Hamilton Island: One million memories

We're celebrating one million visitors landing and departing over ten years at Hamilton Island. During this time we've undergone major transformation in terms of significant building projects and infrastructure. We’ve also shared in amazing guest experiences, world class events and been part of a million memories.

To celebrate the million memories made in the past decade, we want you to tell us your story in a wonderful competition we are running- click here for information on how to enter.

10 fun facts from our 10 years:

1. Over 10 years Hamilton Island’s gardeners have been extremely busy planting 5,099 trees, 529,841 shrubs, 201,522 ground covers and 13,272 palms and cycads, adding a total of 749,734 stunning stabilising greenery to the natural flora.

Lush gardens along a pathway at Hamilton Island.

2. October is always the busiest travel month of the year for the island’s reservations team and last month was Hamilton Island’s best on record at 94.7% occupancy. Ten years ago the October occupancy rate was 68.7%
 

The popular Beach Club resort on Hamilton Island.

3. Between 2011 and 2016 guests from 103 different countries, including beautiful island locations such as Mauritius, Fiji and the Philippines, have booked to stay at one of the island’s properties; qualia, the deluxe Beach Club or the refurbished Reef View Hotel.  Guests from Peru, the Dominican Republic, Botswana and Lithuania represent some of the less obvious countries of origin.

Sharing our island with the world!

4. Rest and relaxation has continued to be the number one reason for travelling to Hamilton Island with 112,500 massages being given over the last 10 years.

Keeping busy at Spa Wumurdaylin on Hamilton Island.

5. Major celebrities who have holidayed at Hamilton Island over the past decade include Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Miranda Kerr, Naomi Watts, PINK and Chris Hemsworth.

L-R: Chris Hemsworth, Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift are among are celebrity visitors.

6. Our world class sailing event- Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (AHIRW) has grown from 156 entries in 2006 to 252 in 2016. During those ten years VIPs and guests have enjoyed hundreds of social events and have consumed 97,000 bottles of beer, 20,000 bottles of champagne, 20,000 punnets of strawberries and 40,000 meat pies – to name just a few of the Race Week culinary favourites. 

Sailing boats race across the azure waters of Hamilton Island at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.Photo by Andrea Francolini.

7. Well over 100,000 people have attended more than 300 weddings per year over the past 10 years. The biggest wedding of 2016 catered for 150 guests and the smallest wedding the bride and groom plus celebrant, wedding planner and second witness.

The magic of the Whitsundays makes for a breathtaking backdrop for our couples celebrating their nuptials.

8. The way guests book a holiday on Hamilton Island is a sign of the times. In 2006 4.3% of guests booked a holiday online. This year it’s 28% and growing with direct bookings becoming a popular way of people securing their dream holidays.

Guests enjoying family time on Catseye Beach.

9. The Island Concierge team says the most common questions haven’t changed over time and usually relate to weather or transfers. Other questions include "Can we stay longer?" "Can we live here?"

Golf Buggies are the main mode of motorised transport on the island.

10. When it comes to experiences had during a visit to the island, guests have most enjoyed the golf buggies, the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, a koala cuddle and more recently qualia, as a firm favourite for luxury seekers.

The unforgettable view of the Hill Inlet at Whitehaven beach.

Don't forget to enter our amazing competition- click here.