Whitsunday Islands

[Junglemum]

You can charter a seaplane or a chopper to most of the islands, but in the whitsundays pretty sure Hamo is the only one with an air strip...
The boat trips to the islands are pretty short though. Most under an hour.

[dusty]

You can get cheap flights to Hammo at times and sometimes with all the transfers from Proserpine it can be cheaper and also a lot easier. Hammo is great for families. You can go through Hamilton Island Enterprises and stay in either in one of their hotels or a Whitsunday apartment (gorgeous views and self contained) plus a few other self contained options, or you can stay in private rentals like townhouses/villas which usually come with a golf buggy included. The real estate or booking agent on the island can help you there. If you stay in the HIE accommodation then as a PP said kids stay and eat free. There is good occasional child care available and they do great activities with the kids.
Depending on the time of year the price will probably vary alot.

Daydream is the other kid friendly island but I haven't stayed there.

[Lily Dust]

Thanks so much to you all! I have been searching these Islands and I thought Hamilton was it but wanted to double check. Checked Linderman too, thanks Hadnt even thought about Island hopping but that might me fun too. Reason I wanted to fly direct was because we honeymooned on Brampton and getting the was basically a logistical nightmare 4 hours in car to Sydney, 1.5 hours Sydney to Brisbane, 1.5 hours Brisbane to Makay, 20 minute bus trip and then 80 minute ferry trip, pheeew needed a holiday after that! DD isnt a great traveller now and Im having a few first time mum worries of a screaming and plane destroying 2 1/2 year old if it takes us 3 days to get there