15 of the best things to do on Hamilton Island

There are plenty more things to do on Hamilton Island than sip on cocktails and catch magnificent sunsets.

While lazing the day away in a beachfront hammock might be enough for some, there are so much enriching things to do in Hamilton Island. From action-packed day trips around the Whitsundays and spectacular hiking trails, to exquisite adults-only experiences and secluded swimming spots, there are surprises in store around every corner.

Here is our selection of the best things to do on Hamilton Island.

1. Embark on a cultural tour

a Cultural Island Discovery with Robbie Congoo tour on Hamilton Island — The Cultural Island Discovery with Robbie Congoo tour takes you through The Whitsundays to Hook Island. (Image: Lean Timms)

Uncover the island’s ancient roots aboard a Cultural Island Discovery with Robbie Congoo tour. Operated by the expert team at qualia, one of the most luxurious Hamilton Island accommodation offerings, the top thing to do in Hamilton Island was launched in January 2025, instantly endearing guests through its scenic motor yacht sweep of the Whitsunday Islands. Just add insightful rock paintings, commentary on native flora and fauna from Ngaro man and tour guide Robbie, and a champagne and canapé reception laced with native ingredients, and you’ve got a remarkable four-hour expedition you won’t forget any time soon.

2. Sink cold ones in palm-fringed beer gardens

the beer garden at The Palms, Hamilton Island — Unwind in the beer garden at The Palms. (Image: Hamilton Island Enterprises)

Forget faux grass and flimsy plastic chairs. On Hamilton Island, beer garden life is pure deluxe, with its outposts providing idyllic water views and warm sea breezes to tousle your hair. The newest in the fold is The Palms , unveiled in December 2024 and located right by the marina. Settle in for a string of slow-cooked meats and live music. There’s also the long-loved Bommie Deck over by the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, a glamorous scene that juts guests out over the water. Get there early enough to steal a seat at sundown when 50 shades of tangerine light up the sky.

3. Live like a star at Hamilton Island Race Week

a yacht sailing during the Hamilton Island Race Week — Come August, fast-cruising yachts sail to Hamilton Island for Hamilton Island Race Week.

Roping in an annual influx of hard-core yachties, Hamilton Island Race Week is filled with sensational events. Staged from August 16 to 23, 2025, this year’s celebration will mark 40 years around the sun, so you can expect even more rivalry (and elaborate shindigs) than ever before. As of April, more than 100 entries had registered their vessel, including a Californian-based JPK 11.8 and a first-generation TP52 from New Zealand. If that means nothing to you, you may be far more enticed by the likelihood of roaming margarita trucks, food stalls, mobile champagne and oyster carts and pop-up gin gardens — and that’s before the island’s top eateries unveil their own exclusive events. Trust us, it’s a scene you’ll struggle to part with.

4. Indulge in exceptional fine dining

the fine dining menu at Catseye Pool Club, Hamilton Island — Catseye Pool Club is the ultimate fine dining destination at The Sundays. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Speaking of Hamilton Island’s best restaurants, don’t miss ticking off your list next time you’re in town. The newest to set the island alight is Catseye Pool Club , located at The Sundays and serving as the first Sunshine State brainchild of Josh and Julie Niland of Sydney’s Saint Peter. Expect flavour bombs tickled with the freshest of local produce when doors open on April 24, 2025. Pebble Beach at qualia continues to dazzle at lunch, while Coca Chu on Catseye Beach is the place to go for big Asian flavours served alongside zesty cocktails.

5. Dabble in some retail therapy

The Deckhouse retail shop, Hamilton Island — Shop for jewellery and fashionable items at The Deckhouse. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

If you’ve brought along extra play money, seize the opportunity to refresh your holiday wardrobe. The Marina Shopping Village on Front Street offers a one-stop-shopping fix, featuring stores like SALT Swim and Resortwear stocking Kivari, Seafolly and Soleil Soleil, Hamilton Island Designs selling designer labels, and The Deckhouse offering up bougie sailing brands and labels including Scotch & Soda, Palm Noosa and Zulu & Zephyr.

