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There's so much to consider when picking the ideal accommodation on Queensland's Hamilton Island; that's why we've brought together our top holiday home sites that will have you booked in no time. From uninterrupted views of the coastline to homes that won't break the bank, we've got you covered.
Where to book holiday homes in Hamilton Island
Stayz: Best for number of options
Not only will you not be short on options, but you will enjoy instant confirmation, free cancellations and virtual tours when you book with Stayz.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees are included in the price
You’ll need to pay for your stay on a date set by your host
HomeAway: Best for coastal locations
Holiday with added flexibility when booking with HomeAway, from free cancellation closer to the booking period and 24-hour confirmation.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees are included in the price
You’ll need to pay for your stay on a date set by your host
Booking.com: Best for groups
Browse through a multitude of stays that can host you and your friends or family that include large decks, entertainment spaces and extra buggies for hire with Booking.com.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees are included in the price
You’ll need to pay for your stay on a date set by your host
HotelsCombined: Best for luxury stays
Get the best of both worlds with luxury apartments and freebies. Enjoy your choice of free cancellation, breakfast, parking, Internet and airport transfers with HotelsCombined.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees are included in the price
You’ll need to pay for your stay on a date set by your host
HomeExchange: Best for lower prices
Save yourself some extra dollars on your next trip to the Whitsunday Coast when you book a vacation rental with Home Exchange.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees are included in the price
You'll need to become a HomeExchange member which gives you unlimited stays for a year
Airbnb: Best for stays with views
Getting yourself a picture-perfect view is easy with Airbnb's range of homes, apartments, townhouses, condominiums and villas on Hamilton Island.
Free cancellations
Taxes and fees aren’t always included in the price
You’ll need to pay for your stay upon booking
How did we pick these Hamilton Island stays?
Our editorial team selected these Hamilton Island stays on this list based on price, location and real customer feedback from booking sites and review platforms. Where applicable, we used our own personal experiences in Hamilton Island to make recommendations.
We compared dozens of stays from top brands like Stayz, Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com to find the best of the best.
We put ourselves in your shoes and considered what most travellers would look for in a hotel, whether it's proximity to the CBD, local attractions, public transport or the amenities available for guests.
We read reviews from real guests on sites such as Tripadvisor and Google as well as travel sections of newspapers and magazines.
When possible, we'll include first-hand reviews from our visits to the stays we've recommended.
Resort Drive for beaches: If you plan to spend your days by the beach then we recommend finding accommodation on Resort Drive. This will have you within a few minutes' walking distance to Catseye Beach.
Near the marina for watersports: For accommodation that is closer to the Whitsundays group tour meeting spots, we suggest looking into stays that are within a couple of minutes of the marina. This will especially come in handy if you're briefly visiting and have earlier departures.
Resort Drive for family-friendly activities: The Hamilton Island Wildlife Park is a must-see if you're bringing the kids along. Book your accommodation on Resort Drive to be within walking distance of the park – you'll also have mini golf just moments away.
Catseye Beach for bars and restaurants: You'll want to organise a stay on the north side of the island as that's where the majority of food and drink bars are located. Catseye Beach hosts a plethora of bars as well as the marina bay.
Cheap Hamilton Island holiday homes
Accommodation on the cheaper side is scattered throughout Hamilton Island, with most being located on the northern or central ends of the island.
Although there are stays available for under $300 a night, Hamilton Island is not the most budget-friendly destination. Keep in mind that on average, one night on the island costs around $550. The great news is, the following accommodation options sit on the lower end of the scale but still offer guests the full Hamilton Island experience. Enjoy large outdoor spaces with the Three Bedroom Villa or Bella Vista, as well as those famous ocean views that redefine paradise from all three stays.
We've found that the higher-end stays are situated in the northern part of the island, close to the marina.
You'll find all three of these stays are within walking distance of the island's hotspots, have high levels of privacy and their own balconies/decks. The Woodland and Kaylan homes host large outdoor entertaining areas with dining space and BBQs. They'll also have you waking up to uninterrupted ocean views with multiple bedrooms. During your stay you'll have access to at least one free buggy or airport transfers.
Hamilton Island doesn't host pet-friendly accommodation directly on the island. However, there are stays located in Airlie Beach or Jubilee Pocket that welcome your furry friends.
The area is great for keeping your pets active, with off-leash areas including Shingley Beach (eastern end), Galbraith Park, Cannonvale Beach (eastern end) and Bicentennial Park. Caravan parks such as BIG4 and motor lodges allow pets for an extra charge. For those of you after a home with a backyard, we suggest the Whitsunday Palms as there is a large, grassed area as well as high fences to close off the property.
Is it legal to stay at a holiday home on Hamilton Island?
Yes. You are allowed to stay in a holiday home on Hamilton Island, but there is a limit of groups of 20 and social distancing still applies.
What do I need to bring to a holiday home in Hamilton Island?
Your stay on Hamilton Island will require a couple things, including:
Swimmers/swimsuit
Beach towel
Hat/sunglasses
Walking sneakers
What should I consider when I'm staying in a holiday home in Hamilton?
If you're looking to book on Hamilton Island, we recommend looking out for stays with:
A view of the ocean: Nothing beats having your morning coffee to the beautiful Whitsunday Coast.
Air conditioning: The island can be incredibly humid, so save yourself the discomfort and make sure you have central air within the home/apartment.
Buggy included: It's the main mode of transportation on the island and since most stays offer a free buggy with the apartment, why pay for something you don't have to?
Towels supplied: You'll be spending most of the days lounging by the pool or ocean so it doesn't hurt to have a few extra towels that you don't have to lug around in your luggage.
On-site BBQ: Not the most obvious option, but having a BBQ is not only the perfect way to end the day but also is a great money saver instead of eating out.
Transfers to and from the terminal: Some home owners will offer to personally pick you up, take you to your stay and return you to the terminal. It saves you having to wait for transport as well as organising it.
How do I get to my holiday home?
Hamilton Island has both an airport and ferry terminal. Some hosts will offer pick-ups and drop-offs to and from the airport so you don't have to worry about finding your way around. In the instance that this isn't an option, the Hamilton Island Buggy Hire is only a five-minute walk from the terminals on Resort Drive.
Tamara Medojevic is a graduate travel writer at Finder and works to make sure you’re getting the most for your dollar. She graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Journalism. Tamara believes that travelling is an experience that can be enjoyed on all budgets. She loves writing and can be found immersed in poetry on her days off.
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Hamilton Island
Stayz
Booking.com
