Discover the Ultimate Guide to Transportation: Getting Here and Around

Arriving on Hamilton Island is effortless, whether you opt for transport by air, sea, or land. The island boasts its own airport - the only commercial airport in the Whitsundays - and services direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar.

Private Flights

Hamilton Island Air offers air transfers from the Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine and Whitsunday Airport in Shute Harbour, which fly directly to Hamilton Island. For more information or to make a booking, visit www.hamiltonislandair.com.

Private charter flights can be arranged from any location within Australia. Please contact the Hamilton Island Airport via email for more information.

Ferry

Ferries to Hamilton Island operate frequently from Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour on the mainland. Long-term parking is available at Port of Airlie terminals, as well as other parking facilities within the precinct. Coaches run to Airlie Beach if travelling from Brisbane, Townsville, or Cairns and arrive at the Port of Airlie transport terminal, located right beside the Port of Airlie ferry departure point.

The Spirit of Queensland commutes five times a week, return, between Brisbane and Cairns and Proserpine, with coach connections available for both the Port of Airlie and Hamilton Island ferries. For more information, visit www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au or call 1800 872 467.

The drive from Brisbane to Shute Harbour, covering a distance of 1,100km up north, takes around 12 hours non-stop. Follow the Bruce Highway to Proserpine, and take the exit to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour along the coast. Long-term parking is available at the Shute Harbour and Port of Airlie terminals, as well as other parking facilities in the precinct.

Passenger Ferries

Cruise Whitsundays offers limited ferry service to Hamilton Island, departing from Shute Harbour at 6.30am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. Tickets for travel can be purchased on board the vessel. For Cruise Whitsundays information and updates, please visit www.cruisewhitsundays.com/island-transfers/. The Hamilton Island Marina operates passenger ferry services, offering more than a dozen services throughout the day, traveling the 60-minute voyage from Airlie Beach, departing from two convenient locations - either the Port of Airlie Marina or Shute Harbour, just south of Airlie Beach. Tour operators who offer trips to Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and other Whitsunday Islands also leave from the marina.

You can view the Cruise Whitsundays Ferry Timetable between Hamilton Island and the mainland online, or you can call (07) 4846 7000 or email [email protected].

Private Boats

Hamilton Island's Marina provides a welcoming haven for yachties sailing to the island, offering boatyard services such as provisioning, fuel supply, a full chandlery, as well as access to resort amenities such as a world-class spa, restaurants, and shopping.

To get in touch with the team at the Marina, give them a call at 07 4946 8353, send an email over to [email protected], or use the Online Marina booking request form to secure your spot. Day visitors can easily radio in upon arrival on VHF Ch 68. For more information on Hamilton Island Marina, click through here.

If you're arriving via ferry for a day visit or extended stay, you'll find that there are plenty of options for parking in Airlie Beach. There are free parking areas available in the region that are regularly patrolled, as well as several paid parking locations that are conveniently situated near Airlie Beach Main Street and the broader area. Here are the closest parking stations to Port of Airlie, complete with indicative pricing:

• - Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal Car Park: $3 for 2 hours, $5 for 2-4 hours, for 4-12 hours, $10 for 12-24 hours or $10 per day.
• - Port of Airlie Car Park: for 2-4 hours, $11 for 4-12 hours and $16 for 12-24 hours.