The main hub for the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island. It's where we greeted and dropped off our guests (the Bergquists) and spent several days enjoying what the island had to offer. Hamilton Island is quite the tourist destination - akin to Mackinaw Island in upper Michigan.
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| Main Street |
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Like Mackinaw, the local mode of transportation is golf carts (they call them "buggies" here) and the three-block long main street is littered with overpriced restaurants (although good restaurants compared to elsewhere in Australia that we've experienced). The climate and access to the Great Barrier Reef is the island's attraction, on which charter boats, dive shops and the like have capitalized. For this reason, the area's major airport is located on the island - in view of the marina which was fun because we could watch the flights as they arrived and departed daily.
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| Hamilton Island Golf Resort |
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| Bear bowling |
Hamilton Island had all the expected tourist activities, some in which we partook. Eric and Bear had a thrilling ride in go-carts (we fibbed about Bear's age so he could drive his own cart - minimum age was eleven). When our friends were here, the boys all played mini-golf and enjoyed the public pools. They had kids activities in which Bear participated: tennis, bowling and basketball (which was cancelled due to weather so they played ping-pong). Across the bay at the neighboring island, there was a world-class golf course which Eric and I played one afternoon. It was fun to play tourist for a while.
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| Yacht Club |
The marina and yacht club were a pleasant surprise for us. Our slip was in the center of town - directly across the street from the grocery store (how convenient!) and the post office. It was a great place to be - except for the multitude of people who came down to ask, "Did you drive that boat over from the US or put it on a ship?" It was quaint and friendly at first, but when we were asked for a tour, I'd had enough! The marina people were exceptionally nice and the Yacht Club was spectacular, even though extremely overpriced. The building resembled a manta ray! The contours and lines were somewhat reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House. We were impressed!
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| Lorikeet |
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One of the cool phenomena of the island were the birds, although I believe the locals saw them as a nuisance. The macaws and lorikeets combed the area unabashedly looking for easy eats of dropped french fries (excuse me, chips, as they are known here) and discarded sandwiches. Tourists didn't help the situation as they gave into the temptation to toss food their way in attempt to see them up-close. This only exasperated the problem. The birds became so numerous and aggressive that the local authority took action. On occasion, they patrolled with a resident bald eagle - in their buggy, no less! One ride up and down the street with the eagle, and the birds disappeared for days! But it didn't deter the hundreds of flying foxes (large fruit bats) that only appeared for a half hour at sunset swarming the tree tops above town.
We enjoyed Hamilton Island, but only for a brief reprieve into "touristville" and a convenient access point. For those cruising this way, I'd allow three days and move on.
