Where: Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia. Oceania. When: June 2025 What: Daybreak hike to Passage Peak Lookout, How: Domestic flights, golf buggy, walking. Wildlife Spotting: Illnesses or mishaps: text
travel tips, links & resources
The Whitsunday Islands are exceedingly popular with Australians in search of an island escape. This means that you have no option but to plan ahead if you're going to enjoy your time here. Booking in advance for everything from golf buggies to ferry journeys and evening meals is essential. You heard that right: you have to think weeks in advance if you want to eat at your hotel.
At time of travel, Qantas was flying direct onto Hamilton Island from Sydney. Other flights travel only to Proserpine on the Australian (Queensland) mainland. If your time is tight, as mine was, then flying direct to Hamilton Island will help you to maximise your time.
The official tourism website for Hamilton Island is a good place to start when planning your trip. Get there from here.
If you're planning on going for a hike on Hamilton Island, be mindful of the Gympie-Gympie Stinging Trees. The Gympie-Gympie has broad oval or heart-shaped leaves with saw-tooth edges and white or purple-red fruit. They are covered in stinging hairs which appear furry. Brushing against the tree will cause the hairs to embed into the skin and result in an extremely painful stinging sensation.
If you're planning on entering waters other than man-made swimming pools, it is advisable that you wear a stinger suit to avoid getting stung by the Irukandji Jellyfish. This is one of the smallest (about the size of an adult thumb) and most venomous jellyfish in the world. It has been found in the waters of the Whitsunday Islands, predominantly during the summer months (December-March). A sting by one of these guys requires immediate medical attention.
Sharks are also present in the waters surrounding the Whitsunday Islands, including Hamilton. Signs of a shark nearby include fish gathering in large schools, jumping out of the water or behaving erratically. According to HamiltonIsland.com.au, to minimise the low risk of a shark attack you should avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, at night or in murky water.