6. Tackle stunning Hamilton Island hikes and walks

Things to do on Hamilton Island — Climb atop the three-metre-tall timber chair at the end of South East Head Trail. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Walking very far mightn’t be the first thing that comes to mind on Hamilton Island, but its trails and treks offers some of Australia’s most serene vantage points and bushland, which in fact make up 70 per cent of the Island. Fill a backpack with sunscreen and snacks to thoroughly explore a network of trails, including the beloved Passage Peak, sitting pretty at the highest point of Hamilton Island. Starting at the Scenic Trail entrance at the east end of Catseye Beach, it winds through sea grass and light forest before a steep flight of steps takes you to the top and 360-degree views of the Whitsundays await.

South East Head Trail’s grand finale offers another sight to behold – a three-metre-tall timber chair, crying out to be snapped for your holiday slide show.

Meanwhile, the Coral Cove walk follows its lead, steering you to its own main attraction: an enormous swing. Escape Beach’s trail presents its own oversized landmark in a giant hammock, rounding out some of the Island’s most likeable fodder for your social media feed.

7. Laze upon beautiful beaches and coves

Catseye Beach as seen from above, Hamilton Island — Catseye Beach is located in front of the biggest luxury resorts on Hamilton Island.

While Hamilton Island is famed for plenty of things to do, the star of the show is its collection of white sand-dusted coastlines, complete with the perfect spots to swim in. Catseye Beach is arguably the most unmissable pit stop on Hamilton Island. The action-packed main beach that fronts a large portion of accommodation options offers calm waters, dream paddleboarding, snorkelling, or just splashing around with little ones in tow. Plus, when it’s low tide, walking out across the flats amongst tiny, shuffling hermit crabs makes for a tranquil holiday memory.

8. Escape momentarily on an offshore tour

Whitsunday islands as seen from above — Zoom right over the tropical islands of The Whitsundays on a scenic flight.

Press pause on your beach meandering to take in one of Hamilton Island’s best day trips, which span scenic flights and catamaran runs throughout the Whitsunday Islands, snorkelling over the Great Barrier Reef,  fishing charters and picturesque sporting expeditions. A jet ski tour is guaranteed to set pulses racing; they run multiple times daily and last an hour. A breathtaking helicopter tour with Hamilton Island Air will offer an entirely different perspective as you zoom right over Catseye Beach and Coral Cove. Meanwhile, catamarans ride to the world-famous Reef via Cruise Whitsundays’ full-day adventure , or you can throw a line out confidently on board a Topnotch Game Fishing charter. There’s never a dull moment.

9. Take a dip in a lush Hamilton Island pool

an outdoor pool at Reef View Hotel — Cool off at the palm-fringed 35-metre pool at Reef View Hotel. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Great Barrier Reef’s dazzling blue waters surrounding Hamilton Island play a dream-like backdrop to an assortment of pools that beg to be enjoyed. There are the accommodation-specific beauties – such as those at Yacht Club Villas , a prime spot for watching the sunset over neighbouring Dent Island, Beach Club ’s infinity pool overlooking Catseye Beach, and the Reef View Hotel Pool measuring in at 35 metres. Then, there are the gems that invite everyone in. Main Pool is the largest swimming pool on the island and, with its free-form shape, offers space for kids to splash, chilled-out nooks and shady spots flanked by tropical gardens. There’s even a swim-up bar and live music sessions. The highly Instagrammable Sails Pool is located next to Sails Restaurant, with a view of Catseye Beach and swaying palm trees, while Bougainvillea Pool features an adjoining kids’ splash pool.

10. Make furry friends to snap selfies with

a koala smiling at the camera — Spot koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Riley Williams)

Offering remarkably up-close encounters with some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife, Hamilton Island Wildlife , is a great family activity. Located on the resort side of the island, it’s home to koalas, kangaroos, snakes, lizards, a larger-than-life crocodile, dingoes and more. Head over from 8am-4pm daily, and there’s an on-site cafe open from 7.30am. As a side note, keep your eyes peeled wherever you venture on Hamilton Island, as wallabies, goannas, sea eagles, kites, ospreys, sulphur-crested cockatoos and kookaburras roam free.

