be sure to advise us of your arrival and departure details we can make these special arrangements prior to your arrival.

The one thing I always like to mention is the size of the island. I was so surprised and very overwhelmed for the first day as it certainly was not what I anticipated. How do I describe it…Hamilton is the size of a small suburb without being on the main land! They have 2500 + staff at one time, plus permanent residents; it's own school, fire brigade and ambulance!

Getting around the island – Would you believe that the main mode of transport on the island is by Golf Buggy! I would recommend that you hire a golf buggy for at least the first day (even if it is just a couple of hours) to orientate yourself with the facilities and restaurants etc.  There are several places where you can hire these and costings range from AUD$40 for two hours to around AUD$80 a day.  All you need is a driver’s license and you are set to go! 

There is also a resort shuttle bus which circulates the island regularly and you can hop on and off at your leisure.  The shuttle service was great, always reliable and on time.

Accommodation options are endless, there are hotel style complexes, self-contained apartments on the resort side (where all of the other main accommodation is located), apartments & villas away from the main hustle and bustle, the free standing bungalows, the exclusive Beach Club and the new 5 star Qualia luxury complex by the marina.

I stayed in a Coral Sea View room at the Reef View Hotel - the views were breathtaking, the rooms were quite large with 2 queen size beds and a roomy ensuite bathroom. This is a highrise complex with restaurant, swimming pool, tour desk, room service – all the facilities you would expect in a 4 star hotel. If you are traveling with kids and they don’t mind sharing a bed, then this is perfect for you. If you are on a budget and opt for the Garden View Rooms, these are located on the lower levels of the hotel, but some still do offer small glimpses out to the Coral Sea.

Next door to the Reef View is the Whitsunday Holiday Apartments. These have well appointed rooms with the convenience of cooking facilities, they are ideal for families and longer stays. They have a lovely swimming pool with a nice leafy garden surrounding.

The Palm Terraces are for those on a budget, but are also well located close to all of the main facilities and have nice furnishings.

Next to the terraces are the Palm Bungalows.  I thought these were great, good location, nice and private. They are one of the more economical options for accommodation.

There are a large range of apartments and villas away from the main resort area, which are great for large families, groups or perhaps couples traveling together. Most of the villas are surrounded by bushland and whilst some do offer water glimpses views are not guaranteed as they vary from villa to villa. Here you have the advantage of self contained facilities – your home away from home. Some villas and apartments do include the use of a buggy for the duration of your stay.

The Beach Club is the 5 star exclusive resort right on the beach and was as perfect as I expected! Great for honeymooners and those looking for 5 star excellence at affordable rates for a Queensland Island experience.  Beautiful decor, lovely tranquil surroundings and a high level of service from the staff. Please children are not catered for.

Qualia opened in September of 2007 and was being built when I visited. It is located down on the boat marina close to all of the main restaurants, boutiques and shopping complexes, but private enough to be the newest 5 star luxurious island experience. These 60 freestanding exclusive pavilions offer views over the Whitsunday’s and some even have private plunge pools. A truly tranquil setting.

If you are looking at doing something special or romantic during your stay, I would highly recommend a trip to Whitehaven Beach - it has the most beautiful white sand and crystal clear blue water.  There are only a limited number of people that are allowed to visit each day in order to keep the environment pristine.  Another spectacular experience is a helicopter flight over the reef.  If you are looking for a memorable marriage proposal, it can even be arranged to have “Will you marry me” carved into one of the nearby white sandy beaches as you fly over.

The restaurants and bars are endless and include seafood, steak, Asian and Australian fine cuisine. Every meal we had was greeted with great service and highly recommendable food.
A bonus to keep in mind when planning your trip is that when you stay a minimum of 4 nights, you automatically receive breakfast daily.

If you are traveling with kids, there is so much to do. There are endless pools, the beach, watersports, a gymnasium, daily activities, diving, snorkeling, scenic flights, bushwalking tracks (for all fitness groups), a Koala Sanctuary and even a kids club! Kids under 14 years also stay and eat for free (based on kids meals at selected restaurants and times).

All in all we had a wonderful time and I am sure whilst the island can certainly sell itself, I have come away with a greater knowledge of how I can help you plan your trip to Hamilton Island.

Looking for a peaceful and romantic island getaway at a affordable price? Let me help you organise your special occasion on beautiful Brampton Island!

If you are looking for a honeymoon haven, a romantic escape or a relaxing getaway, Brampton is the place to visit. Surrounded by lush coral gardens, national park, crystal clear aqua waters, a dozen golden sand secluded beaches and many walking tracks, you too can experience the many treasures that I encountered.

LOCATION – Located at the southern end of the renowned Whitsunday’s, Brampton can be accessed via seaplane from Hamilton Island or launch/seaplane from Mackay.

