Hamilton Island is a unique island built for the extra sensory pleasures of the tourists flocking from all across the world. It is unique because among all other islands of Whitsunday collection only Hamiltom Island has been set aside exclusively for tourism.
Hamilton Island is by far the largest of the Whitsunday Island resorts. The popularity of this island creeps from the unique blend of diverse features. It provides the tourists a rich and heavenly experience of pristine beaches, beautiful coral reefs, mix of diverse flora and fauna, food and wines and a wide option of activities starting from whale spotting, experiencing the unique yacht racing or one of those many annual festivities to simply lazing out in the beaches or enjoying the sea and sand.
Seventy per cent of the total island area is covered by bush land or national parks. That gives ample opportunity for the nature lovers to be one with nature. The world-class facilities that have recently come up such as the Hamilton Island Golf Club, the architectural marvel contained in the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Spa Wumurdaylin and an array of luxury hotels and resorts give this island a fresh lease of prominence and attraction.
The exclusive holiday packages and the incessant promotional activities have brought this island under the sharper gaze of the world and people have started eyeing this island as a luxury blended with sensory experience. Gradually as the island is gaining prominence, it has started being inhabited by a growing number of populace. Various lucrative business opportunities are cropping up as well as the number of people choosing this island as a retirement haven is increasing day by day.
Contribution of the Oatley Family in promoting tourism in the island
The Oatley family has acquired this island from the Commonwealth Government by entering into a long term lease. Most of the Hamilton Island Enterprises are run and managed by the Oatleys. These enterprises take care of all the accommodation and business needs of the island
Main Tourists attractions of Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is by far the largest of the Whitsunday Island resorts. The popularity of this island creeps from the unique blend of diverse features. It provides the tourists a rich and heavenly experience of pristine beaches, beautiful coral reefs, mix of diverse flora and fauna, food and wines and a wide option of activities starting from whale spotting, experiencing the unique yacht racing or one of those many annual festivities to simply lazing out in the beaches or enjoying the sea and sand.
Seventy per cent of the total island area is covered by bush land or national parks. That gives ample opportunity for the nature lovers to be one with nature. The world-class facilities that have recently come up such as the Hamilton Island Golf Club, the architectural marvel contained in the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Spa Wumurdaylin and an array of luxury hotels and resorts give this island a fresh lease of prominence and attraction.
The exclusive holiday packages and the incessant promotional activities have brought this island under the sharper gaze of the world and people have started eyeing this island as a luxury blended with sensory experience. Gradually as the island is gaining prominence, it has started being inhabited by a growing number of populace. Various lucrative business opportunities are cropping up as well as the number of people choosing this island as a retirement haven is increasing day by day.
Contribution of the Oatley Family in promoting tourism in the island
The Oatley family has acquired this island from the Commonwealth Government by entering into a long term lease. Most of the Hamilton Island Enterprises are run and managed by the Oatleys. These enterprises take care of all the accommodation and business needs of the island
Main Tourists attractions of Hamilton Island
- Hamilton Island enjoys a unique advantage in possessing the only airport among the entire group of Whitsunday Islands that is capable enough to handle larger commercial aircrafts.
- Hamilton Island also enjoys exclusive ferry services that carry only passengers.
- Private transport needs of the island are catered to by a fleet of golf buggies. These buggies are available on rent for the tourists. Private vehicles are prohibited within the island premises except for business people. Among public transport facilities a public shuttle bus run in the island connecting the central points of attraction and the hotels and resorts.
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a hot tourist destination. It is dedicated to protect a large part of the unique Australian Great Barrier Reef from damaging activities. Fantasea, a famous Australian owned and operated tourism company conducts daily trips to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from Hamilton Island.
- A unique tourist attraction of Hamilton Island is migrating whale spotting as they journey through the warm coastal waters of the Whitsunday Islands during the months of July to September every year.
- Hamilton Island rose to greater prominence in 2009 when Tourism Queensland promoted Great Barrier Reef as a primary global tourist destination.
- The promotional activities included the launch of a website that lured interested candidates from all over the world to apply for “The Best Job in the World.” The job actually referred to be a “Caretaker of the Islands” to “house-sit” the islands of the Great Barrier Reef for six months annually. The promotions were all based on Hamilton Islands.
- The year 2009 saw the opening of Hamilton Island Yacht Club. This was opened by Queensland Premier, the famous Australian politician, Anna Bligh.
- David Hutchen in 1983 conceived the Hamilton Island Race week after he had shifted to this island for his yacht charter business. He prevailed upon the Hamilton Island owner Keith Williams to give his consent towards the hosting of this boat race in order to promote tourism and drawing media attention. This Hamilton Island Race week forms an interesting tourist attraction.
- The Hamilton Island Golf Club, the new Championship resort was also opened in August 2009. This Golf Club promotes the 18-hole championship. The layout of the course has been designed by the British Open Champion Peter Thomson and the five times British Open champion and Ross Perret. This Golf Club is set amidst the impressive natural beauty of the surrounding hills and escarpments overlooking the waterways of the Whitsunday Islands. It was opened by Anna Bligh and measures 6,715 yards or 6,140 metres. This golf course is the only championship island golf course in Australia and thereby very unique.
