Factfile

Factfile

Clear attraction: diving is popular

Access: Hamilton Island is serviced by Ansett and Qantas with 46 flights a week, operating from Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Brisbane. Visitors can take a bus from mainland Prosperine to either Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour from where it’s a half-hour catamaran ride.

Activities and excursions: include Great Barrier Reef cruising, speed boat adventures, whale watching, game fishing, sailing, diving, helicopter and seaplane flights and safari lunches. Couples can take a champagne luncheon helicopter flight to their own private island (£130 per person), or indulge in the ultimate reef experience, the Reef Sleep, spending the night on a pontoon and dining on the Barrier Reef. The cost per person for this one-night package is £144 and includes catamaran transfer, all meals, wine with dinner and two scuba dives.

Kids: under-15s receive free accommodation when sharing with parents and gain free access to the Clown Fish Club – a day-care centre — along with complimentary meals from the kids’ menu when dining with parents.