HAMILTON Island Race Week celebrates 40 years this August – marking four decades of world-class sailing, exceptional food and wine, and sun-soaked revelry on a tropical island.
Presented for the first time by American Express, the 2025 regatta runs from 16 – 23 August, with a lineup of unmissable world-class experiences and events, both on-water and on-shore.
To celebrate, there is a raft of special events being organised, with the ticketed events open to everyone and going on sale on June 23.
What began as a niche offshore sailing regatta, in 1984, has evolved into a week-long festival of sport, style and island culture – attracting crews, star chefs, celebrities, and spectators from around the country and abroad.
While the regatta remains the focal point—with some of the world’s best crews competing in spectacular Whitsundays conditions—it is by no means a week just for sailors.
Guests can wander the buzzing marina village, relax with a picnic on Catseye Beach, or indulge in an array of ticketed events including beachfront garden parties, superyacht cruises, wine masterclasses, world-class musical performances, and long island lunches curated by some of Australia’s most celebrated chefs—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Whitsundays.
Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said:
“Race Week’s 40th anniversary is a landmark moment.
“What began as a simple sailing competition has become a spectacle of sail racing, culinary excellence, and island fun.
“It’s not just about sailing the most picturesque course in the world – it’s about celebrating everything that makes Hamilton Island so special – world-class experiences, a vibrant food and wine scene, and the incredible atmosphere and camaraderie that events like Race Week bring to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Event Highlights Include:
• La Dolce Vita Lunch by the Sea with Will Cowper presented by American Express (17 August): OTTO Brisbane’s Executive Chef brings his signature flair to an indulgent modern Italian lunch on the shores of Pebble Beach, qualia.
• The Island Welcome: Beachfront Garden Party at Catseye Beach (17 August): A sun-kissed afternoon of gourmet grazing, live music and chic seaside vibes, beginning with a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne on arrival and views over the turquoise waters of Catseye Bay.
• Front Row with Impulsive Superyacht (17, 19 and 22 August): Front-row seats to the on-water action aboard a 130-foot luxury yacht, complete with Champagne and canapés.
• An Italian Evening with Tanqueray (19 August): A spirited celebration of Italian coastal cuisine—served with a generous splash of Tanqueray gin with a marina backdrop.
• Whitehaven Afloat with Impulsive Superyacht (20 August): A playful day of snorkelling, gourmet food, floating slides, and barefoot fun aboard Superyacht Impulsive at the world’s best beach.
• Lunch on the Greens at Hamilton Island Golf Club (21 August): A three-course long lunch, featuring seasonal local produce, fine wine, live tunes and incredible Dent Passage views.
• Wine Stories with Larry Cherubino at Bommie (21 August): An exclusive wine tasting with one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers, and a special drop to take home.
• Under the Stars: A Beachside Dinner with Alanna Sapwell-Stone and Larry Cherubino (21 August): A four-course coastal feast on Catseye Beach, paired with WHIPBIRD wines and storytelling by the winemaker himself.
• The Sundays Long Lunch with Josh Niland presented by MECCA Cosmetica (22 August): A relaxed island-style long lunch at The Sundays’ signature restaurant, Catseye Pool Club where one of Australia’s most influential chefs takes centre stage.
Event tickets are available at:
The ‘Ultimate’ Race Week
For those seeking the ultimate Race Week, qualia and new boutique hotel, The Sundays, offer exclusive curated experiences – from private chef-led beach lunches and candlelit degustations, to intimate performances, such as a special appearance by internationally acclaimed soprano Amy Manford.
Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Member Experience at American Express Naysla Edwards said:
“We’re thrilled to be the presenting partner for the 40th anniversary of Hamilton Island Race Week.
“American Express is dedicated to offering our Card Members exclusive access to premier events and we look forward to bringing our signature touch to this iconic regatta and week-long festivities.”
Whether you’re racing, relaxing, or raising a glass, Hamilton Island Race Week 2025 is your invitation to trade winter for warm seas, Champagne moments, and sun-soaked indulgence.
You don’t have to be a sailor to be part of the action. Hamilton Island’s Winter Saver Offer is available during Race Week.
Stay three nights or more and save 20 per cent on stays at the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows, Beach Club and The Sundays.
Event Tickets
The complete Race Week program of ticketed events will be available for sale on the Hamilton Island Race Week website on 23 June 2025.
Exclusive packages are on sale now.
Hamilton Island Ultimate Race Week Packages
Book a three-night Hamilton Island Race Week Experience at qualia here.
About Hamilton Island Race Week
• Hamilton Island Race Week has been a highlight of the Australian sailing calendar for decades. The late Mr. Bob Oatley, an avid sailor, famously acquired Hamilton Island while competing in the regatta more than 20 years ago. Today, the Oatley family continues to uphold his legacy.
• Now in its 40th year, Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s largest offshore sailing regatta, attracting more than 200 yachts – from high-performance yachts to trailer-pulled family favourites – and their crews from across the country and around the world.
Established in 1984, it is one of the most anticipated events on the sporting and social calendar, offering a unique blend of high-performance sailing and premium onshore hospitality in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
