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, Brisbane and Cairns operated by Virgin Australia, Qantas and East Air.

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.

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.

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

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.