Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Hamilton Island, Australia

Will be visiting Hamilton Island in October 2007 with some friends for 4 days, staying at the Reef View Hotel.

Wonder if anyone has some input on the best (reef) excursions (we probably only want to spend two days with such activity) and what else there is to do on that island.

Thanks in advance.

From neighboring Hayman we did the float plane to the reef and snorkeling - was terrific - great views - nicer ride than the heli and faster than the boat.^

The Fantasea (or something like that) day cruise to Reefworld is pretty good - it's a full day and a bit of a long ride out and back, but you get a few hours at Reef World (a pontoon platform on the reef). There's a semi-submersible, netted swimming areas, etc. Good day out. If you've got a diving ticket they offer than as an activity, with gear supplied for a charge.


As for stuff to do on the island, there's heaps. I'm not into watersports other than swimming (in any sense - including that found in the more esoteric German magazines....) so I can't talk much about boating/ skiiing/ etc options, but there's no shortage of other activities.

The shooting range can be fun, but they use pretty light powder loads so the tourists don't die of shock when firing a .44, there's a decent enough Go-Kart track, golf course & mini-golf course, usual resort sports like tennis etc, day cruises, and just lounging in the pool with a drink in hand ain't a bad way to spend the day.

The Reef View is decent enough, probably in need of a reno soon but it's up to the claimed **** standard. The Beach Club (couples only) is a great place to stay if that's an option for you. Private horizon pool, private shuttle service, etc - very nice.

You can also take day cruises to some of the other resort islands - helicopter flights, canoeing trips, you name it. You certainly won't be bored.

The Fantasea (or something like that) day cruise to Reefworld is pretty good - it's a full day and a bit of a long ride out and back, but you get a few hours at Reef World (a pontoon platform on the reef). There's a semi-submersible, netted swimming areas, etc. Good day out. If you've got a diving ticket they offer than as an activity, with gear supplied for a charge.

Yeah Fantasea, I remember when I was 15 we went upto the GBR on the way back from the reef the seas were 6-8 metres (18-24ft):eek: I got my sea legs that day;)


I'm not into watersports other than swimming (in any sense - including that found in the more esoteric German magazines....)


:D^

To all of you who answered up to now my thanks. Others, please keep your ideas coming.

Although it's not near Hamilton you might check
information about Heron Island off the coast at
Gladstone which is my wife's and my favorite
destination in the world

It is operated by P&O resorts and shares a tiny
coral key with a national park research station
It is not among the reef's keys but actually is one

Every living creature that can be seen in the many
pictorials are within touching distance both aquatic
and terestrial along with the many exhibits at the
research station that is open to the guests

We have been there on three visits to Australia
and plan to go again in the near future

Chic

I strongly agree with CHIC SILBER - never, never, never miss a chance to visit Heron Island!! (especially if you take the helicopter over rather than the cat shuttle ride)

Although the Whitsundays are not within the GBR per se, if you have the time, it is worth spending at least a couple of days sailing around the islands.

There have been discussions in this forum on Whitsunday sailing options around a year ago. I'd do it again and highly recommend it.

Starting from another island like Heron Island to see the reef could make better use of your time. There have been some discussions of a few islands north of the Whitsundays, as a good place for a scuba tour of the reef.

IIRC is there a helicopter drop-off Hamilton Island (or Hayman) to ReefWorld?

I strongly agree with CHIC SILBER - never, never, never miss a chance to visit Heron Island!! (especially if you take the helicopter over rather than the cat shuttle ride)

We go for the top priced accomodations (not much more)
so my wife takes the helicopter (she's a queasy sailor) and I
take the catamaran and enjoy the ride to save a few bucks

Before they got the cat (I sailed on it's maiden crossing)
they used a 45ft single hull that took about twice as long

Chic