11. Keep the kids happy from morning to night

the Island Arcade on Hamilton Island — Try nine-pin bowling at the Island Arcade. (Image: Justin Blank)

A holiday haven for parents, Hamilton Island is filled with action-packed activities for families, including heart-stopping adventures on wheels, timeless boredom busters and games galore. Island Arcade is always a hit, with seven lanes and your chance to try nine-pin bowling, an old-school version that originated in the eleventh century. Bumpers and ramps are standing by to help littler ones. Additionally, an amusement arcade with skill testers and games is located right around the corner and directly in front of Sails Restaurant.

Go-kart racing is another smash hit, catering for kids of all ages. Younger ones can ride passenger-side with their parents but strap them in tight. You’ll likely reach speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour.

Don’t overlook the island’s quad bikes , available to children aged 6-14. A purpose-built track offers an adrenaline-filled 15-minute ride. There’s also mini golf , a maze of plants and palms providing all types of challenges and yet another guaranteed party starter.

12. Get active with a range of beach sports

Break up a morning sprawled on the sand with one or more of the beach activities up for grabs at Catseye Beach’s Hamilton Island Beach Sports hut, a must-visit located right by the Main Pool entrance. Windsurfing lessons, while you’re living the holiday dream, are a highlight, available through an experienced team ahead of venturing out yourself at high tide. There’s also snorkelling gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for you to take your time and soak up every inch of the serenity.

13. Combine views with unique adventures

ATV Tours with Offroad Adventure Tours, Hamilton Island — Experience a thrilling ATV ride with Offroad Adventure Tours. (Image: Hamilton Island Photography)

Secure an ultimate holiday selfie with two memorable activities that take in astonishing views of Hamilton Island and beyond. ATV Tours with Offroad Adventure Tours puts you in the driver’s seat on the road to discovery. A tour guide, who you can also get to drive if you’re feeling nervous, will escort you through the Island’s scenic trails, passing Coral Cove, to Resort Lookout, which sits almost as high as Passage Peak. Here, you’ll be immersed in 360-degree vistas of the Whitsundays.

All Saints Chapel is also worth a visit for so much more than its stained-glass windows, bell tower and immaculate white facade. Located on a hill, the chapel looks over Catseye Beach, offering a sweeping take on Hamilton Island’s most iconic views and perhaps your most peaceful holiday moments.

14. Ditch the kids for adult-friendly indulgences

Spa qualia on Hamilton Island — Seek serenity at Spa qualia. (Image: Lean Timms)

Strawberry swirl sunsets and palm-peppered horizons set the ultimate scene for grown-up fun, with indulgent spa treatments, elegant cocktail hours, electrifying sporting celebrations and plenty more to be discovered. Spa qualia puts the luxury resort’s name – a Latin word for a collection of deeper sensory experiences – into practice in truly tranquil surrounds. It offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials, holistic therapies, body therapies and couples’ treatments. Spa wumurdaylin is available to non-qualia guests and provides body scrubs and wraps, facials, massages and several packages.

Once you’re done beautifying, cocktail o’clock beckons. One Tree Hill , located on the other side of the Island, offers legendary Whitsunday views, early evening cocktails and cheese platters, all while the sky turns as peachy as your passionfruit Caprioska.

15. Kick back with a relaxed picnic spread

sunset views from One Tree Hill, Hamilton Island — Soak up spectacular sunset views from One Tree Hill.

While crowds armed with picnic baskets flock to One Tree Hill at sunset, Hamilton Island is spoiled with beautifully positioned picnic areas and barbecue locations. Barbecues are located on a big stretch of lawn on the marina, right near Manta Ray restaurant, and another can be found close to the duck pond. Both feature water views speckled with extravagant yachts belonging to the rich and famous.

Additionally, picnic sites with sturdy picnic tables have been built along many of the Island’s walking trails, including Passage Peak and those at Coral Cove and Escape Beach.

Planning a holiday to Hamilton Island? Read more travel tips in our guide to Hamilton Island.

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.