DAY ONE
3pm arrival- Take us to the nearest bar! We land, drop our bags and head straight to Manta Ray, a marina favourite and casual restaurant serving a variety of fresh seafood, pizzas and meat dishes. Forget the food, we were there for cocktails whilst watching our first sunset. Two words- Espresso Martini!
7pm- Nestled on the edge of Catseye Beach, Coca Chu awaits to tantalise your tastebuds with hawker-style street food from South East Asia. O-M-G! If there’s one restaurant on the island I would order everything off the menu, it’s here. Not only is the menu delish but the high ceiling and exposed timber arches allow the interior design to set the mood as soon as you walk in.
DAY TWO
10am- (Ok we all had a sleep in) We take the short but very pretty ferry ride over to Dent Island, home to Hamilton Island’s golf course. This 18 hole championship course follows the land with it’s winding terrain and steep valleys only to be surrounded by the most incredible blue ocean you’ve ever seen. But if you’re not up for playing a few holes you can opt for the Clubhouse lunch special at $75pp which includes return island transfers from Hamilton Island to Dent Island, a two-course a la carte lunch and tour (in a golf buggy) of the Back 9 of the golf course.
2pm- we arrive back on Hamilton Island and decide to find a vacant chair by the main pool. Situated on Catseye Beach and surrounded by lush palms you can’t help but relax. Ahhhh and there’s a swim up bar – winning!
6pm- We grab a blanket, pack our own grazing plate (there’s an IGA on the island) and a few bottles of moscato then head up to One Tree Hill, the perfect posi for an island sunset. You are sharing this experience with at least 300 strangers but it’s well worth it!
DAY THREE
9am- With fresh croissants from the marina bakery and much needed coffee we get in our golf buggy (did I mention that’s how everyone gets around the island!) and go for a drive. Through the winding hills, our first stop is the quaint little chapel that sits atop Catseye Beach. We found a small park bench in the gardens of the chapel grounds and enjoyed our brekkie whilst soaking up one of my favourite views on the island.
12pm- After house perving for an hour or so and then a tad of shopping (we had to!) we made our way to the other side of the island where the world famous Qualia Resort awaited. OH-MY-GOODNESS…it might be adults only but there’s a reason for that, it offers nothing short of luxury, island style. After a delicious and not overly pricey lunch at Pebble Beach, my sister gave us the grand tour, no wonder so many celebrities visit this hidden paradise. Everything from the ocean front villas and tranquil day spa to the exquisitely kept gardens and reception lobby (which she referred to as Long Pav….short for Long Pavilion to us commoners) was grand. Put this on your list!
5.30pm- Put your favourite frock on because sunset at Bommie Deck is the only way to spend your last night on this gorgeous island. Nothing but good tunes, delicious cocktails and breathtaking views wait for you. We then headed into Bommie Restaurant for a contemporary three-course dinner where I’m pretty sure my eyes were too big for my belly but my goodness – yum!
DAY FOUR
7am- The views from the top of Passage Peak deserve to been seen in the early hours (trust me, that’s early on island time). This hike might take you 45min-1hr to get to the top but the view is magic. The sun dances across the ocean turning it to liquid gold. You might be sharing this view with only a handful of early risers but you’re all thinking the same thing….yep that was well worth it. Make sure you scout the different viewing points once you’re at the top because you’ll see the Whitsundays in all her glory.
9am- We took to the beach for our first time during our stay and found a trio of palms to enjoy our last few hours under. This was a gentle reminder that sometimes a last minute planned holiday is just what the soul needs.
KATE WEARS
Dinner at Coca Chu: Dress Bec & Bridge, David Jones, Westfield Kotara, Bag Mimco, Jewellery Mimco, Westfield Kotara
Hamilton Island Golf Course: Dress Auguste the Label David Jones, Westfield Kotara, Jewellery Mimco, Westfield Kotara
Lunch at Qualia Resort: Dress Bec & Bridge, David Jones, Westfield Kotara, Bag Mimco, Jewellery Mimco,
Drinks at Bommie Deck: Dress Shona Joy exclusive to David Jones, available at Westfield Kotara
