Experiencing the magic of Hamilton Island with kids

From the moment we arrived at Hamilton Island, we knew that we were in for something special. Our holiday got off to a flying start, when we headed to one of the resort pools after check-in. The kids loved getting into the water within hours of arriving and it set the tone for the rest of the holiday: relaxed, fun, and brimming with fantastic experiences.

Happy faces guaranteed. Funny faces a distinct probability.

We loved the atmosphere on the island. coca chu on Catseye Beach became our families’ favourite restaurant (we went back twice, so we could enjoy those duck pancakes again and again!). After dinner we walked to the marina and enjoyed ice-creams. There was plenty of live music and a festival atmosphere – the whole Island was vibrant and alive, and it was an exceptional way for our family to spend time together.

A delicious dinner at coca chu, overlooking the azure and beautiful Catseye Beach.

While there were many highlights from the vacation, it was a real pleasure for us to see our kids experience the incredible Great Barrier reef up close. We were blown away that this magical place existed just a boat trip away from Hamilton Island.  We did a full day visit and excitedly headed to the region called Reef World. We were given an educational talk in the glass-bottomed boat, which gave us lots of information about what we might discover beneath the surface. We then strapped on our snorkels and tipped into the crystal-clear water to explore the wonder of the Reef. The kids were most excited to see if they could find Nemo! After the fun of discovering the reef the whole experience was topped off with a delicious buffet lunch aboard the boat – the perfect reward for a family of hungry aquatic explorers!

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef is a breathtaking experience.

Our fun didn’t stop there, the next day we headed off for perhaps the most unique and spectacular part of our trip. Camping on Whitehaven Beach for three nights! Often described as the most beautiful beach in Australia, every day we spent at Whitehaven Beach was an adventure. We walked along the deserted beach in the evenings, and woke up to the sound of waves breaking on the shore. The kids found coral and cuttlefish bones, collecting and comparing their finds on the pristine white sand – even on an overcast day, watching the gigantic, swollen clouds sweep over the azure blue sea was a thrilling experience. The remote, startling beauty of the beach is something that photos can’t live up to, and our little band of castaways loved every minute of it. 

We loved giving our kids the chance to thoroughly explore a pristine corner of Australia’s wild beauty.

Back on Hamilton Island we were never at a loss for fun pursuits throughout the rest of our two week stay. The activity guide overflowed with family-friendly activities. Natasha and Kai took fearlessly to the quad bikes, played tennis and table-tennis, had a spin in the bowling alley – and we liked the mini-golf so much that we came back for a second round a few days later. In the evenings, hosted theme nights kept the kids entertained; they loved competing in the Quiz Night. Another evening, Magic Tony introduced them to the ‘secrets of the magician’s guild’, which enraptured them so much that they’re still performing some of his magic card tricks. There’s no shortage of things to do together – the island is dotted with masses of activities for a fun and action-packed holiday. 

Kai taking on the ten-pins at the island’s bowling alley.

On one of our last days, we set off for neighbouring Dent Island to tour and lunch at the Hamilton Island Golf Club. It was a wonderful day – the exquisite food was matched by the beautiful views over Dent Island’s sweeping vista, with the rise and fall of the island’s natural landform mirrored in the outline of neighbouring islands on the horizon. It was a real treat for the whole family, and the perfect way to farewell a spectacular two weeks on Hamilton Island. 

Our kids fell in love with the vibrant natural beauty of the island..

Our holiday was simply superb, and we have a new collection of unique and wonderful memories from our time on Hamilton Island. All in all, the most difficult part of this trip has been thinking up answers to the kids’ constant enquiries of “When are we going back again?”