Sundays every day

Pete Brulisauer, CEO of Hamilton Island, remarks, “The Sundays marks over 20 years of significant investment in Hamilton Island by the Oatley family.

“Inspired by the essence of a Sunday – relaxation, treasuring time, and fostering connections with loved ones – The Sundays will offer an extraordinary experience for all ages amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of The Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”

Hamilton Island, accessible via direct flights in under 2.5 hours from major Australian East Coast cities, has seen a sharp rise in domestic travellers seeking a luxury tropical island escape without the hassle of international travel.

“We also continue to welcome international travellers eager to experience the best of Australia, like Whitehaven Beach and the iconic Heart Reef,” Brulisauer adds.

The project, estimated at over $30 million, builds on the $400 million already invested in Hamilton Island’s facilities and infrastructure, solidifying its status as a premier island resort envisioned by the late Bob Oatley upon acquisition in 2003.

Sandy Oatley, Chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, states, “We’re responding to our guests’ requests for more family-focused boutique accommodation. We remain dedicated to enhancing Hamilton Island’s reputation as one of Australia’s most iconic holiday destinations.”

The Sundays complements Hamilton Island’s diverse accommodation offerings, which include the internationally acclaimed luxury resort qualia, the boutique beachfront hotel Beach Club, and the family-friendly Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows. Reservations for The Sundays open in Spring 2024 (AEST).

About Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest integrated island resort, offering various accommodation options, from self-catering holiday homes and apartments to luxury hotels. It boasts 20 dining options, 2 spas, a 300+ berth marina, and over 65 tours and activities.

The Sundays is the newest addition to Hamilton Island’s portfolio, joining luxury hotels qualia and Beach Club and the family-friendly Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows.

Hamilton Island is the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, easily accessible via short flights from major Australian East Coast cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane (on average 44 flights per week, all under 3 hours), and direct boat transfers from the Queensland mainland. Over 500,000 visitors passed through Hamilton Island Airport in 2023.

Established in 1982, Hamilton Island has received over $400 million in improvements since the Oatley family acquired it in 2003, including developing the 18-hole golf course on neighbouring Dent Island.

Tourism to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was approximately 2 million total visitor days in 2023, according to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The Sundays is expected to create over 100 full-time equivalent jobs for hospitality workers in the Whitsundays region.

On Hamilton Island, visitors can experience the best Australia has to offer – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather (year-round average temperature of 27 degrees), fascinating coral reefs, and diverse flora and fauna.

Hamilton Island serves as a gateway to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, including Whitehaven Beach – voted World’s #1 Best Beach in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – just thirty minutes away via high-speed catamaran, and the iconic Heart Reef, accessible via a scenic helicopter flight and glass-bottom boat, exclusive to Hamilton Island guests.

The Whitsundays are one of only two sites in Australia designated as a Whale Heritage site by the World Cetacean Alliance, hosting thousands of humpback whales annually.

With over 12 kilometres of unspoiled nature trails and secluded hideaways, guests can immerse themselves in Hamilton Island’s natural beauty, discovering sandy coves and encountering Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at The Hamilton Island Golf Club, designed by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson, the only golf course in Australia located on its own island.

For wellness seekers, Hamilton Island offers various activities, including sunrise yoga, run clubs, and a gym with multiple classes. Hamilton Island’s Spa wumurdaylin provides a range of spa treatments, relaxation treatments, and natural therapies.

Hamilton Island hosts a year-round calendar of highly-anticipated events, including Hamilton Island Race Week – the largest offshore keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, and Pas de Deux in Paradise – a collaborative project between The Australian Ballet and qualia, held biannually.

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