What it’s like to stay at Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

Credit: Eleanor Edstrom

Hamilton Island

26 Feb 2026

With knockout ocean views, diverse rooms and an enviable location, Reef View Hotel delivers a trifecta of high-calibre comfort. We check in.

It’s not every day a hotel elevator is worth bragging about. Ascending sky-high above the Whitsundays behind all-glass walls, I watch Catseye Beach fan out below in layers of palm fronds and turquoise water so vivid it looks plucked straight from a Gatorade commercial. With every floor, the vista becomes more breathtaking. The best part? You don’t need to book a penthouse suite to enjoy them. This unexpected highlight comes courtesy of a stay at Reef View Hotel , the tallest building on Hamilton Island.

Beloved among families and groups, Reef View opened in the 1990s and remains one of the island’s most popular places to stay. The high-rise hotel spans 19 floors and promises some of the island’s best vantage points (and photo ops) over Catseye Beach, while offering some of the more affordable hotel room rates on the island.

Where is Reef View Hotel?

Views from Reef View hamilton island — Views from Reef View Hotel. (Credit: Kara Rosenlund)

Reef View Hotel sits just across the road from Catseye Beach, placing guests right on the doorstep of Hamilton Island’s main activity hub. A short walk brings you to the Resort Centre, home to the tour desk, boutique stores and the family-friendly Main Pool, as well as some of the island’s most popular dining spots, including Coca Chu and Sails Restaurant.

The Resort Centre is also your gateway to the powdery white shores of Catseye Beach. Guests of Reef View Hotel have complimentary access to non-motorised watersports equipment including catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, SUP boards and snorkels, making it easy to get out and enjoy the beach’s dreamy blue waters.

Also in close walking distance from the hotel is the newly revamped HI Fitness Club, where we start one morning with a revitalising reformer Pilates class. Later, we wander over to nearby Hamilton Island Wildlife to get up close with iconic Aussie animals from snoozy koalas to a giant saltwater croc.

What is the style and character of Reef View Hotel?

reef lounge reef view hotel — Relax at the Reef Lounge. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)

As we pull up to the hotel entrance, framed by lush gardens, I’m immediately reminded of the easy breezy charm characteristic of tropical destinations like Fiji. The sight of adorable wallabies grazing on grass just metres away is an added delight.

Inside, the lobby hums with a bustling (this is clearly a hotspot for families and couples) yet laidback energy. While less boutique than some of the higher-end accommodations on Hamilton Island, the space has an easy confidence that caters to those seeking a fuss-free and comfortable modern stay. Expect a capacious, greenery-draped reception area with extensive lounge seating and tall windows flooding the space with light. The open-plan layout flows through to the Pool Terrace Restaurant, where we enjoy a buffet breakfast each morning. Also located on the reception floor is the Reef Lounge.

Check-in is an easy process, with warm and helpful reception staff. One staff member even tracked down a camera charger for me to borrow when I realised I had forgotten to pack one – a small gesture that made a big difference.

What are the rooms like at Reef View Hotel?

Coral Sea View Room reef view hotel — Coral Sea View Rooms are generously sized. (Credit: Lean Timms)

Reef View Hotel has four room and six suite categories, catering to the needs of all types of guests. Prefer a sea to a garden view? Check. Need accessible features? Not a problem. Looking for a budget-friendly room or a sleek and spacious penthouse? You’ll find both.

I’m staying in a Coral Sea View Room on the 6th floor. The room has two queen beds and is impressively spacious at 65 square metres, making it perfect for families. It also comes equipped with a bar fridge, television with casting capability, safe, ensuite and option for interconnecting rooms. Minimalist neutrals and blue tones pay homage to the coastal scenes beyond. But it’s really the turquoise views that steal the show.

One afternoon, a cheeky cockatoo comes and sits on my private balcony while I’m enjoying the vistas – before letting itself inside to investigate my belongings while I’m in the bathroom. (Hot tip: always shut the balcony door when you’re out and don’t leave snacks unattended.)

