“Easy to book online and had a lovely time on Hamilton Island. The island shuttle was convenient, the driver was friendly and helpful, and the lunch was very nice. Overall, a great day out!”
10Hr Hamilton Island Freestyle Boat Tour
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Duration: 11hr 5min
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The Hamilton Island Freestyle Boat Tour from Airlie Beach gives you a full day to explore Hamilton Island independently. With around six hours on the island, there's time to relax at Catseye Beach, enjoy a long lunch overlooking the marina, browse the shops and galleries, or make use of the island shuttle bus to discover different parts of the resort. There are no scheduled activities or guided tours; just the freedom to experience Hamilton Island however you choose.
The Hamilton Island Freestyle Experience
After a scenic cruise from Port of Airlie through the Whitsunday Islands, you'll arrive at Hamilton Island with the day completely your own. Get the complimentary island shuttle to visit Catseye Beach, relax by the resort pools, browse the boutiques and galleries around the marina village, or venture onto one of the island's bushwalking trails. If you’re willing to explore a little further, the elevated lookouts treat you to sweeping views across the Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday Islands.
When it's time for lunch, make your way to Marina Tavern and redeem your meal voucher. Overlooking the bustling marina, it's a great spot to refuel before continuing your island adventure. Whether you choose to spend the afternoon swimming, shopping, sightseeing or simply soaking up the tropical atmosphere, the flexible schedule lets you experience Hamilton Island at your own pace before rejoining the return cruise to Port of Airlie.
Who Is This Tour Best Suited For
This tour is the best choice for travellers who want to explore a single destination thoroughly, giving Hamilton Island the attention it deserves. Perfect for families who need space and flexibility, couples looking for a relaxed island day without the pressure of a packed schedule.
The Hamilton Island Freestyle Experience
After a scenic cruise from Port of Airlie through the Whitsunday Islands, you'll arrive at Hamilton Island with the day completely your own. Get the complimentary island shuttle to visit Catseye Beach, relax by the resort pools, browse the boutiques and galleries around the marina village, or venture onto one of the island's bushwalking trails. If you’re willing to explore a little further, the elevated lookouts treat you to sweeping views across the Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday Islands.
When it's time for lunch, make your way to Marina Tavern and redeem your meal voucher. Overlooking the bustling marina, it's a great spot to refuel before continuing your island adventure. Whether you choose to spend the afternoon swimming, shopping, sightseeing or simply soaking up the tropical atmosphere, the flexible schedule lets you experience Hamilton Island at your own pace before rejoining the return cruise to Port of Airlie.
Who Is This Tour Best Suited For
This tour is the best choice for travellers who want to explore a single destination thoroughly, giving Hamilton Island the attention it deserves. Perfect for families who need space and flexibility, couples looking for a relaxed island day without the pressure of a packed schedule.
- Scenic return cruise to Hamilton Island from Airlie Beach
- Full day on Hamilton Island to explore at your own pace
- Choice of island bushwalks - Peak, One Tree Hill or the South-East Head Trail
- Lunch at Marina Tavern; 1 item per voucher (drinks and extras at own expense)
- Full use of the island shuttle bus to get around
- Access to Catseye Beach and resort pool areas
- Access to shops, galleries and boutiques
- Great Barrier Reef Environmental Management Charge (EMC) included
- Departure also available from Daydream Island; please mention in comments at the time of booking
- Spend up to six hours discovering the Whitsundays' most popular resort island
- Explore beaches, bushwalking trails, boutiques and waterfront dining areas
- Take in spectacular views of the Coral Sea from elevated island trails and lookouts
- Everything organised, including return transfers, lunch and island transport
- Adult $165
- Child $115
- Family $555
- Senior $155
Airlie Beach – 24 The Cove Road
Google Map - CLICK HERE
Check-in at Port of Airlie. Departure also available from Daydream Island — advise at time of booking.
Google Map - CLICK HERE
Check-in at Port of Airlie. Departure also available from Daydream Island — advise at time of booking.
