5 reasons I loved Hamilton Island’s Active Women’s Weekend

Normally when I’ve packed for a tropical getaway, my main concern is to ensure that I haven’t forgotten any of my bikinis or kaftans. It’s all about being organised for my intended days of poolside relaxing and evenings of sunsets with cocktails.
 
However, my recent trip to Hamilton Island was a little bit different… when my plane touched down on the tarmac, I found myself analyzing if I had incorporated enough active-wear into my baggage to sustain me for my time on the island.  
 
Let me explain… I’d been lucky enough to be signed up to participate in Hamilton Island’s Active Women’s Weekend. A weekend to celebrate health and fitness, bring like-minded women together and provide guests the opportunity to be inspired and learn from influential leaders in the field.
 
It was the first time the island had hosted the event and when I saw the itinerary I was thrilled to be involved. Health, fitness and free time (with a beach within 100m of my accommodation) all sounded like a fantastic idea to me!

Five reasons why Active Women's Weekend at Hamilton Island was exactly what I needed: 

1. The setting is a tropical island 

The stunning turquiose waters at the Hamilton Island Marina. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

As soon as I got off the plane I knew that Hamilton Island was the perfect location for this event. Landing in a holiday destination brings with it a special feeling. Everyone coming off the plane was laughing, smiling and excited to be there. Not your normal airport chaos and frazzled folks.

Palm trees are a welcome reminder that you’re away from the city. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

I could feel the stress of Sydney leave my body and I couldn’t help but smile. I’m not sure if it’s the warm tropical air, the sight of lush palm trees or the sparkling azure water that surrounds the island but the arrival changed my mindset from stressed out to chilled out.
 
Wonderfully, all the activities we undertook over the weekend also incorporated the tropical setting of Hamilton Island. From the sunset yoga looking out over the Whitsundays to the “Mother’s Day Classic” finishing on Catseye Beach, every part of the program transported us from our busy city lives to island life.

2. Meeting inspirational women  

Eloise demonstrates better techniques for running. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

 
I was amazed by the caliber of athletes our group got to spend time with. For instance, Olympic runner, Eloise Wellings took the running class and then we had a gym session with Olympic swimmer, Libby Trickett. The intimate group size meant we actually got to ask questions and have near one on one time with these amazing experts.  Best of all they were so friendly!  They gave us advice, helped us work on our individual technique and gave us the tools to go home and continue to improve.

A quick group photo after our strength training class at the Hamilton Island Sports Club.

The classes weren’t all physical in nature. We also got to sit in for some really engaging panel discussions with all the experts. Together these women had stories to share about motherhood, sisterhood, career, health, motivation and achievement at a high level. It was a chance to hear about their experiences and gain insights into the knowledge they had to share.

Eloise Wellings, Libby Trickett, Nicole Bunyon and Sarah Joyce at 'Chatter that matters'. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

 
Getting to learn about motivation, strategies around work/life balance and goal setting was an invaluable part of the weekend for me. It was also inspiring that everyone involved was so down to earth and really wanting other women to find the tools for success.

3. There was plenty of time to take advantage of all that Hamilton Island has to offer 

Paddle boarding on Catseye Beach. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

While the weekend’s program was definitely jam packed with lots of classes and talks, I was able to set my own agenda in the leisure time we had.  For me, that meant spending time with my partner, who had come along for the weekend too.

 
While I was off being an “active woman” he played golf, went on the jet-ski tour and hung out at the beach.  When I had free time we went hiking over to Coral Cove, swimming at Catseye Beach and tried out some of the water sports. I’d always wanted to learn how to paddle board and I couldn’t have asked for a better location to try it out! At night we watched sunsets (with a cheeky cocktail or two) and dined at an array of the fabulous restaurants on offer. 

Dinner with a view at TAKO restaurant. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

 
Other people I spoke to enjoyed having their families there for the weekend, some were solo and enjoying some much needed “me time” and others had bought a group of girlfriends for a girls weekend away.

4. Getting the opportunity to see Whitehaven Beach 

Visiting magical Whitehaven Beach was a must!

 
As the program was flexible I was able to sneak a quick tour to Whitehaven Beach into my weekend. It was incredibly special to get to see this wonder with my own eyes and it made my weekend even more memorable.  Getting to tick off swimming at Australia’s best beach really was the icing on the cake for the entire weekend!

5. I left feeling so inspired

I felt sad when the weekend came to an end and it was time to head home but part of me was excited. I was feeling really inspired by all the fantastic information I’d learnt and keen to put it to use in my day-to-day life.  Also, I felt completely recharged and there’s nothing like having a holiday glow that needs to be shown off when you get back home.
 
Since being home, I’ve changed a lot of little things and that has helped make a big difference overall to my health and fitness.  I got so much out of the nutritional information and my running has really improved.
 

Time spent at Catseye Beach will always be a fond memory of the weekend. Photo by Kara Rosenlund.

Alice travelled to Hamilton Island as the Social Media and Content Editor for Hamilton Island. To learn more about this years Active Women’s Weekend you can view our events page.