Hamilton Island: The Gateway to Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier reef

Recognised by TripAdvisor as 2014's number one beach in Australia, and one of the best in the world, Hamilton Island's Whitehaven Beach is this year's bucket list item deserving a tick – and in style.

Glenn Bourke, Hamilton Island's CEO, said: 'With seven kilometers of pristine white sand and vibrant turquoise water, there is no questioning why Whitehaven Beach has been recognised as a world class destination.

'When it comes to getting there, Hamilton Island is the gateway to Whitehaven Beach. Our guests can arrive at this extraordinary experience in 30 minutes by high-speed catamaran, in 15 minutes by taking a scenic seaplane or helicopter flight or at leisure on a Sunsail Yacht Charter.

'Although Whitehaven Beach, along with experiencing the Great Barrier Reef including the renowned Heart Reef, has always been a 'must do' for visitors to Hamilton Island, over the years we have seen an increasing demand to do so in absolute luxury. Many choose the intimate flight option, admiring the beach from the air before enjoying a gourmet, private picnic on the sand, complete with a bottle of Charles Heidseick Champagne.

'Others prefer to soak up the destination from both the sky and sea choosing the exclusive Hamilton Island Reef Comber experience. Guests are left speechless as they enjoy a scenic seaplane flight over picturesque Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and the dreamy Heart Reef, before landing by the Reef itself at Hardy Lagoon to enjoy an intimate glass bottom boat and snorkelling experience.

No matter what option guests choose to take, the photographic opportunities are spectacular with a visit to Whitehaven Beach one of Hamilton Island's most popular experience on Instagram.

Sophie Baker, Hamilton Island's Senior Communications Manager, said: 'Instagram continues to be a powerful social platform for Hamilton Island and is growing steadily with now over 49,000 followers globally. We are finding our guests cannot post their extraordinary Whitehaven Beach and Great Barrier Reef experience to Instagram fast enough and with this iconic destination receiving 10,000 hash tags already – we will continue to encourage them to do so! It's authentic storytelling at its best, a modern day virtual postcard and a great way to inspire others to see this aspirational travel destination for themselves.'

For more information on how to experience Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef from Hamilton Island, visit: www.hamiltonisland.com.au/whitehaven-beach.

Hamilton Island:

Whitehaven Beach

Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. HamiltonIsland offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au