29 Apr 2025
Tags: #TheSundaysHotel, #CatseyePoolClub, #hamiltonisland, #greatbarrierreef
Hamilton Island, one of Australia's most beloved holiday destinations, has opened the doors to its newest boutique hotel The Sundays—now welcoming guests to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
The new 59-room property offers a fresh take on tropical island stays—just steps from the Coral Sea.
“The Sundays brings something truly special to Hamilton Island—an elevated boutique escape that welcomes families and reflects the warm, laidback, uniquely Australian style of hospitality Hamilton Island is known for,” says Nick Dowling, CEO of Hamilton Island.
The Sundays has been designed in a gentle dialogue with its surroundings —from sculptural stonework and tropical gardens to a meandering boardwalk that leads to the hotel's private beach. Designer Carrie Williams has created relaxed, contemporary spaces where natural textures and a soft coastal palette frame sweeping Whitsunday views. Each room includes a balcony or terrace, while custom artworks by local First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg reflect the colours and stories of the Whitsundays. Thoughtful, premium amenities—including those designed for younger travellers—enhance the overall experience.
Guests can enjoy exclusive complimentary sunrise yoga, moonlit movies or simply daily Sundays Sundaes by the guest-only pool and beach. The hotel also offers easy access to Hamilton Island's array of facilities and some of the Reef's most iconic sights – Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.
At its heart is Catseye Pool Club, the hotel's signature restaurant and bar by acclaimed Australian culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland. Open for lunch and dinner to all visitors, the menu celebrates seasonal Australian produce and a relaxed, share style approach to island dining – including a breezy poolside menu that channels effortless holiday vibes. Breakfast is reserved exclusively for guests of The Sundays. The cocktail list, curated by Sam Cocks, known for his work at Saint Peter Bar, is world-class: elevated yet playful, and perfect for poolside sipping or sundowners by the sea.
“Many of our guests first visited Hamilton Island as children, and now they're returning with their own children and grandchildren to experience the magic all over again,” adds Dowling.
“The Sundays is part of Hamilton Island's ongoing evolution—reimagined for today's traveller on the site of one of the island's original hotels. Over the years we've evolved our accommodation, dining, and experiences to reflect what our guests are looking for. Those who've been returning for decades know that you don't need to travel far to tick off a bucket-list destination—the Great Barrier Reef is right here on our doorstep.”
The Sundays is a new way to relax, reconnect and experience Australia's tropical island. It complements Hamilton Island's diverse range of accommodation, including self-catered holiday homes, family-friendly hotels and bungalows, the adults only Beach Club, and the internationally acclaimed luxury retreat, qualia.
Media Assets
Photo credits: Image 1 - Christopher Pearce; Images 3, 6-8, 37 - Sharyn Cairns; all other images - Kara Rosenlund 2025
Media enquiries
Hamilton Island
The Sundays x Josh Niland enquiries
Niki Waldegrave - 0410 898 863
Lauren Donohoe – 0434 083 369
Josh and Julie Niland enquiries
Monica Brown, Lotus Land
Notes for editors
About Hamilton Island
- Hamilton Island is Australia's tropical island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, offering a range of accommodation options, from self-catering holiday homes and apartments to luxury hotels, more than 20 casual and fine-dining restaurant options, 2 spas, a 300+ berth marina, and over 65 tours and activities.
- The Sundays is Hamilton Island's newest boutique hotel, complementing the luxury adults-only qualia and boutique beachfront Beach Club, as well as the family-friendly Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows.
- The only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, Hamilton Island is easily accessible via direct flights (under 2.5 hours) from major Australian East Coast cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as direct boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.
- Visitors to Hamilton Island can experience the best of Australia's natural beauty—calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna, and a year-round average temperature of 27C degrees.
- Hamilton Island is the gateway to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef including two of its most iconic natural wonders. Whitehaven Beach—crowned Lonely Planet's World's Best Beach 2025—is just a 30-minute high-speed catamaran ride away. Heart Reef, with its vibrant coral and marine life and heart-shaped lagoon, is accessible by helicopter to Hamilton Island's private pontoon.
- The Whitsundays are one of only two sites in Australia designated as a Whale Heritage site by the World Cetacean Alliance, hosting thousands of humpback whales annually.
- With over 20 kilometres of unspoiled nature trails and secluded coves to explore, guests can immerse themselves in Hamilton Island's natural beauty, discovering sandy coves and encountering Australia's unique flora and fauna.
- Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the Hamilton Island Golf Club – the only golf course in Australia on its own island. Designed by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson on neighbouring Dent Island, Hamilton Island Golf Club and its Clubhouse restaurant are just a short scenic ferry-ride away.
- For those seeking wellness, Hamilton Island offers an abundance of activities, from sunrise yoga and park run to a fully equipped gym with instructor-led classes. The island's Spa wumurdaylin provides a sanctuary for relaxation, offering rejuvenating treatments and therapies.
- Hamilton Island plays host to a year-round calendar of highly-anticipated events including Hamilton Island Race Week - the largest offshore keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, as well as pas de deux in Paradise – a collaborative project between The Australian Ballet and qualia, running biannually on Pebble Beach at Hamilton Island's luxury resort qualia.
- Established in 1982, Hamilton Island has received over $400 million in improvements since it was acquired by Australia's Oatley family in 2003, including the construction of the 18-hole golf course and the Peter Barda-designed Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
- Tourism visitation to the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 2023 totalled approximately 2 million visitor days.
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