SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELLING - Hamilton Island is a scuba divers’ and snokellers’ paradise whether it’s on the Great Barrier Reef, off a local beach or a neighbouring island. Free introductory lessons are available, as well as dive master courses, through H20 Sportz www.h2osportz.com.au

GOLFING – The Hamilton Island Golf Club is Australia’s only championship golf course situated on its own island. Open to golfers of all levels, this par 71 championship course boasts fantastic views and a bracing sea air. Golfers can play nine or 18 holes on the course designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson. The course is located on Dent Island, a five minute boat ride from Hamilton Island.

Meanwhile for families with young golfers, Hamilton Island offers mini golf and an aquatic driving range where the objective is to hit the balls into the water!

To CUDDLE A KOALA guests need only head for Hamilton Island Wildlife Park. This is one of only a few places in the world where visitors can cuddle a koala and then take home a photograph recording the experience. Oprah Winfrey did exactly this when she stayed on the Island. There are also other furry marsupials, creepy-crawlies, birds and reptiles to meet, not to mention the resident crocodile.

PAMPERING & MASSAGING – Should all these activities prove exhausting and pampering needs to be added into the mix, newly opened Spa Wumurdaylin (“woo-mer-day-lin”) is the place to go. With 11 treatment rooms, including three couples suites, the comprehensive spa menu offers body cocoon wraps, exfoliations, facials, massages, body treatments, manicures, pedicures and alternative therapies such as naturopath consultations and reiki treatments. Additional features include wet rooms with seven-head Vichy showers or luxury rain showers.

FLIGHTSEEING – For some of the best views of the Great Barrier Reef, and to appreciate its sheer size and beauty, take a helicopter or seaplane flight for a truly amazing view of the planet’s largest living structure. www.avta.com.au

SAILING AND LEISURE CRUISING – The Whitsundays is one of the best regions in Australia to learn to sail. Sunsail’s Sailing Academy offers a wide range of accredited marine qualifications for yachts, catamarans and motorboats, with tuition for beginners and experienced sailors alike. www.sunsail.co.uk

Alternatively, guests can sit back and let someone else do all the hard work with many captained cruise options available. Shorter experiences include Cruise Indigo’s sunset cruise on board the classic yacht “The Banjo Paterson”. www.cruiseindigo.com.au

Whitehaven Beach is a popular sailing and cruising destination. World renowned for its pure silica sands, it is only a short boat ride away and is a must for beach lovers wanting to experience one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

BUSH WALKING – Hamilton Island can be explored on foot as there are many walking trails, all of which offer great bird spotting opportunities and sublime views. Bushwalking also presents visitors with the ideal opportunity to find their own private spot for a picnic.

QUADBIKING – For a quicker pace guests can negotiate the fire trails and tackle different terrain on a quad biking tour around the island. An exhilarating option for adults and children over 16, this is a fun way to explore the island. There is also an option for children under 16.

DEEP SEA FISHING – Guests with an interest in fishing will find great success in the waters around Hamilton Island. Experienced professionals, such as Renegade Charters, are happy to share their expertise and even help prepare the catch for the dinner table. www.renegadecharters.com.au

ADRENALIN SPORTS include water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and go-kart racing as well as:

• sea kayaking – options include moonlit paddles
• parasailing – both single and tandem flights are available
• ‘Adrenalin Rush’ involves hanging out on a trapeze on a high speed catamaran
• ‘Jetryder’ involves a 420 horse power 5.8 litre turbo charged diesel engine boat
• ‘Rush Doors Off’ is helicopter flight with the doors off

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

TARGET SPORTS allows guests to try their hand at firing a wide selection of different calibre firearms including 22 rifles and pistols and high powered semi-automatic pistols including Dirty Harry’s 44 magnum revolver.

PRICES & PASSES:

All activities can be booked individually while some are available in the form of ‘3 in 1’ passes. Two possible options include:

‘The Adventure Superpass’ is priced AUD$389 per person and includes:

• a jet-ski tour
• a heli rush flight
• quad biking

‘The Family Superpass’ is priced AUD$199 per family (2 adults/ 2 children) and includes:

TRAILFINDERS (Tel 0845 050 5892, www.trailfinders.com) offers seven nights on Hamilton Island in a Palm Bungalow from £1,449 per person. This price includes:

• One free night’s accommodation
• Free daily breakfast
• Free Whitehaven Beach experience
• International flights from Heathrow to Brisbane with Etihad Airways
• Domestic flights to Hamilton Island with Virgin Blue

This price is based on twin share and is subject to availability for selected June departures.

NOTE TO EDITORS - Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna.