Hamilton Island : Not only Just for couples
Things have changed over the years. Thanks to the continuous collective efforts Mr. Daiza Hayashida, Director of Sales, Eastern Market, for Hamilton Island with support from Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia this destination is getting the attention it deserved. Earlier, Indian agents used to pitch in Cairns which is also a beautiful destination but Hamilton being an expensive proposition overall, always stayed out of the options provided by the agents to the Indian customers looking for bargain pricing.
Well, it was time to educate the agents that Hamilton Island is a different product and the agents must always try and provide all options in front of customers. One may never know the true potential of a customer until and unless one offers different products.
Some think Hamilton Island is only great for honeymoon.
If you are one of them, then you are losing your business chance by narrowing your market! In fact 1 in 10 pax arriving to Hamilton Island is child and it is Aussie’s favourite family destination.
While there are all kinds of great activities to choose from, here are our top ten things to do with kids on the island:
1. Swim, swim (and swim some more)
With beautiful weather all year round in the Whitsundays, it’s always warm enough for a dip, and several of the resort pools are heated in winter. Any guest of the island has free use of the lovely Main Pool, Sails Pool or Bougainvillea Pool, all of which are on the resort side.
2. Cruise in your open-air buggy
The ever-present, softly humming golf buggies are one of the most distinctive things about Hamilton Island, and give the island a breezy and relaxed feel. One can hire buggies from Hamilton Island Buggy Hire by the hour, the day, or even overnight. There are two-seater and four-seater versions available, and they’re very easy to drive.
3. Visit One Tree Hill at sunset
Once one picks up a buggy, be sure to head to the One Tree Hill before dinner, and watch the magnificent sunset over the Whitsundays.
4. Work up a sweat on Catseye Beach
As well as swimming, one can also spent lots of time down on Catseye Beach, making the most of all the quality beach equipment that’s available for hire, or free of charge to any families staying at the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows, or any of the Hamilton Island Holiday Homes. There’s plenty to do for all ages, including stand-up paddleboards, sea kayaks, catamarans and windsurfers.
5. Visit the Great Barrier Reef or Whitehaven Beach
The island offers some fantastic, family-friendly tours to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef can be a real highlight of one's holiday.
6. Eat, eat (and eat some more!)
If you’re staying at the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows or any of the Hamilton Island Holiday Homes, you can also take advantage of the island’s ‘Kids Stay & Eat Free’ offer, where kids up to 12 can eat for free in participating restaurants if they’re dining with parents before 7.30pm.
7. Enjoy breakfast with some koalas
Kids really enjoy this activity - where the family have their breakfast right next to two sleepy and adorable koalas at WILD LIFE Hamilton Island.
8. Go go-kart crazy
If one is after a bit of adrenaline, the go-karting track is always popular with young kids (who can accompany an adult in a duo-kart as long as they are over four).
9. Play a round of mini-golf
This is a favourite activity for kids. The course is challenging enough to be fun for adults, but also fun enough for kids to stay focused for 18 holes.
10. Take a tube ride
Kids will have a fantastic time on the tube ride - which involve being towed alongside parents, on a giant, inflatable ring behind a speedboat.
11. Make use of the Clownfish Club
The Clownfish Club offers a large and friendly environment for kids, and a team of trusted child-care workers. The club takes kids from as young as six weeks, where one can leave children in very capable hands for just a few hours, or even a full day.
