The best family accommodation on Hamilton Island for a perfect holiday

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Lagoon-style pools and dining extravaganzas extend to visitors of all ages thanks to the wonderful assortment of Hamilton Island family accommodation options.

Figured your holidays were limited to worn-out bunk beds and suspiciously coloured kiddie pools? That’s not the case here. Hamilton Island family accommodation is as diverse as The Whitsundays’ fantastical marine life. Encompassing contemporary design, out-of-the-box activities, easy access to inspired meals for all taste buds and a level of luxury typically reserved for grown-ups, the options will keep families smiling right up until that dreaded check-out.

1. The Sundays

two wine glasses on the table of the suite's balcony at The Sundays, Hamilton Island
Take in idyllic Catseye Bay views from the comfort of your private balcony. (Image: Lean Timms)

Price: $$$$

Pencil in April 24, 2025, when The Sundays finally begins welcoming eager guests into its impeccably stylish embrace. Taking over the site of one of the island’s first stays, Allamanda Lodge built in the 1980s, The Sundays is a 59-room Hamilton Island family accommodation pick designed with multi-generational guests and luxury in mind. The rooms are modern and sleek, all with a large freestanding bath and spectacular Catseye Bay views. Don’t miss the genius Ice Cream Happy Hour, too, serving as an alternative to your traditional turn-down service and inviting kids of all ages to indulge in a complimentary cone or cup with a scoop or two. There are also baby essentials, including port-a-cots and prams, available on-site, ensuring your entire clan is tended to from start to finish.

Other inclusions: Daily breakfast, return airport or marina transfers, use of the private hotel pool, cabanas and sun lounges, and use of water sports equipment including snorkels and flippers, catamarans, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards

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2. Reef View Hotel

the king coral sea view room at Reef View Hotel
Each suite offers panoramic views of the Coral Sea. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Price: $$$

Offering four unique room types and seven styles of suites, each treated to shimmering Coral Sea and Catseye Bay views, Reef View Hotel is an easy yes when it comes to comfortable Hamilton Island family accommodation. The bustling hot spot features modern and clean studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-level options in addition to the spectacular Superior Presidential Suite. Our pick of the bunch for families travelling with kids? The Reef Family Room sleeps up to six via two queen beds plus a separate junior room with two single beds and a private balcony.

A glorious 35-metre swimming pool will provide even more entertainment, as will the breezy on-site Pool Terrace restaurant which serves a buffet breakfast, light lunch options and an à la carte dinner menu. There’s also a more casual lounge to discover if you’re looking for a quick bite before returning to dreamy exploration.

Other inclusions: Use of the Island Shuttle, breakfast with each Suite booking, return airport or marina transfers, use of a gym, spa, sauna and tennis court, wi-fi and access to Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay & Eat Free program, use of catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling gear

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3. Hamilton Island Holiday Homes

Hamilton Island family accommodation
The six-bedroom ‘The Villa’ is a chic stay for families. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Price: $$$-$$$$$

There are plenty of relaxed Hamilton Island family accommodation gems on offer thanks to the guys at Hamilton Island Holiday Homes , all of which feature large living spaces fit for quality down time. A range of houses, apartments and villas feature comfortable sleeping arrangements for anywhere between four to more than a dozen guests, with many offering a complimentary electric golf buggy and some treated to private pools.

For families travelling on a budget, take advantage of the accommodation group’s Stay 7 Nights, Pay 6 deal to help extend your break further without splashing out too extravagantly. The Edge 1 is a stellar three-bedroom choice that sleeps up to eight guests and features a lavish parent’s retreat for when the kids hit the hay.

For a more affordable take, book one of three The Anchorage rooms with access to the resort’s lagoon-style pool, lush tropical gardens and a complimentary golf buggy per booking.

If you’re looking to splash out, the chic The Villa offers six bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, spectacular views of Catseye Beach, multiple living areas, an inviting open-plan layout and large pool and outdoor entertaining area.

Other inclusions: Access to Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay & Eat Free program, use of non-motorised water sporting equipment from the Hamilton Island Beach Sports hut on Catseye Beach, wi-fi and a Home Essentials Starter Pack including dishwashing tablets and liquid, laundry powder and bin liners.

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4. Palm Bungalows

the Palm Bungalows, Hamilton Island family accommodation
Palm Bungalows is set in a relaxed, tropical garden setting. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Price: $$$

For a family-friendly oasis without a hefty price tag, make a reservation at Palm Bungalows , just a short stroll from Catseye Beach. The Hamilton Island family accommodation features rooms fitted with king beds, kitchenettes, bar fridges and microwaves, plus tea and coffee-making facilities.

Built amid lush gardens, the inviting digs will help you quickly feel at home. The decor is all warm timber and minimalistic white, while hammocks hang from private balconies. Kangaroos also frequent the large front lawn, adding further incentive to book this place for animal-loving youngsters. And if it’s wildlife you know they’re keen on, Palm Bungalows is right across the road from Hamilton Island Wildlife so there’s no need for a pram. Win.

Other inclusions: Return airport or marina transfers, use of water sports equipment, use of the Island Shuttle, access to a gym, spa, sauna and tennis court, wi-fi and access to Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay & Eat Free program.

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5. Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas

a waterfront villa at Hamilton Island Yacht Club
Treat your family to a luxe waterfront stay at Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas. (Image: Anson Smart)

Price: $$$$$

If you sprout tiny tots accustomed to the high life, check into the impeccable Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas . As the name suggests, this waterfront Hamilton Island family accommodation, located a short stroll away from the marina and right next to the architecturally astounding Yacht Club, retains a serious sense of the high life all while gleeful little humans play comfortably throughout.

The villas are contemporary in style and perfectly poised on the hillside, with views of Dent Island Passage and passing sailboats. Each features four bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as access to a lagoon-style pool – they’re a great option to splurge on for multi-generational holidays and even multi-family getaways. Modern kitchens have also been built for luxurious self-catering, meaning you won’t need to cross your fingers in the hope of securing large tables at the island’s busy restaurants.

You can also request a cot and highchair if you’re travelling with the tiniest of bubs, while a private laundry will prove vital, as will being situated within walking distance to loads of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Other inclusions: Use of the Island Shuttle, access to catamarans, stand-up paddleboards, windsurfers and snorkelling gear, a welcome hamper filled with gourmet snacks and wine, wi-fi, up to two electric golf buggies, a mid-stay clean if you’re staying for five or more nights and beach towels.

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6. Qualia

the infinity pool with sea views at sunset, qualia
Admire views out across the ocean from the pool at qualia. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Price: $$$$$

If your kids are aged 16 or over, you can check into one of the 61 gorgeous pavilions at qualia , perched atop the island’s most northern part. The ultra-luxe Hamiton Island family accommodation is not typically viewed as child-friendly, but if your little ones aren’t so little anymore, this is your ultimate option.

The resort’s two pavilions, set in serene bushland and featuring world-class architecture, are fitted with beautifully appointed sundecks, stone-crafted bathrooms, hardwood polished floors and central heating. Some rooms come with their own private plunge pool while all rooms offer idyllic views.

For large families, the stay’s Beach House also beckons with its airy entertaining area, a ten-person dining table, a 12-metre private infinity pool and a separate guesthouse for family or friends to sleep in outside of the main house’s two elaborate bedrooms.

Other inclusions: A 24-hour private chauffeur service around the island, daily breakfast, golf buggy, all non-alcoholic beverages, return transfers to the airport or marina, use of the gym, spa, sauna and tennis court, wi-fi and use of non-motorised water sports.

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Discover the best things to do on Hamilton Island

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers
Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.