The best family activities on Hamilton Island

Being our second trip to Hamilton Island we had an idea of the things that we were going to do on our holiday. Eating breakfast with the koalas was the first thing our children wanted to do as we did not get to experience the Wildlife Park on our last trip.  

Never smile at a crocodile.  Photo by Gemma Gers

On our zoo day, we started our morning early and ate breakfast with the koalas followed by a guided tour through the Wildlife Park. The children were quite fascinated with the very large, very old crocodile lazing in the sun, trying to spot who could see him move first.  

Thumbs up who loves the quad bikes? Photo by Gemma Gers

Travelling in a group with four boys between the ages of seven and eight, actions sports were hot on the agenda. The boys loved to race around on the quad bikes seeing who could kick up the most dust and get the best corner speed. But the day that we went to the go karts it was more of a competition for the dads and adults than the children, bumping each other in the corners and speeding up the straights. 

Catch me if you can. Photo by Gemma Gers

Organised activities are a great way to meet other people on the island and get some extra physical activity into your day with the kids. Our older children enjoyed a game of basketball and volleyball organised by the island staff (you can keep up to date with these activities on the Hamilton Island App). 

Great way of meeting other families and making holiday friends for the kids.  Photo by Gemma Gers

After enjoying so many action packed and physical days it was also nice to do something to unwind. A half day cruise with Cruise Whitsundays is a must for any family visiting Hamilton Island. Half day tours allow the perfect amount of time to soak up the atmosphere at Whitehaven Beach, whilst also keeping the kids entertained. 

The trip to Whitehaven was quick and the kids enjoyed cruising along the water.  Photo by Gemma Gers.

We played cricket on Whitehaven Beach, splashed around in the clear heavenly waters and made sandcastles on the white sandy beaches, before returning back to the main island in time for lunch, followed by more swimming!  

Beach cricket was great fun for the kids and parents alike. Photo By Gemma Gers.

There are many things to keep you entertained (if that’s what you want) but our favourite thing to do on Hamilton Island may well just be the simplest of all…spending time on Catseye Beach as a family. We loved making sand pizzas, playing volleyball, walking out to the edge of the reef in low tide to spot some marine life and splashing the day away until the sun set. 

Playtime on Catseye Beach was a daily ritual for our family trip. Photo by Gemma Gers.

These are my favourite days, when the day just fades away. The day is not complete unless you finish the afternoon with an ice-cream at the local ice-cream parlour. This hotspot is frequented by tourists throughout the day and night by children and adults alike. 

Tropical holidays require daily ice creams. Photo by Gemma Gers.

Hamilton Island can be as relaxing or adventure filled as you like. It captures our hearts a little more every time we visit, and we are already planning our next trip for 2019.  

We were planning our next visit before we’d even left! Photo by Gemma Gers.