Accessibility to Hamilton Island
While Hamilton Island is ideally located in the heart of the Whitsundays and on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, it is accessible via direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns, a short ferry from the Port of Airlie and regularly serviced by private helicopters, planes and boats.
Travelling by Air
There are direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns to Hamilton Island’s own commercial airport. Major airlines including Virgin Australia and Qantas, all service the island and regional charter flights can be organised from Mackay, Proserpine and Airlie Beach. The modern, fully equipped airport is the main hub for the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, and handles commercial flights plus locally operated helicopters, light planes and seaplanes.
Travelling by Water
Ferries cruise the 60-minute journey from Port of Airlie on the mainland to Hamilton Island throughout the day. Meanwhile, those arriving by yacht will find a warm welcome at the Hamilton Island Marina. If you or family and friends are travelling to the island from Brisbane, Townsville or Cairns, there are coaches that run regularly to Airlie Beach, which is a short coach trip from the departure point at Shute Harbour. Meanwhile, the Sunlander train runs four times a week from Brisbane and Cairns to Proserpine, with coach connections to Shute Harbour and the Hamilton Island ferry.
