Festivals and Celebrations in Hamilton Island

Summer Festivals of Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island sees a grand festivity in the time of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Christmas and New Year’s celebration comes under the summer festivals of Hamilton Island. The island sees thronging crowds with families having the fun of their lifetime.  During this time, the schools remain closed. Right from the middle of December to the middle of January, festivities continue adding special colours to the Hamilton Island air.
Hamilton Island Summer festival is a gala affair. The resident musicians present live entertainment during the festival days. These musicians perform all through the year in various island bars, by the side of resort pools and in the various restaurants.
Christmas is celebrated with the accompaniment of carols sung with burning candles under the starry Whitsunday open skies. The New Year’s Eve celebrations have the folks spill into the streets dancing and merrymaking. Classic hit music and modern pop songs are usually played. A lot of fun activities are also arranged specially for the kids. Quad bikes, magic shows, beach sports, cookie decoration, face painting are some of the primary attractions for the kids.

Golf championships  
Hamilton Island hosts a bevy of professional golf championships all through the year. In the year 2013, it hosted the national final of the PGA Professionals Championship at the Hamilton Island Golf Club, from 14-17 October. Apart for the professional championships, Hamilton Island also hosts amateur golf championships.

Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon and Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim 
In the year 2013, Hamilton Island also saw the proud hosting of the Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon and Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim. There would be a host of five challenging events held during this event ranging over a period of two days. The primary category of events was listed in their official website and are as follows:

  • Hamilton Island Triathlon
  • Junior Hamilton Island Triathlon
  • Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim
  • Junior Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim
  • The Dent Dash

The Whitsunday Triathlon experience would include the following:

  • 750 meters swim in the picturesque Catseye Bay 
  • 20 kilometres cycling that includes the tracks through the unique airport runway section
  • 5 kilometres run through the island’s Marina Village to a beach-side finish 

The Junior Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon is open to children in the age group of 14 and under. This event comprises activities like fun swimming, biking and running around the Hamilton Island village.
For the ocean swim, the participants embark upon a picturesque cruise to the famous Whitehaven Beach. This beach comes under the category of world’s finest beaches. It is located in the backdrop of the mesmerizing Great Barrier Reef. The swim is in two categories of 2 kilometres and 750 metres. For children aged 13 years and less, it is 350 metres ocean swim. The event is not a mere competition as a lot of fun-filled activities are arranged side by side to provide the spectators and the participants the most wonderful experience ever.

Australian Ballet on Hamilton Island
qualia is by far the most well known and most luxurious Whitsunday hotel. It occupies the supreme most position in all of Australia. It is located on the northern tip of Hamilton Island. The serene secluded atmosphere lends it a unique charm.
The lovers and patrons of art and culture can have their senses filled with the mesmerizing experience of Australian Ballet. The Australian Ballet performs in qualia and offers a treat for the art lovers with an exclusive weekend of ‘pas de deux in paradise.’ It is all performed in the backdrop of the exotic Whitsunday sky, amidst the ultra-luxury of qualia. The year 2013 saw the sixth year of performance by the famous ballet troupe. The spectators also enjoy the “behind the scene” activities. The combined effect of the open-air stage, the enthralling ballet performance, the magnetic starry Whitsunday night sky is enchanting for which people rush to Hamilton Island from all over the world.

Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon  
Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon is an event of long-distance run. The next run has been scheduled for the year 2014. People gather to cheer the participants on this annual Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon. This event is generally held in the month of May each year. The undulating terrain of the Hamilton Island has trails and roads along with a mix of fire trails and walking tracks that the marathon runners cover during this event. The challenging Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon follows road, fire trails and walking tracks through Hamilton Island’s undulating interior. The 21 kilometres run follows up and down the rugged island trails. Individual races as well as the team relay races of three participants covering seven kilometres each are held. Moreover, special fun races that are not as difficult are arranged for children to participate.

Gatorade Clash of the Paddles
This is a major event drawing in a lot of participants and spectators from all across the world. It was formerly known as the annual Hamilton Cup. This event is considered the world’s toughest outrigger canoe racing event. The Gatorade Clash of the Paddles is spread over four days. The competitive outriggers participate along with athletes from four different popular paddle disciplines such as Surf Ski, Dragon Boating, Stand-Up Paddling and Board Paddling. A milieu of paddling activity offers a viable excitement.

The amalgamation of races includes the following variety:

  • Downwind surf ski races are open to junior, open and masters categories. This also includes a special long-distance course from Lindeman Island to Hamilton Island’s Catseye Bay.
  • Sprint Stand-Up (SUP) courses are open to all the three junior, open and masters categories.
  • Board paddling races are arranged for junior, open and masters categories.
  • The spectacular sprint, medium-distance and marathon outrigger and dragon boating races that are arranged offers a lot of excitement.
  • The very famous 42 kilometre long outrigger marathon provides a spectacular show.

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 
This event is considered Australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta. Spectators and yacht sailors from around the globe pour into Hamilton Island to participate in the annual Hamilton Island Race Week. This event is one of Australia’s most famous yachting events and fans inevitably wait for this sailing event every year. This is a gala family affair and contestants along with bunches of enthusiastic spectators flock in to enjoy this fanfare and regalia, the hustle and bustle of the huge on-water and off-water carnival.

Racing is categorized on the basis of expertise. There is organized a Grand Prix class meant for the top-class racers. There is also the IRC Passage class for modern fast-cruising yachts. Also, people love the performance racing and sports boat classes. The cruising, corporate, bareboat and non-spinnaker divisions form the other attractions. The Superyacht and SB3 divisions have been added recently to add sparkle to the show.

The venue is usually the Hamilton Island Yacht Club and marina where all the fun and excitement of the regatta are concentrated. To add to the spectacle, gourmet meals prepared by celebrity chefs are served. Evenings see the glitzy fashion shows. Golf enthusiasts find solace in the several golfing competitions held during the parallel yachting events and wine lovers indulge in an array of wine tastings.

The Great Whitehaven Beach Run
This event can be divided in two different categories. First, there is the soft-sand running and then there is the pristine silica sand marathon run. These events give all enthusiasts an opportunity to test their stamina and physical fitness.
 For the brave hearts there is the 21 kilometre challenge and for the lesser ones there is the 10 kilometre race. There are events that involve team performances and there is also a lot of fun arranged for the kids. And of course for those who would simply love to enjoy without any substantial hard work, there are the pristine sandy beaches bubbling with sizzling activities for you to laze around and simply be a spectator.