Whitsunday island resorts
Only a handful of the 74 islands carry resorts — and each has a distinct personality, from a full-facility island village to a solar-powered eco-retreat for twenty guests. Here's how the four resort islands compare, so you can pick the one that fits your trip.
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is the most developed of the islands — effectively a small resort village with its own airport, a marina, a range of hotels from family apartments to the five-star qualia, restaurants, pools, beaches, buggy transport and a full slate of activities (plus golf on neighbouring Dent Island). It's the easiest island to reach and the best all-round base for families and first-timers who want everything on the doorstep.
Daydream & Hayman
Daydream Island Resort is compact and family-focused, a short ferry from the mainland, with an outdoor "Living Reef" lagoon of rays, fish and coral that kids love. At the other end of the scale, Hayman Island — InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is the Whitsundays' flagship luxury resort: a secluded, service-led island escape for couples and discerning families, and a byword for barefoot glamour.
Long Island
Long Island, close to the mainland and cloaked in rainforest, offers two very different stays. Elysian Retreat is a tiny, solar-powered, adults-only eco-luxury resort of around twenty guests — one of Australia's most intimate island escapes. Palm Bay Resort is more relaxed, with bungalows and a laid-back barefoot feel, and welcomes day visitors (16+). Between them they suit honeymooners and quiet-seekers alike.
Island resorts: your questions
It depends on your style. Hamilton Island suits families and those wanting the most facilities, restaurants and activities (and direct flights). Daydream Island is family-friendly and closest to the mainland. Hayman Island (InterContinental) is the flagship for luxury and romance. Long Island offers intimate eco-luxury (Elysian, adults-only) or relaxed bungalows (Palm Bay). Not sure? We'll match you to the right island.
Hamilton Island and Daydream Island are the family favourites. Hamilton has pools, beaches, a wide range of accommodation, kids' activities and buggy transport; Daydream has its outdoor "Living Reef" and is a short, easy ferry from the mainland. Both are set up for children and multi-generational groups.
No — Hayman Island (InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef) is the region's flagship luxury resort and welcomes couples and families alike; it's known for high-end service rather than being adults-only. On Long Island, only Elysian Retreat is strictly adults-only; Palm Bay is more relaxed and family-friendly.
Hamilton Island has its own airport with direct flights, plus a ferry from the Port of Airlie. Daydream, Hayman and Long Island are reached by ferry or launch transfer from the mainland (Port of Airlie / Coral Sea Marina), or via Hamilton Island. We can arrange the flights and transfers as part of your trip.
Some islands welcome day visitors — for example Daydream Island and Hamilton Island can be visited on day trips or as part of island-hopping itineraries, and Palm Bay on Long Island accepts day guests (16+). Others, like Hayman and Elysian, are for staying guests only. Whitehaven Beach and the national-park islands are day-visited by tour.