The Sundays Hamilton Island: Coral Sea views & free ice-cream

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

Designed to deliver an elevated holiday experience with families in mind, The Sundays is the first new hotel on Hamilton Island since the opening of qualia in 2007. With contemporary spaces that echo the island’s surroundings, a world-class restaurant by renowned culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland and spectacular Coral Sea views, The Sundays has positioned itself as the new must-stay accommodation in The Whitsundays. It has successfully filled the gap for families who want a luxurious stay on Hamilton Island without compromising comfort or kid-friendly amenities.

Returning to the island two decades later offered a unique perspective on the island’s transformation, made all the more compelling by the debut of this highly anticipated resort.

Location

View over the pool to Catseye Bay from The Sundays Hamilton Island. — The Sundays looks across Catseye Bay.

The Sundays is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef on the reef’s most iconic island, Hamilton Island. The resort sits on the arc of white sand, at the northern end of Catseye Beach.

Hamilton Island is the most accessible and commercially serviced island in the Whitsundays, with direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, plus convenient boat transfers from the Queensland mainland. The Sundays is a 15-minute walk from Hamilton Island Airport, or a few minutes drive with return shuttle bus transfers to and from Hamilton Island Airport and Marina are included with all bookings.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with great bars and eateries, scenic walking tracks, beautiful beaches and a year-round average temperature of 27°C. The island is also a prime launching point for two of the region’s must-do experiences: Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.

Find out everything you need to know before visiting the island in our guide.

Style and character

The modern coastal foyer at The Sundays Hamilton Island. — Common spaces are breezy and channel relaxed coastal vibes.

The Sundays occupies the site of the first Hamilton Island hotel, the Hamilton Island Palm Terrace Hotel, which first opened in 1990. Where a dated property once stood, there is now a breezy, modern resort featuring contemporary rooms that open to Coral Sea views.

Designer Carrie Williams was called upon to infuse the accommodation with laid-back tropical vibes. Drawing inspiration from the island’s natural surroundings, she created interiors that feel both relaxed and refined, using natural textures and a Whitsundays-inspired palette of cool aquas, lush greens, sand-toned floor tiles and blonde timber furniture.

The Sundays partnered with young First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg from the Kuku Yalanji/Kuku Nyungkul Warra people, whose large colourful works make a statement throughout the public areas, with smaller pieces elevating the guestrooms.

Facilities

The Coral Sea view from Catseye Pool Club. — Catseye Pool Club is helmed by renowned chef Josh Niland.

At The Sundays, every detail has been curated to feel like an indulgent escape – from the world-class restaurant to the sparkling swimming pool.

The Sundays is focused on delivering against the challenges and realities of family holidays via some practical but thoughtful services and amenities that set it apart from other accommodations. The deck area has magnificent views of the entire bay and sea, and also serves as a stage for kids’ activities like movie nights and family morning yoga. Poolside private cabanas feature family-sized day beds and amenities that allow one to spend a relaxing day soaking up the views and holiday vibes. The Ice Cream Happy Hour is a hit, offering an alternative to a turn-down service, where kids and families are offered a complimentary cone or cup with a scoop or two – kids will delight at seeing the small gold coin used to pay for the ice-cream scoop that appears in your room each day.

Complimentary transport around the Island makes things smooth, while complimentary non-motorised watersports, including stand-up paddleboards, catamarans, kayaks and snorkelling equipment, will keep active ones entertained.

Prams, cots and the whole accoutrements that a family may need are on hand.

Rooms

A sliding window looking out the balcony with Coral Sea views. — Soak up stunning water views from your room.

59 generously-sized rooms (including eight family connecting rooms and three accessible rooms) make way for sparkling Coral Sea views. A sliding window separates the bathroom from the living area and can be drawn back to reveal the palms and Catseye Beach. Every bathroom features a freestanding bath with bath salts – the perfect way to end your day. There are also luxurious Leif hair and body products, robes, umbrellas and yoga mats,

Each room includes a large balcony or terrace to make the most of the view and enjoy the fresh coastal. I stayed in one of the terrace rooms, which open onto the grass, offering easy access to the restaurant and pool. If your priority is a fabulous view, opt for one of the balcony rooms with beds that face the sea. Kitchenettes with sinks DeLonghi kettles/coffee machines, and microwaves are particularly useful for young families.

The Sundays Hamilton Island bathroom with a freestanding bath. — Every room has an indulgent freestanding bath.

I was pleased to find how carefully considered the mini-bar was, offering a range of treats I indulge in at home. Tony’s Chocolonely, Cobs popcorn, FUNDAY lollies, Kettle chips, corn chips and salsa, The Everleigh Bottling Co’s pre-made cocktails, Charles Heidsieck (the island’s preferred Champagne) and juice. They were hard to resist, and frankly, I didn’t. Milklab milk – full cream, oat and almond – and T2 tea are complimentary.

Food and drink

A lobster and some bread rolls. — The restaurant’s menu appeals to both adults and children alike.

Hamilton Island was ready for a new dining experience, and Cateseye Pool Club has more than filled the gap. Helmed by Josh and Julie Niland, this restaurant unsurprisingly delivers big on flavour. Unlike the pair’s fine-dining Sydney restaurant Saint Peter, Catseye Pool Club offers a more approachable menu that appeals to a wider audience

Lounge by the pool while enjoying laid-back bites and punchy cocktails, including the refreshing house salad tossed with goat’s feta, avocado, tomato, radishes, gem lettuce, and mint or the satisfying souvas packed with garlic yoghurt, fries, tomato, onions and parsley.

Indoors, you’ll find a menu featuring a mix of local seafood, native ingredients and elevated comfort food in the form of share plates. Expect pillowy pizza bread, perfectly cooked coral trout, Tweed Heads Eastern Rock Lobster, grilled Elgin Valley chicken skewers and battered fried wild fish tacos with fermented pineapple hot sauce — the latter a standout I won’t forget anytime soon. The meal was perfectly rounded off with a raspberry and coconut trifle.

It’s worth noting that the menu heavily focuses on seafood and meat, with only a few vegetarian-friendly plates.

Ice cream at The Sundays Hamilton Island. — Enjoy a complimentary scoop of ice cream every day.

Breakfast is complimentary, and watching the sunrise while tucking into the best zucchini fritters I’ve ever eaten definitely put me in a good mood. Freshly baked pastries are also on the menu – I heard multiple people rave about the chocolate croissants.

Every day from 2-4pm, take your MerMoney gold coin down to the pool and treat yourself to complimentary scoops of ice cream.

Does The Sundays have access for guests with disabilities?

There are three rooms specifically designed to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.

Is The Sundays family-friendly?

The view from The Sundays swimming pool to the rooms. — The al fresco area features poolside private cabanas feature family-sized day beds.

Spacious connecting rooms, a kids’ club and family-friendly dining make The Sundays about as family-friendly as hotels get.

Details

Best for: Families

Address: 10 Palm Terrace Way, Whitsundays

Price: From $891 per night.

Discover the best things to do on the island while you’re there

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

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