HAMILTON Island is gearing up for Brisbane 2032 with new flights, a bold island refresh and elite sailing.
As the Whitsundays look to stage Olympic sailing at the 2032 Games, the island is embracing the future, with new direct flights from Cairns, a refreshed brand platform, and a multimillion-dollar transformation, including the official opening of boutique hotel The Sundays.
Through expanded access to the Whitsundays, the reimagining of accommodation, dining and experiences, the island is laying the groundwork to welcome the world.
The broader island transformation is well under way, including the ‘reimagining’ of the Hamilton Island Resort Centre (opening in December) and the launch of mountain biking, across more than 25 kilometres of nature trails.
Queensland’s Minister for the Environment and Tourism, the Hon. Andrew Powell, was on-island, on Friday (August 15, 2025), as the island marked the triple milestone.
It is also the 40th anniversary of Hamilton Island Race Week (August 17 to 23) – Australia’s largest offshore sailing regatta.
This year, it features a thrilling clash between the Australian and New Zealand elite 49er and 49erFX sailing teams.
These milestones follow the national launch of ‘A Little Island Can Do Wonders’, Hamilton Island’s new brand platform and creative campaign that signals a confident new era for the destination.
Starting on November 3, 2025, East Air’s year-round service will connect Cairns and Hamilton Island in just over an hour – a strategic boost to regional tourism and the surrounding island resorts of the Whitsundays.
The route is also expected to improve international access to the Whitsundays, connecting overseas arrivals via Cairns, directly to Hamilton Island, without requiring stopovers in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.
Passenger flights have not operated between Cairns and Hamilton Island since before the COVID pandemic, when almost 37,000 passengers per year were carried between the two popular destinations.
Speaking at the event, on Friday, Minister Powell said:
“Queensland is the home of the holiday and, with the world’s attention turning to the state in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s the perfect time to connect two of our most iconic destinations with direct flights.
“This delivers what we heard, repeatedly, through the development of our 20-year tourism vision Destination 2045 – the importance of making it easier to travel around the State, so more people can experience beautiful North Queensland.”
Minister Powell also officiated the formal opening of The Sundays, a relaxed 59-room boutique hotel perched above Catseye Beach, which first welcomed guests on April 24, 2025.
The hotel blends laidback luxury with warm, island hospitality and features Coral Sea views, original artworks by First Nations–Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg, and a guest-only pool and beach.
Its signature restaurant and bar, Catseye Pool Club, is helmed by acclaimed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland.
It serves generous, share-style dishes alongside Queensland-inspired cocktails in a vibrant, waters-edge setting.
This week, Hamilton Island also plays host to an array of culinary, sailing and social events, as part of the 40th Hamilton Island Race Week.
This year’s program features elite sailing, celebrated chefs, and curated experiences for all types of guests – from die-hard yachties to long-lunchers and families.
Highlights include the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49ers Exhibition Series, taking place 17–19 August – a thrilling exhibition clash between Australia and New Zealand’s elite sailing teams in the Olympic-class 49er and 49erFX skiffs.
The series offers spectators a sneak peek at the high-performance sailing excitement expected when the Whitsundays host Olympic sailing during Brisbane 2032.
Hamilton Island is building a future-ready destination — uniquely Australian, authentically local, and ready to welcome the world in 2032.
“Hamilton Island has always been a special part of Australia and we’re now evolving it for the future,” Nick Dowling said.
“This is about growing with purpose, welcoming the world, and showing how a little island can do wonders in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.
