Hamilton Island’s newest boutique hotel, The Sundays, has officially opened—bringing with it a fresh look, a new restaurant from the Nilands, and a few surprises by the pool.
Located just steps from the Coral Sea, The Sundays is a 59-room boutique property built on the site of one of the island’s original hotels. It’s the first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island in years, designed to appeal to a new generation of travellers returning to the Whitsundays with families of their own.
According to Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling, “The Sundays brings something truly special to Hamilton Island – an elevated boutique escape that welcomes families and reflects the warm, laidback, uniquely Australian style of hospitality Hamilton Island is known for”.
A new kind of stay
The Sundays has been designed by Carrie Williams, with interiors that lean into natural textures, sculptural stonework, and soft coastal tones. Every room includes a balcony or terrace, and guests are surrounded by tropical gardens and artworks by First Nations and Hungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg created specifically for the property.
Custom inclusions and amenities have been designed with all ages in mind—from younger guests to multi-gen families—while sunrise yoga sessions, moonlit movies, and the hotel’s signature ‘Sundays’ Sundaes’ bring a relaxed, resort-within-a-resort vibe.
Guests also have direct access to the boardwalk, private beach, and a dedicated pool area reserved exclusively for those staying at the hotel.
Catseye Pool Club by the Nilands
At the heart of the hotel is Catseye Pool Club—the Sundays’ signature restaurant and bar, open to all Hamilton Island visitors for lunch and dinner.
The venue is the latest from acclaimed Australian culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland, known for their work at Saint Peter and Fish Butchery. The menu celebrates seasonal Australian produce and relaxed, share-style dining designed for long afternoons and breezy evenings by the pool.
Cocktails are curated by Sam Cocks, best known for his work at Saint Peter Bar. The drinks list is “elevated yet playful,” according to the hotel, and designed to suit both sundowners and poolside sipping. Breakfast at Catseye Pool Club is reserved for hotel guests only.
Part of a wider refresh
The Sundays is the latest addition to Hamilton Island’s evolving accommodation offering, which now spans luxury stays, self-contained homes, and family-friendly bungalows.
It joins qualia—the island’s luxury retreat—alongside the adults-only Beach Club and the family-focused Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows.
“The Sundays is part of Hamilton Island’s ongoing evolution – reimagined for today’s traveller on the site of one of the island’s original hotels,” Dowling said.
“Many of our guests first visited Hamilton Island as children, and now they’re returning with their own children and grandchildren to experience the magic all over again.”
Access and trade relevance
Hamilton Island is the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, with direct flights under 2.5 hours from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. It also offers direct boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.
The island’s accessible location, range of accommodation types, and year-round average temperature of 27°C make it a consistently strong domestic holiday pick—and a top consideration for agents booking families, multigen escapes, and tropical milestone trips.
Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef are both easily accessible from the island, and guests can also book reef tours, nature hikes, spa treatments, or tee off at the Hamilton Island Golf Club on neighbouring Dent Island.
Hamilton Island quick facts for trade
- More than 65 tours and activities available year-round
- Accommodation options range from boutique to luxury and self-contained
- Over 20 dining venues island-wide
- Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and two of its most iconic sites: Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef
- Hosts annual events including Race Week and the Australian Ballet’s pas de deux in Paradise
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Sundays marks a notable shift in Hamilton Island’s accommodation offering, tapping into the growing demand for boutique, multi-gen, and experience-led stays. With a known culinary duo at the helm of the restaurant and direct access to key reef sites, it’s a timely addition to the domestic premium market. For agents, it widens options for families and design-conscious clients looking to rebook a classic Aussie destination with a modern twist.
