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Top ten attractions on Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia

publication date: Apr 3, 2010
Hamilton IslandHamilton Island, Australia offers visitors a wealth of activities to choose from.

1 Take the plunge 
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).

2 Fantasea's Reefworld
Reefworld is an aquatic wonderland located at Hardy Reef, 75 minutes by boat off the coast. Here guests can snorkel in a sheltered and protected environment, take a tour on board a semi-submersible and view the marine life from the 50 seat underwater viewing chamber.

3 Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach offers a more relaxing alternative for an aquatic outing. World renowned for its pure silica sands, Whitehaven Beach is only a short boat ride from Hamilton Island and is a must for beach lovers wanting to experience one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (www.fantasea.com.au).

4 Golf
The new Hamilton Island Golf Club is open to golfers of all levels and offers a par 71 championship course with fantastic views and bracing sea air. Golfers can play nine or 18 holes on the course designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, located on Dent Island, a five minute boat ride from Hamilton Island (www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au).

5 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).

6 Sailing & leisure cruising
The Whitsundays is one of the best regions in Australia to learn to sail with many courses on offer ranging from instruction for beginners to offshore skipper and international qualifications. Alternatively, guests can sit back and let someone else do all the hard work with many cruise options on board a luxury yacht or catamaran, including sunset cruises on board classic yacht, The Banjo Paterson (www.cruiseindigo.com.au).

7 Bush walking trails
Stay on dry land and explore
Hamilton Island on foot with an invigorating bushwalk. There are many walking trails, all of which offer great bird spotting opportunities and sublime views. This is an ideal opportunity to find one's own private spot for a delicious picnic lunch.

8 Quadbiking
For a quicker pace guests can negotiate the fire trails and tackle different terrain on a quadbiking 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.

9 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 your catch for the dinner table (www.renegadecharters.com.au).

10 Adrenalin sports activities
These include sea kayaking, water skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding, tubing and go-kart racing. There is also a one hour jet ski tour which circumnavigates the island, not to mention go-karting, target sports, tennis and squash.

QANTAS HOLIDAYS (Tel 020 8222 9124 www.qantasholidays.co.uk) can arrange holidays to Hamilton Island with prices starting from £1,619.

For more information on Hamilton Island visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au