Whitsunday Islands

[Lily Dust]

Looking at a holiday with DD in 2012 and we are looking at Hamilton Island...Is that the only Island in the Whitsundays you can fly directly to?

Anyone who has been to Hamilton, any recommendations?

TIA

[WeeMansMummy]

It is the only island to fly directly to as far as i know, maybe check Linderman?? But you can transfer to any other island from there, altho it would be alot cheaper to fly to prossapine and go from there.
Ive been to Long island and daydream. Daydream is very child friendly and alot more to do.
Good luck!

[feeb]

We went to long island on our honeymoon and had a ball!

Were looking at Hamilton island recently but sooooooooo expensive even with kids being free accom and meals at selected places.

[Taurean]

Yep, that's correct, it is the only one with direct flights with a major airline ie Jetstar. You can however fly to other islands on small charter planes (more so in far nth QLD) and get heli-transfers to Hayman but that's a pricey island

Hamilton is a great family island with loads to do and various accommodation options. It's easy to day trip from Hamilton to other islands or the likes of Whitehaven Beach which is breath taking!

I'd highly recommend Hamilton for a family holiday. Enjoy!

[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