The best Hamilton Island hikes and walking trails

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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Explore the natural beauty of this iconic island on foot.

What better way to see the delights of Hamilton Island than on one of its many walking trails, which include popular new routes that zigzag across the island from Hideaway Bay in the north to Escape Beach in the south. The walks were created as part of an annual event on the island, they have proved so popular that they are now a permanent activity.

Visiting Hamilton Island? Here are the best hiking and walking trails that offer wide-open views of the beach, bush and nature.

Passage Peak

Distance: 2.7 kilometres

Grade 3: Challenging with many steps

Lace up your boots and set off before sunrise to climb to the top of Passage Peak, where a new viewing platform has been built at the high point of the walk to cater for those who want to see the break of day. The upgraded track is part of the Hamilton Island Icons Trail where, after pottering along the seaside path at the start of the Scenic Trail Entrance, walkers must carve off toward the northeast of the island to tackle the trail to Passage Peak. Download the Island app  and receive commentary along the way to The View from the lookout, which is the No.1 icon on the Icons Trail and the highest point on Hamilton Island.

Passage Peak walk Hamilton Island
Sunset views from the Passage Peak walk. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Saddle Junction

Distance: 1.8 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate walk

Enjoy a slow 30-minute amble up to Saddle Junction to get the heart racing before breakfast. The junction is where the Passage Peak, South East Head, Escape Beach, Middle Head and Coral Cove trails intersect, and if you walk for about 100 metres and hang a left, you will join the Flat Top Hill trail which leads to a viewing area that looks out over the watery world of the Whitsundays. Keep your eyes peeled for the Proserpine rock wallaby, which is native to the Whitsundays mainland and islands. BYO binoculars to look for whales and dolphins.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Proserpine rock wallaby. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Southeast Head Trail

Distance: 4.4 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate walk

The Icons Trail has opened up a side of the island that wasn’t previously accessible to visitors, making it a draw for travellers who want to work wellness into their holiday plans. Linger a bit longer at Southeast Head to take photographs at the Insta-friendly icon dubbed The Chair, which looks like it’s been left there after a giant’s dinner party. Want to burn off a few more calories? Include a walk to Passage Peak.

GIant chair Hamilton Island
Stop for a photo on The Chair.

Escape Beach Trail Walk

Distance: 12.4 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate walk

The Whitsunday Islands formed after the last glacial period (30,000 to 50,000 years ago) when the sea level rose, leaving the higher coastal peaks as islands. Admire the landscape as you loop along from the Scenic Trail Entrance through Saddle Junction and onto Escape Beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy on the beach, which is protected by huge rocky outcrops. Snap a selfie in the Giant Hammock (icon No. 3) as gentle waves kiss the sand.

Escape Beach
Enjoy a refreshing dip at Escape Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Coral Cove

Distance: 3.1 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate

Start at the Scenic Trail Entrance and head to Saddle Junction before meandering through a forested section and completing the circuit to Coral Cove, where you will find a biscuit-hued beach featuring a Giant Swing (Icon No. 4) and more stirring scenery. On a clear day, the beach boasts views of Lindeman Island, which rears up out of the ocean. Stay, sway and play all day as it’s likely you will have this stretch of sand to yourself.

 

Giant Swing Hamilton Island
This biscuit-hued beach features a Giant Swing.

Flat Top Hill Lookout

Distance: 1.2 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate

Like the eighties haircut of the same name, Flat Top Hill levels out at the very top of the trail, which starts from the Resort Trail entrance outside the Reef View Hotel . Look out for sea birds when you reach the lookout at Flat Top Hill, where you will see a series of lovely beaches and bays to the island’s north and south. Download the map  of the walking trails to help you find the Resort Lookout Trail entrance. Head to One-Tree Hill for a cocktail  to take selfies of your silhouettes and the sun setting over Daydream Island and the mainland beyond.

 

Flat Top Hill Hamilton Island
Views from Flat Top Hill.

Resort Lookout

Distance: 1.7 kilometres

Grade 3: Moderate

The view from the Resort Lookout is spectacular whatever the weather. When it’s blue-on-blue, it’s hard to tell where the sea ends and the sky begins. But even if the sky is bruised, black and blue, and heavy with storm clouds, you should don your wet weather gear and soldier on as the views from the second-highest point on Hamilton Island are spectacular. Follow the path through the Whitsunday bushland to the Resort Lookout which is one of the more well-trodden walks in the Whitsundays. The lookout drops off to sheer cliffs and allows an excellent panoramic view of Hamilton Island and a great vantage point for sightings of sea birds and marine life.

Rest your head at one of the top Hamilton Island accommodations.

 

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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8 experiences that make Moreton Bay the best getaway

    Rachel LayBy Rachel Lay
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    From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

    Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

    Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

    1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

    G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience
    Explore Bribie Island with G’Day Adventure Tours.

    G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

    Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

    End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

    2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

    Morgan’s Seafood
    It doesn’t get fresher than Morgan’s Seafood. (Image: Ezra Patchett)

    Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

    Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

    3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

    woorim beach bribie island
    Hang 10, or relax, on Woorim Beach.

    On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

    Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

    4. D’Aguilar National Park

    D’Aguilar National Park
    Admire the landscapes of D’Aguilar National Park.

    D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

    Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

    5. Arcade Wine Bar

    arcade wine bar moreton bay
    Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

    Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

    Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

    Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

    6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

    Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

    Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

    7. Farm Visits

    Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

    At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

    8. Miss Sprinkles

    Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay
    Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

    An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

    The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine.  Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

    To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.