Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Australia 2004 - page 324

includes the addition of balconies—some of them very small—to upper-level
rooms, providing uninterrupted ocean views.
Daydream Island (40km/25 miles NE of Shute Harbour), Whitsunday Islands. (Postal address: P.M.B. 22,
Mackay, QLD 4741.) & 07/4948 8488. Fax [phone]. www.daydream.net.au. 296 units. A$224-A$584
(US$146-US$380) double. Minimum 3-night stay. Rates include breakfast. Children 4-14 stay free with exist-
ing bedding. Ask about packages. AE, MC, V. Whitsunday All Over ( & 1300/366 494 in Australia, or 07/4946
9499) provides 15-min. launch transfers from Shute Harbour as well as from Long Island, South Molle, and
Hamilton Island. Amenities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; 3 freshwater outdoor pools (1 heated); 3 Jacuzzis; 2
day/night tennis courts; watersports equipment; tour desk; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies
and PlayStation, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Hamilton Island More a vacation village than a single resort, Hamil-
ton has the widest range of activities, accommodations styles, and restaurants of
any Great Barrier Reef island resort. Thanks to a A$56 million (US$36 million)
refurbishment over the past 5 years, the place is looking fresh. Accommodations
choices are extra-large rooms and suites in the high-rise hotel, high-rise one bed-
room apartments, Polynesian-style bungalows in tropical gardens (ask for one
away from the road for real privacy), and glamorous rooms in the two-story,
adults-only Beach Club, which sports minimalist decor and a personal “host” to
cater to every whim, as well as a choice of two-, three-, and four-bedroom self-
contained apartments and villas. The best sea views come from the second-floor
Beach Club rooms, from floor nos. 5 to 18 of the Reef View Hotel, and from
most apartments. In-room amenities vary depending on your accommodations
choice, so check when booking.
On one side of the island is a marina village with cafes, restaurants, shops, and
a yacht club. On the other are the accommodations, a large and inviting free-
form pool and swim-up bar, and the wide curve of Cat's Eye Beach. Hamilton
offers a huge range of watersports, fishing trips, and cruises, speedboat rides,
Go-Karts, a “wire flyer” flying-fox hang glider, a pistol/clay target/rifle range,
minigolf, an aquatic driving range, beach barbecue safaris in an army truck, hik-
ing trails, an Aussie wildlife sanctuary where you can cuddle a koala or hold a
baby crocodile, and an extensive daily activities program. Because the resort is
split by a steep hill, you need to get around by the free shuttle (which runs half-
hourly or hourly 10am-8pm), by golf buggy (A$35/US$23 per hr. or
A$60/US$39 for 24 hr.), or on foot. Despite the price, everyone seems to go for
the buggies, so the place can feel like rush hour. To get away, hit the beach or
the hiking trails, because most of the 750-hectare (1,853-acre) island is virgin
bushland. The biggest drawback is that just about every activity costs extra (and
it's usually not cheap) so you are constantly adding to your holiday bill.
Hamilton Island (16km/10 miles SE of Shute Harbour), Whitsunday Islands, QLD 4803. & 1800/075 110 in
Australia, or 02/8353 8444 (reservations office in Sydney), or 07/4946 9999 (the island). Fax [phone]
(reservations office in Sydney), or 07/4946 8888 (the island). www.hamiltonisland.com.au. 737 units (some
with shower only). A$249-A$335 (US$162-US$218) bungalow or Palm Terrace; A$340-A$690
(US$221-US$449) apt (to sleep 5 or 6). Hotel A$332-A$398 (US$216-US$259) double; A$589 (US$383)
suite. Beach Club A$531 (US$345) double. Children under 12 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding
and eat free from kids' menu at 5 restaurants. No children in Beach Club rooms. Ask about packages. AE, DC,
MC, V. Airlines fly into Hamilton Island Airport. Free airport-resort transfers for all guests. Fantasea Cruises
( & 1800/650 851 in Australia, or 07/4946 5111) provides launch transfers from Shute Harbour and most
other islands. Amenities: 10 restaurants; 7 bars; 6 outdoor pools; minigolf and driving range; day/night ten-
nis courts; health club and spa; extensive range of watersports and activities; bike rental; child-care center for
kids from 6 weeks to 14 years (in 3 groups); concierge (hotel and Beach Club only); tour desk; business cen-
ter and secretarial services; shopping arcade; salon; limited room service (18 hr. for Beach Club guests; 16 hr.
for hotel guests); massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; laundry service (hotel only). In room: A/C, TV (some
rooms have VCR, some have pay movies), fax, kitchen (apts only), minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.

Kids