How To Have The Perfect Family Holiday On Hamilton Island

It’s the dream of every parent: the perfect family holiday, where tears and complaints are left at home, replaced by smiles and squeals of excitement. Well, we reckon it’s achievable; all you need is a bangin’ Hamilton Island itinerary.

Arrive in style

Hamilton Island is one of the easiest Great Barrier Reef islands to get to, and there are options to suit every budget.

The most direct way is to fly to Hamilton Island Airport. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia offer flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

If flight times don’t suit or you want to see Airlie Beach on the mainland as well, book a flight to Whitsunday Coast Airport (also known as Proserpine Airport), and then get a shuttle or hire car for he 30-minute trip to Airlie.

You’ll then need to catch a ferry to Hamilton from Port of Airlie or Shute Harbour.

Settle into your hotel

Catseye Beach Hamilton island — The view of Catseye Beach from the Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options depending on the age of your children.

We can’t recommend Reef View Hotel highly enough, as it has everything from twin rooms to two-bedroom suites.

Twin room Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island — A twin room with Coral Sea views at the Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

There is also a large swimming pool and on-site restaurant that serves a great buffet breakfast.

Hamilton island Yacht Club Villas families — The self catering Hamilton Island Yacht Club villas are perfect for families

For somewhere quieter and suitable for self-catering, consider Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas or Palm Bungalows .

Bungalow exterior, Hamilton Island — The affordable Bungalows on Hamilton Island are idyllic island accommodation among palm trees, perfect for families.

If you have a teenager aged 16 or over and are keen to splash out, you won’t want to go past qualia , Hamilton Island’s most prestigious property, if not Australia’s!

qualia Windward pavilion bath — The sumptuous free standing bathtubs with a view of a Windward pavilion, qualia.

In the meantime, adult children (18 and over) and their parents will love the serenity of Beach Club .

Pool, Beach Club Hamilton Island — The infinity edge pool at Hamilton Island’s Beach Club overlooks Catseye Beach.

Buggy time

Now that you’re on Hamilton and bags are unpacked, it’s time to explore, and the best way to get around this car-free paradise is with a golf buggy.

Rest assured that when it comes to getting around with kids, no mode of transport will put bigger smiles on their adorable faces than these open-air vehicles.

Golf Buggy Hamilton Island — The roads on Hamilton Island are all designed for golf buggy transport

Book one with Hamilton Island Buggy Hire and be sure to request a child seat or capsule if you’re travelling with anyone under the age of four.

Enjoy lunch at Marina Village

Families are spoilt for choice when it comes to eateries at Marina Village but one place that will keep everyone happy is Marina Tavern .

Marina Tavern Lunch, Hamilton Island — The Marina Tavern on Hamilton Island serves up relaxed pub food.

Think generous pub meals in a laid-back atmosphere.

For focaccias, juices and barista coffee, chill out at Marina Café , where you’ll find plenty of other families enjoying the easy-going vibe.

A sweet treat

After lunch, pop into Hamilton Island Ice Cream Parlour (after all, it’s highly likely the kids have already spotted it).

All your classic flavours are available, along with double-dipped chocolate waffle cones, overloaded sundaes and milkshakes.

Beach time

Climb back into the buggy and make your next stop Catseye Beach , one of Hamilton’s main attractions.

Burn off lunch with an afternoon swim or call into Hamilton Island Beach Sports for water-sports fun.

Hire a catamaran, paddleboard, kayak, windsurfer or simply grab a mask, snorkel and flippers to explore the underwater treasures just off shore.

Out on the water

If you want an injection of adrenaline, there are a tonne of activities to suit all ages.

Family fun on the Great Barrier Reef. Float plane tours from Hamilton Island take you to a private slice of the Great Barrier Reef.

Hamilton Island Watersports, at Marina Village, can take you parasailing, with all children required to be accompanied by an adult, and kids as young as four allowed to join in the fun.

You’ll also have a hoot taking the kids tube riding, wakeboarding or water skiing, all of which are also offered by Hamilton Island Watersports and are offered daily.

If neither of those takes your fancy, there are also jet-ski, jet-boat, fishing and sailing tours.

Soak in the sunset

After all of that action, you’ve earned some down time and one of the best places to enjoy it is atop One Tree Hill .

One Tree Hill Sunset, Hamilton Island — Definitely do not leave Hamilton Island without enjoying at lease one sunset from the top of One Tree Hill.

Roll out a blanket and snuggle up as you soak in the views of the Whitsundays as the sky turns tangerine.

Parents can enjoy a glass of Champagne or cocktail from the bar, too.

Island dining

Before you fall asleep or are tempted by another beverage, take your buggy back down the hill to the marina for dinner.

TAKO Food Hamilton Island — TAKO at Hamilton Island’s marina serves Mexican shared plates.

For something a little different, grab a table at TAKO , where you can enjoy share plates of regional Mexican cuisine.

Try the signature dish, octopus taco, and don’t be shy to ask about the kids-stay-and-eat-free deal.

TAKO Interior Hamilton Island — Share Mexican food on the deck at Hamilton Island’s Tako restaurant Marina.

If you’re not a fan of Mexican, pull up a chair at Romano’s , where you’re guaranteed to find a pasta dish the kids can’t fault.

Romanos Hamilton Island Food — Romano’s home made pasta with bruschetta is served on the deck overlooking Hamilton Island’s Marina.

Or, if you’re there on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, unfurl your picnic rug at Marina Daze and chow down on a char-grilled barbecue while listening to live music. Bliss.

For the rest of your stay, all you need to do is eat, sleep and repeat.

Or, you can try some of Hamilton Island’s other fun-filled activities. Check out our family-friendly guide here.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

How to have the perfect family holiday on Hamilton Island