I took the launch from Mackay Marina (which is about a 20 minute drive from Mackay airport). The transfer takes approximately 75 minutes and the boat is quite compact. If you are a bit claustrophobic or if you do get sea sick, I would recommend the seaplane. Not only do you avoid any rough sea conditions, the view is exceptional over the beautiful coral cays. It is definitely a great way to begin or end your Brampton experience.

The Palm Rooms are the standard room type and are perfect for those who are on a more economical budget and aren't too fussed by a view.  You are still offered a lovely tropical foliage outlook.

The Island Rooms are well located and offer a lovely ocean view but apart from the outlook there is not much difference between these and the Palm rooms.

The Premium Ocean Views are beautiful with luxurious furnishings and are situated along the beachfront.  The views are breathtaking and offer little extras like a private hammock, turn down service and champagne on arrival - this is a truly romantic and tranquil setting.

There really is so much more to offer than you think and you can involve yourself in as much or as little as you want. If you want to relax on a beach chair under a coconut palm you can, if you want to engage in watersport adventures or if you want to hide from the other guests and spend some time alone with that special someone, then Brampton can accommodate all of your wishes!

There are watersports such as jetsking, snorkeling, diving and even secluded beach picnics.

When you arrive, it is recommended once you settle in that you head over to the Waterports area located at the beachfront. Many of the activities are tide dependent, so you need to book early.

I was on the island for my birthday and really wanted to have a secluded beach picnic. Unfortunately, these were not running on my birthday so I was a little disappointed, however the watersports staff were so helpful providing us with other great options for the day. In the end we decided on a walk to the beautiful and secluded Dingy Bay.  When we arrived to our location, I just wanted to cry with excitement…nothing but the ultimate seclusion, crystal blue water and a long stretch of white sandy beach. We advised the staff of my special occasion and they even managed to pack me a surprise birthday cake! We took some snorkeling gear along for the trip and I am glad we did as we encountered the most amazing array of tropical fish. It was like being on our very own deserted Whitsunday Island.

As you can probably tell, I am quite a keen snorkeller. Whether you are experienced or not, snorkelling on Brampton is fabulous! Just metres off the main beach lies a small inlet the staff call the "Fish Bowl”. Here you can spot an amazing array of fish as well as turtles and stingrays. It was one of the best places I have snorkelled!

All non-motorised water sports and many island activities are included in your accommodation costing.

If you want to be pampered or surprise your special someone with a relaxing massage or that beautiful facial, then you must visit the Day Spa. There are endless treatments available but again, it is so important to book your appointment when you arrive to avoid disappointment.

FOOD FOOD & MORE FOOD! All of the meals were fantastic and the only complaint was that we put on a couple of kilos from too much indulgence!!  Depending on what package you book and how long you stay, there are different meal options from buffet breakfast daily to an all inclusive meal package.

Lunch is again buffet style and offers a scrumptious feast changing daily – such as Mediterranean, Asian, Seafood…just to name a few – my mouth is watering just thinking about it. There is even fruit, salads and for those with a sweet tooth like myself, a self-service ice-cream parlour!

Dinner again varies daily and there are several themed nights such as a beachside BBQ, Saturday night Seafood buffet or 3 course a la carte fusion.

Just when you think your dinner is over, you can continue with the nights festivities at the bar downstairs. Here you will find a range of tasteful and exciting cocktails, fine wines & brews with a smorgasbord of desserts.

The bar/lounge area livens up with nightly entertainment including a great singer taking requests for karaoke with your fellow guests. Outside you can relax and listen to the sea breeze under a palm tree or stroll along the beach back to your room.

If you are after that special & memorable experience than I would have no hesitation in recommending the beautiful SeaSalt Dinner.  It is an additional cost per head (more than worth it), but this is a dining experience not to be missed. The weather was a little miserable looking the night I booked and the staff were worried, but this did not stop us (or the other 4 couples) having the greatest night!  All 6 courses were delicious, accompanied by a great view, impeccable service and free flowing beverages!  It was romantic, but fun and sociable with the other couples as well.  Everyone left with a lovely smile on their faces.

I will also mention that whenever I spoke with the other guests, every single person raved at how great Brampton was and how they would recommend the island to their friends and family.  I did not hear one negative word throughout my stay.  Everyone was relaxed and very happy.

Another bonus is that Brampton does not cater to day-trippers.  So unlike other islands, yourself and fellow guests have exclusive use of the beaches and resort facilities.

All in all Brampton is affordable, secluded, romantic & beautiful. The island is gaining a name for itself as a sort after honeymoon destination and romantic interlude.

Feel free to contact me so I can help you experience the beauty and romance of Brampton Island like I did.