Flights to Hamilton Island

What should I know before visiting Hamilton Island?

There are no cars on Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is a car-free island, so you won’t be able to catch a taxi or rent a car after arriving into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI). Instead, visitors with return flights to Hamilton Island can take advantage of a free island shuttle and golf buggies that are available to hire.

Make bookings in advance

The Whitsundays are a popular holiday destination, and tours can book out quickly. Lock in your spot for any guided tours or excursions a few weeks before catching your flights to Hamilton Island. If you book airfare to Hamilton Island during peak times such as winter and summer holidays, you may want to make restaurant bookings early too.

Download the official Hamilton Island app

While holidaying on flights to Hamilton Island, download the island’s official app to add a level of ease to your trip. The app allows visitors to check shuttle schedules, information on island events, and restaurant availability. It also includes several audio guides to accompany your visits to various attractions.

What can you do in Hamilton Island over the weekend?

Enjoy water sports at Catseye Beach

Catseye Beach is one of the most scenic spots to visit when you book cheap flights to Hamilton Island. The sandy beach is based on the resort side of the island, making it easily accessible from most hotels. Relax in the sand admiring the view, or get active with various water sports. Rent a paddle board, kayak, or snorkelling gear and explore the colourful fringing reef located just offshore. See the best spots of the reef between your return flights to Hamilton Island by booking onto a guided snorkelling tour that leaves from Catseye Beach.

Sail around the Whitsunday islands

Snorkelling and diving is one way to explore the Great Barrier Reef around the Whitsundays, and taking a boat ride is another. While holidaying on flights to Hamilton Island, book onto a sailing tour to see the reef from a new perspective. There are a variety of tours available, including glass-bottom boats, liveaboard sailboats, and speed boat tours around the islands. Explore the reef from above, or visit some of the Whitsundays’ other top attractions like Whitehaven Beach and Hook Island. If you’re looking for a romantic or extra special option, consider taking a sunset dinner cruise while holidaying on flights to Hamilton Island.

Hike to a secluded beach

While the western side of Hamilton Island is primarily home to resorts and the airport, the island’s eastern half consists mainly of hills, hidden beaches, and walking trails. If you don’t want to venture too far, walk along the Scenic Trail from Catseye Beach. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with a small beach called Hideaway Bay where you can relax away from the crowds. If you’re up for an adventure, put on some sturdy shoes and make the journey to Coral Cove or Escape Beach. The trails to each of these beaches are about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from the resort portion of the island. Head to these spots between return flights to Hamilton Island to feel as if you have your own private beach.

What is the cost of visiting Hamilton Island?

As soon as you book plane tickets to Hamilton Island, start accounting for the often pricey, but once-in-a-lifetime, opportunities available there. Given Hamilton Island’s size, there are only a few accommodation options to choose from, with rooms starting from about $300 to $450 AUD per night. After booking airfare to Hamilton Island, reserve your hotel with Webjet for the best rates.

A free island shuttle is available to use while holidaying on cheap flights to Hamilton Island. If you’d like to travel in style though, consider renting a golf buggy to get around. Golf buggy rentals start from $59 AUD for a two-hour period, or upgrade to a 24-hour hire for $87 AUD. Some accommodation options include a golf buggy per room in their rates.

When it comes to food and drink, there are options available for every budget. Casual cafes and takeaway shops can typically charge between $12 and $20 AUD for a meal. Of course, there are also plenty of high-end restaurants to visit while holidaying on flights to Hamilton Island. Expect to pay about $50 AUD for a main at one of the island’s upscale restaurants.

Activities and excursions are things that will take your holiday from good to unforgettable. After booking tickets to Hamilton Island, start planning which activities you want to take part in. A full-day snorkelling tour costs about $245 AUD, and a helicopter tour over the Whitsundays can start from about $330 per person. Golfing is another popular activity to take part in while holidaying on cheap flights to Hamilton Island. Tee off for $110 AUD for nine holes or $160 AUD for 18 holes.