This award-winning destination is the only island in the Great Barrier Reef with its own commercial airport. Its easy access is only one of the reasons it's so popular with travelers. Hamilton Island holiday home rentals provide the comfort of home on an island that caters to tourists.

Day trips to the Great Barrier Reef are among the most popular activities on the island. Whale watching draws the crowds as these giant mammals migrate through the Whitsundays Islands from July through September. The water is a big draw with breathtaking snorkeling, sea kayaking, and parasailing. Golf is also a big lure, as well as strolling around the many beautiful walking trails. Weddings are a big industry on Hamilton Island with over 500 wedding ceremonies occurring a year; pretty large numbers for an island without a large resident population.

Whether you fly in or arrive by passenger ferry from Airlie Beach, it's important to know that mainland motor vehicles are prohibited. Private yachts are welcome to dock at the Hamilton Island Marina. The most popular form of transportation on the island is golf carts, and they are available for rent. A public shuttle bus can get you to most of the tourist attractions as well.

Hamilton Island boasts mild temps and clear skies through most of the year. Travelers can expect January through March temperatures to be in the 80s. While showers occasionally hit during this time, most of the days are sunny. April to June brings fewer showers and slightly cooler temps in the mid-70s. With temps in the low 70s, July to September means a lot of families and school vacationers. Hamilton Island holiday home rentals book up quickly during this time. October to December is the most popular time to visit the island. Temps average in the low 80s.

The island hosts a number of sporting events each year, one of its most popular being the Hamilton Island Race Week Yachting Festival held in late August. Over 150 yachts compete in this week of races. There's also a triathlon and the Hilly Marathon. Pas de Deux in Paradise features the Australian Ballet set against a backdrop of the islands and the glistening waters, and it's unlike anything else.

For an area of its size, Hamilton Island has a large number of fine-dining options as well as casual bars and takeaway choices (fast-food). The island caters to a lot of family travel, so dining options for kids are plentiful. Most of the restaurants use locally sourced, sustainable produce for incredibly fresh dishes. There's also one general store/supermarket on the island that will deliver food to your Hamilton Island holiday home rental before, or just after, you arrive.