Samson Posted by Reef Magazine - 13 May 2012 Samson is our barge, and has been for quite some time. The barge is crucial to the running of Hamilton Island. Almost everything for the island comes in by barge – food and wine for restaurants, linen for Hamilton Island hotels, grocery orders from Coles and Woolies (a very handy option if you are staying in a Hamilton Island Holiday Home for more than a few days), removal trucks for relocating families, Audi’s by the dozen during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and even outrigger canoes for the Hamilton Island Paddling Event in June. The barge operates from dawn until dusk. In fact the other day, during one of our dawn paddles we had to sprint back to the barge ramp in order to get the canoe out of the water before they could arrive! The barge operates between Shute Harbour and the island, taking about an hour to make the trip. The barge operations area is located at the resort end of Front Street. I like sitting with the kids in my buggy with a coffee from the Marina Deli watching the loading operations from under the coconut trees. There is always something interesting going on down at the marina. About the Author 'REEF Magazine – Hamilton Island & the Great Barrier Reef' is a magazine that showcases all that Hamilton Island has to offer, from events, to an exciting array of activities, attractions and more. You can pick up your complimentary copy of 'REEF Magazine' at any Hamilton Island hotel, and you can also access some of our feature articles right here on The Island Blog.