Luxury Escapes Guide to Hamilton Island

Gracefully overlooking the water, within the iconic Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant that transforms local seafood into culinary brilliance. A four-course menu will have you feasting on impeccably plated dishes such as poached scallops in fermented pear juice, and miso-glazed kingfish with a caramelised cauliflower puree. There’s also a private dining room that hosts up to 16 guests if you’re celebrating something special. The deck is equipped with an outdoor bar, ideal for watching the sunset and spotting a few turtles peacefully gliding through the waters below.

Heralded as one of the best restaurants on the island, Coca Chu is all about flaunting the flavours of Asia – predominantly Thai and Vietnamese – while showcasing the beauty of Australian produce. Crowd favourite dishes include the Vietnamese chicken and glass noodle salad, Sichuan-style duck, and a jungle curry with steamed barramundi. The menu is designed to showcase the vibrant street food of Asia, served in a sophisticated, lantern-lit interior that looks onto the water.

This family favourite, with a prime position on Hamilton Island Marina, offers no-fuss dining for guests of all ages and caters to a vast range of tastes and dietary requirements. Manta Ray’s diverse a la carte menu is full of dishes to be enjoyed all on your own or shared with loved ones. The forté here is modern Australian fare, which you can sample in the form of torched salmon sushi tacos, pretzel bun Wagyu burgers, and a cauliflower steak with balsamic reduction. Plus, if you’re a guest of the Reef View Hotel, kids under 12 eat for free.

Part of the Hamilton Island Golf Club, the Clubhouse Restaurant affords one of the most memorable dining experiences in the Whitsundays. It’s hard for culinary connoisseurs to be disappointed thanks to forward-thinking modern Australian plates using only the best produce available. The restaurant’s pavilion-style structure and alfresco dining area allows diners to admire the beauty of Dent Island and its surroundings; you don’t need to play a round of golf to enjoy lunch here, there’s a ferry and two-course lunch package on offer – one you won’t regret.

Romano’s elegantly brings classic Italian flavours into the modern day, though its reimagined dishes don’t dare compromise on flavour. Start with some delectable zucchini flowers stuffed with crab and ricotta in a lemon emulsion before moving onto squid ink spaghetti with scallops and prawns or a pepita-crusted lamb rack. Romano’s is fitting for a range of occasions – from a romantic night out to a group dinner. Or you can simply wind up your evening here with a wine or a cocktail in hand as the gentle backbeat of the ocean quietly splashes behind you.

Countless jaws have dropped at One Tree Hill, an awe-inspiring elevated viewpoint offering 360-degree views of Hamilton Island and its neighbouring pockets of land, where blue and green hues contrast against the island’s striking red poinciana flower trees. If you want to spend a little longer taking it all in, pull up a chair at the open-air bar and indulge in a drink of your choice and some nibbles – perhaps a selection of Australian cheeses or a charcuterie board. Sip on a Robert Oatley glass of wine, some sparkling or a cocktail – some of which go for A$10 a glass.

Whether you’re heading out on the water and need to stock up for lunch or planning a picnic at one of the island’s many prized spots, consider picking up some goodies from Bob’s Bakery. Counters here are filled with croissants, donuts, macarons, freshly made sandwiches, sausage rolls and pies to fuel you for the day. They also make impressive celebration cakes if you’re here for a birthday or engagement party, or simply want to celebrate being on the island… no reason needed.

After an adventure-packed day out on the water, a little r‘n’r could be just what your mind, body and soul calls for. Spa Wumurdaylin offers a series of massage, wellness and skincare treatments, using premium Australian skincare and spa products. Whether you’re in the mood for a body scrub or wrap, a massage or a facial, it’s confidently covered here. If you’d like to take it up a notch, look into the package rituals such as the ‘Island Escape’ – featuring a sugar exfoliation, hydration massage, performance facial, express manicure and pedicure, and head and neck treatment.

Venturing to Heart Island, nestled in the Great Barrier Reef, is a once in a lifetime experience. The journey commences with a 30-minute helicopter flight over flawless Whitehaven Beach before taking off again and performing a Bond-like landing on Heart Island’s private pontoon. Explore the island’s lagoon in a sensational glass-bottom boat with the option to swim and snorkel through its pristine waters. The exclusive tour is available for six people at a time and is truly luxury at its finest.

The only 18-hole championship golf course in Australia to have its own island, Hamilton Island Golf Club attracts avid players from all parts of the globe. Designed by world champion Peter Thomson, the course’s deep valleys and tricky fairways makes for a highly challenging round. But visitors are rewarded with one of the best backdrops a golfer – amateur or professional – could ask for. The hypnotic nature of the surrounding sea is enough to distract some players from the game. Be prepared to lose a few balls.

Admire the world from above on a Hamilton Highlight helicopter tour, a morning flight that passes over the wondrous fringing reef at Coral Cove, secluded Escape Beach, the swimmers and stand-up paddleboarders at Catseye Beach and towering Passage Peak. The 10-minute trip concludes by flying back over Hamilton Island’s world-class marina. This trip can host two passengers at a time, so make sure you’re in good company.

Immerse yourself in Hamilton Island with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.