Further up on the highest floor of the hotel, I get a glimspe of the Superior Reef Suite. It’s a luxe, two-storey abode with a clean, residential feel. From the top-level bedroom to the lower-level living area and dual private balconies, the views over Catseye Beach are uninterrupted and unforgettable. And unlike many of the lower-floor rooms, it features a full kitchen and living space. It’s an ideal choice for guests seeking extra space and a touch of exclusivity.

What facilities does Reef View Hotel have?

reef view hotel facilities — Play a hit of tennis at Reef View Hotel. (Credit: Eleanor Edstrom)

Reef View Hotel Pool — Reef View Hotel's onsite pool. (Credit: Kara Rosenlund)

The arrivals and departures area is thoughtfully equipped with secure luggage lockers, showers and bathrooms – perfect for freshening up after a beach session. Complimentary shuttle transfers run to and from Hamilton Island Airport and the marina.

Guests also have access to four pools across the island, including a 35-metre swimming pool onsite, with complimentary beach towels provided. Wellness facilities include a gym, spa, sauna and tennis court hire, making it easy to keep up healthy routines and feel your best self on holiday.

What is the dining like at Reef View Hotel?

reef view hotel restaurant — Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Pool Terrace. (Credit; Rhiannon Taylor)

Daily buffet breakfast at Pool Terrace restaurant is included for guests staying in suites, with a generous spread designed to suit all tastes. I love the zesty avocado smash on toast with hash browns, great selection of tropical fruit and chia pudding. While there’s plenty of food to go around, I’d recommend coming outside of peak time (8:00 to 9:30am) if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, as the restaurant can get busy.

Pool Terrace has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Beyond brekkie, it also dishes up lunchtime bites (think popcorn chicken, seared tuna salad and salt and pepper squid) and à la carte dinners ranging from lamb rump ratatouille to prawn linguine. As part of the Kids Stay & Eat Free offer, children 12 years and under can eat free from the kids’ menu when dining with their parents.

Also located on the hotel’s ground level is Reef Lounge. While still relaxed, this venue offers an elevated atmosphere and design that lends itself to morning coffees and pre-dinner drinks with friends before heading out to dinner. Classic cocktails pair with light antipasto plates and classic burgers.

Does Reef View Hotel have access for guests with disabilities?

Certain rooms at Reef View Hotel have been designed for accessibility needs, such as the Garden View Room with Accessible Features. Allowing for wheelchair access, it features a wide entry wardrobe and bathroom with a lowered basin and support rails.

Is Reef View Hotel family-friendly?

family at reef view hotel balcony — Making new friends at Reef View. (Credit:
Courtney Atkinson/AWOL Family)

I’d argue Reef View Hotel is not merely family-friendly but family-oriented. The hotel is designed so groups can spread out comfortably without feeling like they’re on top of each other, and the included extras – free shuttle transfers, watersports equipment and a vast breakfast buffet (bound to please even the fussiest of palates) – make travelling with kids noticeably easier. The hotel is also part of Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay & Eat Free offer.

The details

Best for: Families, friends or couples looking to spread out in large, comfortable rooms and locate themselves within arm’s length from the island’s hub of activities. While still four-star, the hotel is more affordable than many hotels on the island.

Address: 12 Resort Dr, Whitsundays QLD 4803

Price: from $450 per night

Website: Reef View Hotel

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.

See all articles

Hamilton Island

Inside Beach Club, Hamilton Island’s adults-only nirvana

Expect pared-back polish with a tropical lilt at this child-free haven of island escapism.

Hamilton Island

10 of the best Hamilton Island accommodation picks

Cool hideouts, beachfront hotels, five-star resorts and grand holiday homes shine bright amongst the stellar selection of Hamilton Island accommodation options.

A modern hotel room overlooking a tropical beach

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island’s new resort has Coral Sea views and free ice-cream

Evergreen editor Rachael Thompson checked into the first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island since 2007.

You haven’t heard of this Qld outback town, but history buffs can’t miss it

By Kassia Byrnes

09 Feb 2026

Continue

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.