- Port of Airlie
Check in for your cruise to Hamilton Island. - Hamilton Island — Morning
Arrive at Hamilton Island and begin your day at your own pace. Use the island shuttle bus to reach Catseye Beach, the pool areas, village shops or the start of the island's bushwalking trails. - Marina Tavern — Lunch
Enjoy a sit-down lunch at Marina Tavern (1 item per voucher; drinks and extras at own expense). - Hamilton Island — Afternoon
Continue exploring at your own pace; more beach time, more walking, more shopping, or simply relax. - Return
Return cruise departs Hamilton Island for Airlie Beach, arriving approximately 6:35pm.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Drinks and additional food at Marina Tavern (at own expense)
- Optional island activities not listed in inclusions
- Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to help@australiancruisegroup.com.au
- Refunds, where applicable, will be processed to the original payment method.
- No correspondence will be entertained for cancellations made after the free-cancellation period.
- A ‘no-show’ refers to any confirmed passenger who fails to board the vessel prior to scheduled departure. Please note, we make every effort to ensure our cruises depart on time. It is highly recommended that all passengers are ready for boarding 15 minutes prior to the stated time.
- An individual booking is defined as all bookings having less than 10 passengers on a single E-ticket. Individual bookings require full payment at time of booking.
- Up to 4 days prior: Full refund
- Within 3 days: 100% cancellation fee
- Group bookings are defined as all bookings for 10 or more passengers on a single E-ticket. Group bookings can be made with a partial payment of 20% as deposit. The balance amount must be paid 7 days before the cruise date.
- Up to 7 days prior: Full refund
- Within 6 days: 100% cancellation fee
- Wheelchair accessible
What is included on Hamilton Island?
Your fare includes a lunch voucher for one item at Marina Tavern, full use of the island shuttle bus, and access to Catseye Beach, pool areas, bushwalking trails, shops and galleries.
How much time do I get on Hamilton Island?
You will have approximately a full day on the island, depending on your departure point. Guests departing from Airlie Beach board at 7:30am and return at approximately 6:35pm.
Is there a departure from Daydream Island?
Yes. Departure is available from Daydream Island (check-in 7:15am, departure 7:45am, return 6:00pm). Please mention it in the comments at the time of booking.
What are the bushwalking options on Hamilton Island?
Hamilton Island has a choice of scenic bushwalks offering elevated views across the Whitsunday Islands and Coral Sea. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Do I need cash on Hamilton Island?
No. Hamilton Island is currently accepting cashless payments only. Please bring a credit or debit card for any purchases beyond your included lunch voucher.
Can I swim at Hamilton Island?
Yes. You can swim at Catseye Beach or relax by the island's public resort pool areas during your free time on Hamilton Island.
Is this tour guided?
No. This is a self-guided day trip that gives you the flexibility to explore Hamilton Island at your own pace. Return ferry transfers, lunch and island shuttle access are included.
What should I bring for the day?
We recommend bringing swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and a credit or debit card for any additional purchases.
Is this tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. Hamilton Island offers family-friendly beaches, pools, walking paths, cafés and open spaces, making it a popular choice for visitors of all ages.
Can I use the island shuttle bus as many times as I like?
Yes. Unlimited use of the Hamilton Island shuttle bus is included, making it easy to travel between Catseye Beach, the marina village, resort areas and other attractions throughout the day.
Will I have phone reception and WiFi on Hamilton Island?
Mobile phone reception is generally available across Hamilton Island. WiFi is also available in many public areas, cafés and restaurants.
What happens if it rains?
The tour operates in most weather conditions. Hamilton Island offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including restaurants, cafés, shops and galleries, should the weather be less favourable.
Your fare includes a lunch voucher for one item at Marina Tavern, full use of the island shuttle bus, and access to Catseye Beach, pool areas, bushwalking trails, shops and galleries.
How much time do I get on Hamilton Island?
You will have approximately a full day on the island, depending on your departure point. Guests departing from Airlie Beach board at 7:30am and return at approximately 6:35pm.
Is there a departure from Daydream Island?
Yes. Departure is available from Daydream Island (check-in 7:15am, departure 7:45am, return 6:00pm). Please mention it in the comments at the time of booking.
What are the bushwalking options on Hamilton Island?
Hamilton Island has a choice of scenic bushwalks offering elevated views across the Whitsunday Islands and Coral Sea. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Do I need cash on Hamilton Island?
No. Hamilton Island is currently accepting cashless payments only. Please bring a credit or debit card for any purchases beyond your included lunch voucher.
Can I swim at Hamilton Island?
Yes. You can swim at Catseye Beach or relax by the island's public resort pool areas during your free time on Hamilton Island.
Is this tour guided?
No. This is a self-guided day trip that gives you the flexibility to explore Hamilton Island at your own pace. Return ferry transfers, lunch and island shuttle access are included.
What should I bring for the day?
We recommend bringing swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and a credit or debit card for any additional purchases.
Is this tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. Hamilton Island offers family-friendly beaches, pools, walking paths, cafés and open spaces, making it a popular choice for visitors of all ages.
Can I use the island shuttle bus as many times as I like?
Yes. Unlimited use of the Hamilton Island shuttle bus is included, making it easy to travel between Catseye Beach, the marina village, resort areas and other attractions throughout the day.
Will I have phone reception and WiFi on Hamilton Island?
Mobile phone reception is generally available across Hamilton Island. WiFi is also available in many public areas, cafés and restaurants.
What happens if it rains?
The tour operates in most weather conditions. Hamilton Island offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including restaurants, cafés, shops and galleries, should the weather be less favourable.
- Pool access at Hamilton Island is subject to availability
- A café at Port of Airlie is available for breakfast before your early morning departure
- Phone reception and WiFi availability will vary across the island
- Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 72 hours (local time) before cruise date. After 72 hours: 100% cancellation fee applies.
What to Bring
- Swimwear and beach towel
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Light jacket or sweater for a cool or windy day
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera
- Credit card for optional purchases; Hamilton Island is currently cashless
- These Terms and Conditions set out the terms on which you (on behalf of yourself and any person on whose behalf you are booking, together "you" or "your") book through Australian Cruise Group Pty Ltd ABN 89 152 554 302 (referred to as, we, us and our, in these Terms and Conditions) for all bookings, reservations, products and cruises operated by us including Sydney Showboats, Magistic Cruises, Clearview Cruises Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruises, Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruises, Vivid Sydney Cruises, Sydney Christmas Party Cruises, Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises, and any other cruises, websites, operations or entities operated by us. These Terms and Conditions constitute the agreement between you and us.
- Full payment is required at the time of booking for all scheduled and special event cruises. Click here to read the Cancellation Policies that apply to the respective cruises.
- A ‘Book with Deposit’ option is available for online group bookings (6 or more guests) on select scheduled cruises, provided the cruise date is more than 10 days from the booking date.
- For partially paid bookings, the balance payment must be settled 7 days prior to the cruise date. Bookings not settled by the due date will be automatically cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
- Online group discounts are applicable on select cruises throughout the year, excluding the periods from 1 November to 1 January and 20 May to 15 June.
- Group bookings (10 guests or more): The guest has a choice to pay 20% deposit to confirm the booking, if the cruise date is more than 21 days in advance. The customer must confirm the final number of guests 7 days prior to the cruise date and are required a full and final payment 21 days prior to the cruise. Credit will be issued for any reduction in final passenger numbers up to 7 days prior to the cruise date.
- Change cruise date (transfer your booking): Any request to transfer a booking to another date must be made 72 hours prior to the cruise date. Such transfer of bookings are subject to availability of seats at the same price for the new cruise date. If the price is higher for the new cruise date, you will be required to pay the difference in addition to the minimum transfer fee.
- Transfer fee: There is a $10 per person minimum transfer fee will apply. New Year’s Eve cruise tickets cannot be transferred to a different date.
- All passengers including the infants must be manifested for safety and security reasons. Un-manifested guests will be refused boarding.
- All cruise fares are quoted in Australian Dollars and include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- We reserve the right, if we consider necessary (for example, due to mechanical breakdown, for safety reasons or weather conditions), to substitute vessels without notice (including any vessels of a third party), deviate from a vessels advertised route, change any menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare. We will endeavour to provide a similar quality vessel, route, menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare (as the case may be) in these circumstances. In such circumstances, we will not be liable for your direct or indirect loss, or to refund any fares or portions of fares, nor will we be liable for any other damage, loss, expense, loss of time, disappointment, inconvenience, or any other consequential loss suffered by you.
- Requests from our guests for dietary requirements (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free), substitutions and modifications of menus on board our cruises will be politely declined, as our kitchen team prepares the meals in our onboard kitchens. As we cater for large number of guests in a relatively small meal time, it is not practical for us to accommodate to such requests within the given time frame. All of our cruises have at least on vegetarian menu option for seated & served menus. Banquet/buffet menus also offer vegetarian choice. We cannot guarantee that certain products or ingredients (nuts, gluten, diary, etc.) will not be in our food, and we explicitly accept no liability in this regard. For serious food allergies you must make own decisions on selecting meals. Our staff’s comments are only to assist you in making an informed decision. In exceptional circumstances, with our prior written consent you (or one of your guests) may bring your own meal.
- Our cruises operate on busy waterways and are subject to the risks and perils of cruising on such waterways including loss, damage and injury arising out of or in connection with changing tidal and weather conditions and the navigation of other craft. To the extent permissible by law, we will not be responsible in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss or damage arising out of injury or death sustained by you or any other passenger, howsoever arising and whether or not arising as a result of our negligence or failure to render due care and skill. You enter into this agreement and book and travel on our cruises at your own risk. If however any guarantees, terms, conditions or warranties are implied into this agreement by any law of the Commonwealth or New South Wales, the exclusion of which would contravene that law or cause part or all of this clause to be void, then to the extent permissible by law:
(a) We exclude all other guarantees, terms, conditions and warranties; and
(b) Our liability for breach of such guarantee, term, condition or warranty is limited to the supply of the relevant cruise again or the cost of re-supplying the cruise. - We exclude all liability for any loss or damage to clothing or personal items/belongings howsoever arising and whether or not our liability arises in tort, contract or otherwise.
- Some of the tours, products and cruises we operate may be considered dangerous and you should be aware of the risks involved before participating, which may include injury or death. Where the tours, products and cruises include activities that could be considered dangerous, you assume all of the inherent risks which are applicable to those activities. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude you from participating in activities and you are responsible for confirming your ability to participate. You must use caution when participating in activities and inform us of any medical or other conditions.
- It is a condition of this agreement that any claim for loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within seven (7) days from the day the cruise finishes, and any court action, suit or proceeding must be brought no later than one (1) year from the same day. If you fail to comply with either of these conditions, we will be forever discharged from all claims, suits, actions and/or proceedings relating to or arising out of or in any way connected with the cruise and we will be discharged from all liability whatsoever, including any liability for negligence.
- We may contract or arrange for third parties to provide the whole or part of the cruise and any related services to you. You must not bring any claims or actions against such third parties. If you bring such a claim or action in breach of this agreement, you agree to indemnify us and the person against whom the claim or action is made against the consequences of that claim or action. You agree that in entering into this agreement, we are acting as the agent of and trustee for each of our employees, officers, agents and subcontractors, and each of these persons is deemed to be a party to the contract for the purpose of entitling each of them to enforce, have the benefit of and rely upon these Terms and Conditions.
- We strictly do not permit any alcohol to be brought on board for consumption. Any discussions with our representatives should not be construed as an acceptance to bring alcohol of any nature on board for any event or function. In line with our Responsible Service of Alcohol policy, such requests will be refused politely.
- You must not bring any alcohol or illegal substances onto the vessel. We reserve the right to refuse you entry to the vessel, or to require you to disembark from the vessel, including due to your intoxication or for the safety of other passengers or the vessel.
- This agreement is to be governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws in force in New South Wales. Any action, claim, suit or proceeding arising out of or connected in any way with this agreement or the cruise will only be brought in the Courts of New South Wales.
- If any of these provisions are unenforceable, this shall not affect the enforceability of any other part of the provision or any other provision. In the event of inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and any other terms, these Terms and Conditions will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. No waiver or variation of this agreement will have binding effect unless such waiver or agreement is in writing and signed by us.
