This is Hamilton Island and her sister Dent Island, in the Whitsundays, North Queensland, Australia.
Welcome to the most gorgeous place in the world!! ..... (okay, I’m a bit biased) but it’s pretty bloody amazing!
Latitude: 20°21'6.06"S
Longitude: 148°56'55.51"E
History:
The islands were all originally mountain ranges formed by volcanic activity, and after our last ice age approximately thirty to fifty thousand years ago the seas rose, leaving only the peaks of the highest mountain tops behind, thus creating the islands that we see today.
Hamilton Island is one of the 74 islands formally named “The Cumberland Group” and referred to these days as the Whitsunday Islands. (Wikipedia is incorrect, as they state there are 70 islands). It is recorded in a doubtful history as being discovered by Dutch navigator Willem Janzsoon in 1605, and then by Captain Cook in 1770, but I’m pretty sure the local aboriginal tribe (who were clearly there first) were the ones who really discovered the islands. They were the Ngaru people. Apparently forcibly taking, slaying and dominating a land occupied by someone else, is discovery!! Who would have known! It seems to be a bully history everywhere you look, although I digress! (HIS- story! )Pfft.
Anyway, I’m not going to go into the semantics, but I'd rather tell you some modern history, of Hamilton Island itself, as in who developed it after the aboriginal people were invaded. Feel free to read some more on the history in the link below.
The history of the Whitsunday Islands
Modern History
Hamilton Island is the most developed and inhabited island in the Whitsundays and is still 70% National Park. Keith Williams and Bryan Bryt purchased the island in 1975 and began developing in 1978. Progress was kicking along with developments being opened in separate stages between 1982 and 1984. Keith’s dream was alive and kicking until one year later in 1985 a fire destroyed most of the developments that made up his newly accomplished complex. This was completely rebuilt and reopened two years later in 1986.
This photograph is taken from Dent Island looking on to Hamilton Island.
Some history on Hamilton Island
The island went into receivership in 1992 and the renowned and self-made Australian winemaker 'Bob Oatley' bought the island in 2003. The story goes, that Bob Oatley cruised past the island on his yacht while Keith was developing it, and he noted what a marvelous place he thought it was. He never dreamed that he would own it some years later on. When he purchased it he continued to develop the island into one of the most impressively self-sufficient resort islands you could ever see. Bob Oatley sadly died only a short time ago, in 2016. He is sadly missed by his family and his staff, who continue to run the island in his absence.
Hamilton Island Airport is the bottom right of the picture.
Hamilton Island is an unbelievable credit to this man, providing employment to a large number of locals and international workers in the Whitsundays area. It boasts incredible self-sufficiency with its elaborate infrastructure. The island is like its own miniature world. They have a water catchment area on the neighbouring “Dent Island”, and a water treatment plant providing all the water for the island, both for drinking and irrigation. They have their own school, kindergarten, medical facility, church, quarry, sewerage plant, bus services, an airport, fire brigade, resident police, world-class marina, and security. The list does go on and on. We all drive electric golf buggies, that are all subject to Australian driving laws, and while the speed limit is only 30km/ph and the buggies are governed, don't be fooled, it is still possible to receive a fine for breaking laws. They have their own postcode, garbage collection and hell, they even have their own wine! They can generate their own power too, via massive generators, although 22km of cable lies across the seabed hooking into to the mainland's supply. When cyclone Debbie hit, the island was without power for 6 hours, whereas the mainland took 3 weeks to restore their power supplies.
So let's start at the top because that's just a good place to start!
Qualia
Qualia is the jewel of Hamilton Island, it is a gated six-star resort on the northern end of Hamilton Island, and it's for societies elite. It has 60 architecturally designed pavilions for the guests, and if your super special we have the Beach House, which I refer to as the rockstar pad ( 
You may arrive by helicopter! There is a helipad on the grounds for those who need direct entry due to their impressive social standing! Or perhaps a guest may not want to enjoy a short but scenic boat ride to Whitehaven Beach, so you may be choppered over and dropped off for a picnic, or to maybe go to The Great Barrier Reef. It's Qualia, they will endeavor to fill your heart desires. To be six-star, it must also include a PGA approved golf course. They couldn’t fit that on Hamilton Island, so all you do is pop across by boat or helicopter to the sister island, Dent. It's just across the passage to have a round of golf. This island is fringing with the bee's knee's golf balls, and the golfer's always laughing at having left a plethora of golf balls in ‘shark park.’ This place needs to be seen to be believed. I have seen so much of the Whitsundays and I truly believe the views from Dent Island are the best I have ever seen.
They have a six-star clubhouse with restaurant and bar, and chef's and staff to match the six- star panoramic views. So even if you are not into golf, then leave the hubby or the wife on the golf course while you enjoy some culinary delights.
Qualia means:
(PLURAL NOUN) Philosophy (Latin)
“The internal and subjective component of sense perceptions, arising from stimulation of the senses by phenomena.” (the Oxford Living Dictionary
Qualia is renowned for it peace and privacy, and therefore out of respect (and my employment agreement), I cannot take photo’s to show you. So here is a link instead. It will show you what the powers that be want you to see.
Qualia pics through the resort link
An impressive list of very famous guests have stayed here but out of respect, they will remain nameless, just in case, I'm breaking any rules in my employment contract. I don't want to get the sack!!
After a recent cyclone here named TC Debbie in March 2017, I was fortunate enough to stay at Qualia as I worked on the restoration. There was some intense pulling together to restore her to her six-star glory and I am happy to report, she is back better than ever. I am grateful to have been part of the team to restore her! It was beautiful even as a building site! So that was the 'needle in the haystack' bonus of the cyclone for me! When Qualia opened 9 years ago, she was the worlds no. 1 resort. In my opinion, she’s still up there with the best.
So that’s the most exclusive part of the island off the list, now let’s get down to the other amazing facilities on the island!
The major hotels are:
Beach Club - 5 star
Whitsunday Apartments
Palm Bungalows
Reef View
And there is another 143 places for accommodation on the island, both owned by Hamilton Island Enterprises, and privately. So clearly I’m not going to list them all!! It definitely accommodates all walks of life and gives you all a chance to experience the joys of island life.
To the say the Oatley family are big on boating is a massive understatement, and for three years in a row they have narrowly missed out on winning the Sydney to Hobart, a very prestigious yacht race in Australia.
Hamilton Island Audi Race Week
By far and large, the most important event on the Island's calendar is 'Hamilton Island's Audi Race Week'. Even after cyclone Debbie, we achieved the deadlines to ensure the show went on. There is a buzz for months before as we all race around and prepare for what is the grandest operation for this little town. We pull together as a team to put on an event we are very proud of, all playing our part in the big production that is 'Race Week'.
The marina fills with boats that make your jaw hit the floor, the magnificence of these vessels are so grand! Such opulence and decadence! Audi’s are escorting all the special guests, Paspaley Pearls usually do an amazing event in Qualia, no expense is spared. Nothing is left to chance, everything is prepared and polished for the esteemed event. Anyone and everyone in the yatchie world want to be there! It is the event of all events!
Hamilton island events calendar
Hamilton Island holidays and events
There is just so much to do, with the Great Barrier reef on our doorstep, Whitehaven beach and the famous Hill inlet just around the corner, local snorkeling destinations, loads of beach activities restaurants and pools. There are bush walks and an animal reserve, and hell, why not take a stroll down the aisle in the church and get married while your here!! We do plenty of I do's!! If that seems a bit extreme rest assured, we have plenty of other things to do.
Things to do on Hamilton Island
The island has approximately 1500 staff, who are captained by the most personable of CEO's, Mr. Glen Burke, an Australian Olympic sailor, and a really great bloke. The staff on the island come from every walk of life bringing a diversity to the island that makes it very rich in culture and ensures you never feel too far from home.
So maybe you will want to visit, or come here and for work, like me. There is every kind of job you could imagine, just as there is in the real world…. But this is just so beautiful, it's tiny but personal, and grand. It is a wonderful lifestyle and I would encourage every one of you to put us on your bucket list. Now is the time to come and see the Great Barrier Reef, it is one of the seven wonders of the world, so bring your kids, your family and friends. Put it on your bucket list.
Drink some Oatley wine, watch them race the big 'Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race', then pack your bags and come and visit us! It's a world-class venue, and definitely worth your time. There are other islands too, and the gorgeous mainland of Airlie Beach. I could go on and on about where I live, but I will save it for another post. First I had to show you where I work. I hope you're feeling a little teased, so much so that I hope I have inspired you to come and have a tropical holiday amongst the wonderful people who make this Island so great. It will be a trip you won't forget! Come and make some memories and fill your camera up. As you can see it is a photographers delight! I still can't stop taking photo's and I pinch myself daily at the fact that this is where I live!
Follow me @steemsausage - all images by me!
