This Australian Island is Officially a Foodie Paradise
Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia, renowned as a premier, car-free holiday destination in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
The island features a marina village, diverse accommodation ranging from luxury resorts to family-friendly options, offers snorkeling, sailing, and direct airport access, and great restaurants—from fine dining to casual, family-friendly spots. You can expect incredible seafood, eye-popping views, and friendly service.
Recently, Hamilton Island was recognized for the strength of its dining offering in the 2026 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards, with five of its restaurants receiving Chef Hat recognition across the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef region.
Bommie Restaurant at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club received two Chef Hats, adding an extra hat to last year’s recognition and marking its fourth consecutive year receiving a Chef Hat. The recognition reflects the work of Executive Chef Ryan Locke and his team, whose menus are shaped by premium local produce and the Whitsundays landscape.
Long Pavilion at qualia, Pebble Beach at qualia, Catseye Pool Club at The Sundays and Hamilton Island Golf Club were also recognized by the Australian Good Food Guide.
Catseye Pool Club, led by acclaimed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland, whose Sydney restaurant Saint Peter appears on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list, received its first Chef Hat less than a year after opening at The Sundays.
Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said the awards reflect a deliberate and ongoing investment in the island’s food and beverage offering.
“Over the past two years, we’ve continued to invest in dining across the island, and it’s rewarding to see that recognized nationally,” Mr Dowling said. “From Bommie to qualia and The Sundays, the awards reflect the quality and consistency of the dining experiences being delivered across Hamilton Island.”
Chris Woodyard, General Manager of Food and Beverage, said the recognition highlights the strength of the teams behind the venues.
“This recognition is a credit to our chefs, front-of-house teams and support teams,” Mr Woodyard said. “The focus has been on creating dining experiences that feel contemporary, distinctive and true to Hamilton Island.”
Beyond the Chef Hat awards, Hamilton Island continues to evolve its broader food and beverage offering, including the reimagining of Sails at the Resort Centre as a contemporary poolside destination overlooking Catseye Bay.
The Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards recognise Australia’s most outstanding chefs and restaurants, with hats awarded following anonymous inspections based on the food alone.
About the Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards
The Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards have recognized Australia’s most outstanding chefs and restaurants since 1982. Chef Hats are awarded following anonymous inspections by independently appointed inspectors, who always dine anonymously and pay full fare. Restaurants are assessed on the food alone, based on ingredients, taste, presentation, technique, value and consistency.
About Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is Australia’s tropical island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport. The island offers a broad range of accommodation, from private luxury retreat qualia and boutique hotels to family-friendly resorts and self-catering holiday homes, alongside more than 20 restaurants and bars, two spas, a 300-plus-berth marina and more than 60 tours and experiences. Hamilton Island is the gateway to Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and one of the world’s most celebrated sailing destinations and hosts a year-round calendar of events including Hamilton Island Race Week and pas de deux in Paradise, a biannual collaboration with The Australian Ballet.
Dining on Hamilton Island
Over the past two years, Hamilton Island has continued to invest in its food and beverage offering, including new culinary leadership at Bommie and Beach Club under Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the opening of Catseye Pool Club at The Sundays by Josh and Julie Niland, refreshed dining and poolside experiences at Sails, and the continued refinement of qualia’s dining offering under Executive Chef Joshua Hingston.
Getting there
Hamilton Island is accessible primarily by direct flights from major Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns) into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), or by a 60-minute Cruise Whitsundays ferry from Port of Airlie on the mainland. The island is car-free, with travel options including pre-booked golf buggies or free island shuttle buses.
Insider tips
Bookings are Essential: Due to high demand and limited capacity, it is essential to book restaurants, particularly for dinner, weeks in advance via the Hamilton Island App.
Best Views: The Golf Clubhouse, Bommie, and Manta Ray offer stunning views, with the Golf Club considered by many to offer the best lunch experience.
