The first thing that often comes to mind when someone mentions Hamilton Island is “couples trip”.
And while it is a great location to relax, unwind and enjoy some pretty spectacular sights and delicious food with your loved one – it’s equally as good enjoying it on your own.
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Great Berrier Reef for the first time in April — I know, it’s shameful it’s taken me this long to explore the magic of the reef.
On that trip, I also got to explore Hamilton Island, an Aussie hotspot that has long been on my radar, but has never come into fruition.
After just a short, scenic plane ride (about an hour) from Cairns, I arrived at Proserpine Airport (Whitsunday Coast) before hopping on a ferry and being escorted to the newly opened The Sundays.
If you want to bypass Cairns, it’s jst a two and a half-hour flight from Sydney on Qantas or Virgin Australia.
I spent three blissful nights at the luxe boutique hotel that opened its doors in only April last year.
My room was exactly what I’d hoped it’d be – spacious, with a balcony overlooking the ocean.
I was definitely in need of a mental break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and this hotel was already ticking all the necessary boxes.
After diving onto my king-size bed and soaking up the panoramic views of the endless blues of the ocean, I made my way over to the huge bathtub and enjoyed a glass of red as I continued my gaze into Catseye Bay.
I quickly came to realise why the hotel has been named in Travel + Leisure’s It List for 2026 – a global edit of the world’s best new hotels.
The attention to detail in my room was top notch – from the playlist, to the kitchenette with goodies, a Nespresso machine and selection of wines.
I also had access to The Sundays’ private swimming pool and cabanas, as well as gourmet, daily breakfast which I made the most of.
After settling very well into my room it was time to pick up my buggy. It’s the only way to get around the island. There’s also buses but a buggy is the most convenient way.
It’s important to watch the safety briefing and ensure you’re well-versed with the vehicle.
For anyone misbehaving or disobeying the rules like drink-driving, there’s plenty of police around, so be sure to be responsible – or simply walk around.
Where to eat
There’s three places that really stood out for me. I’ll start with Coca Chu – a hawker-style Vietnamese & Thai restaurant located right opposite The Sundays.
If you’re a fan of South-East Asian cuisine, then it’s a must. The food is super tasty and fresh and is designed to share which is always a bonus as you can try many different dishes. Despite dining solo, I still went all out and treated myself.
Standout dishes included tiger prawn betel leaf, macadamia, saw tooth coriander, coconut – DIY bao buns with duck and char siew pork, pickled cucumber, radish, Asian BBQ sauce – and fragrant green curry with steamed market fish, curry leaves, grilled lime.
It’s got a relaxing atmosphere that overlooks the white sands of Catseye Beach.
If you love Italian food then put Romano’s on your list and make sure you book well ahead because no matter what day of the week it is, it’s jam-packed.
It’s only a 7-minute walk from the hotel and I highly suggest you take this option if you plan on having few cheeky glasses. They have a great selection of wines.
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I went straight in for a red accompanied by carpaccio for antipasti and spanner crab & clam pappardelle for my main.
However, the venue that topped them for me personally has to be The Sundays’ very own Catseye Pool Club.
Hot tip, make a booking for sunset – it’s a beautiful way to spend your evening with a beverage in hand, incredible views and food.
The menu is designed by acclaimed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland who bring together Australia’s best seasonal ingredients.
Recognised with a Chef Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide 2026, the dishes are truly amazing.
My favourite was the selection of raw wild fish, coral prawns & scallops. It came with Bunya Red Farm capers, shallots & black pepper, miso & chive crème fraiche & vinegar potato crisps.
You also need to get the wood-fired pizza bread that comes with a perfect selection of sides, including BBQ Shishito Peppers and lemon leaf grilled buffalo mozzarella.
What to do
My two must-do’s are a scenic helicopter flight with Hamilton Island Air and visiting Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.
The chopper ride is an unbelievable way to see the reef and the world-famous Heart Reef from up above. The pilot made me feel incredibly comfortable during our 45-minute ride and as a local, he was super knowledgeable about all-things reef.
My other absolute must-do is Hill Inlet and the incredible Whitehaven Beach. It truly is picture-perfect.
We took a cruise towards Whitehaven Beach where we disembarked at Tongue Bay.
Once on land, we were taken on a guided bushwalk to Hill Inlet where we did the typical and cliche thing of going to the popular lookout to take pictures of the iconic swirling sands. Totally worth the hype.
From there, we headed down to the picturesque Whitehaven Beach where we had time to relax, explore, take a swim and enjoy the crystal clear waters and white silica sand.
I truly enjoyed my solo escape – it’s a great way to reset and refresh.
And it appears I’m not the only one. According to Destination NSW, solo travel in Australia is increasingly becoming a common lifestyle choice.
Eight in 10 (81 per cent) of solo travellers in Australia embarked on solo trips in 2025, with more than half (54 per cent) undertaking two or more, as cited in the Rising Interest in Solo Travel in the Asia Pacific, a report in collaboration with budget airline, Scoot.
“For many Australians, it’s no longer just about ticking off bucket list destinations, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and embracing the destination,” Scoot Australia general manager Adam Kelly said.
Meanwhile, Tourism Whitsundays (TW) recently released results from the Tourism Research Australia International Visitor Survey and Domestic Tourism Statistics for the year ending March 2026, confirming $271.8 million in international visitor expenditure, up 27.6 per cent year-on-year, alongside 688,000 domestic overnight visitors.
It continues to soar in popularity, and not just for couples.
This writer travelled to Hamilton Island as a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland