Hamilton Island to open The Sundays hotel in Whitsundays

The island hotel boasts rooms overlooking the Coral Sea, a barside pool booming with cabanas, and a restaurant with alfresco dining by the ocean. See the designs.

The Sundays is a new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

A new luxury $30m “boutique” hotel and restaurant is coming to one of most popular destinations in the tropical Whitsundays.

The Sundays on Hamilton Island will open for bookings from Spring this year for visits from Autumn, 2025.

“Nestled among the palms at the northern end of Catseye Beach, The Sunday captures the essence of Hamilton Island’s tropical surroundings,” the preview on Hamilton Island’s website states.

“It’s a place where warm oceans meets chilled brunches, and Monday never arrives.

“It’s a world away just a few hours away from Australia’s east coast – with daily direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and easy boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.”

The Sundays is a new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

The hotel will boast 59 guest rooms each with a “serene” colour palette of “coral sea greens and warm beach tones” and views of the Coral Sea or tropical gardens with a choice of either a balcony or terrace.

There is also a barside pool surrounded by an abundance of sun lounges and cabanas, with guests also having access to the island’s 12km of walking trails, as well as activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, golf, tennis, and hopping aboard a catamaran, ATV, or helicopter to tour the surrounding reefs.

Guests at The Sundays ia new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays with guests to have access to the neighbouring golf course on Dent Island and helicopter tours of the Great Barrier Reef including the iconic and picturesque Heart Reef. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

As for food, the hotel will have a “waters-edge” restaurant and bar with al fresco dining that offers views of “the aquatic playground that is Catseye Bay”.

The Sundays is a new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

Once open, the hotel is expected to support more than 100 full-time jobs in hospitality.

“The Sundays marks over 20 years of continuous significant investment in Hamilton Island by the Oatley family,” Hamilton Island CEO Pete Brulisauer said.

The Sundays is a new $30m luxury hotel and restaurant coming to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

“In developing its ethos, we were inspired by the essence of what makes a Sunday so special – relaxing, treasuring time and fostering connections with loved ones, and embracing nature.

“It will be a place where you can expect an extraordinary experience for all ages amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”

More than $400m has been spent on upgrading Hamilton Island’s resort facilities since the late Bob Oatley acquired it in 2003, with a key project including a 18-hole golf course on neighbouring Dent Island.

Hamilton Island Enterprises CEO Sandy Oatley said they remained “focused” on building the island’s reputation “as one of Australia’s most iconic holiday destinations”.

Hamilton Island was established in 1982, and is the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport.