Travelling to Hamilton Island
Whether you plan on arriving by plane, helicopter, boat, ferry or a private yacht, there are several hassle-free ways to get to and from Hamilton Island.
Commercial flights
The only Whitsundays Island with its own commercial airport, Hamilton Island Airport services direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas.
Private flights
Hamilton Island Air will be offering air transfers from Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and Whitsunday Airport (Shute Harbour) direct to Hamilton Island. For more information and bookings, please visit www.hamiltonislandair.com.
Private charter flights can be organised from anywhere in Australia. Contact Hamilton Island Airport via email for more information.
Ferry
Ferries cruise to Hamilton Island throughout the day from Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour on the mainland. Long term parking is available at the Port of Airlie terminals, as well as other parking within the precinct.
If you’re travelling to Hamilton Island from Brisbane, Townsville or Cairns, coaches run to Airlie Beach, and arrive at the Port of Airlie transport terminal, right at the Port of Airlie ferry departure point.
The Spirit of Queensland runs five times a week return from Brisbane to Cairns, to Proserpine, with coach connections to the Port of Airlie and the Hamilton Island ferry. For more information please visit www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au or call 1800 872 467.
The 1,100km drive north from Brisbane to Shute Harbour takes around 12 hours non-stop. Follow the Bruce Highway to Proserpine, then take the exit to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour on the coast. Long term parking is available at the Shute Harbour & Port of Airlie terminals, as well as other parking within the precinct.
Passenger Ferries
Cruise Whitsundays is operating a limited ferry service to Hamilton Island Monday to Friday, departing Shute Harbour at 6.30am and 4pm. Tickets can be purchased on board the vessel for the day of travel. For Cruise Whitsundays information and updates, please visit www.cruisewhitsundays.com/island-transfers/.
Passenger ferry services operate from the Hamilton Island Marina. The 60 minute ferry trip from Airlie Beach departs from two convenient locations at either Port Of Airlie Marina or Shute Harbour (just south of Airlie Beach), with more than a dozen services throughout the day.
Tour operators offering excursions to Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef and other Whitsunday Islands also depart from the marina.
You can view the Cruise Whitsundays Ferry Timetable between Hamilton Island and the mainland online, or you can call (07) 4846 7000 or email info@cruisewhitsundays.com
Private Boats
Yachties sailing to Hamilton Island will find a welcoming berth at the Hamilton Island Marina, which provides comprehensive boatyard services including quality provisioning, fuel supply, full chandlery as well as access to resort facilities such as world class spa, restaurants and shopping
To contact the Marina team please call 07 4946 8353, email marina@hamiltonisland.com.au or to book a berth simply complete the Online Marina booking request form
Day visitors and can radio through on arrival on VHF Ch 68.
Please click here for Hamilton Island Marina Information
Parking in Airlie Beach
For those who are travelling to Hamilton Island via ferry for a day trip or holiday, there are a number of places to park at Airlie Beach. There is free parking in the region which is often patrolled, as well as a handful of paid parking areas, conveniently located near the Airlie Beach Main Street and in the Airlie Beach area. The closest parking stations to Port of Airlie are below and the prices are an indication only.
Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal Car Park: $3 for 2 hours, $5 for 2-4 hours, $8 for 4-12 hours, $10 for 12-24 hours or $10 per day.
Port of Airlie Car Park: $7 for 2-4 hours, $11 for 4-12 hours and $16 for 12-24 hours.