When my aunty and uncle announced that they were having a Hamilton Island destination wedding, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Having stayed at the Whitsunday Islands once before, I knew it is one of Australia’s most beautiful travel locations.

Only three hours flight time from Melbourne, from the moment your fight descends into Hamilton Island, you’re greeted by seemingly endless dots of little islands and perfectly clear azure water. This sets the tone for the stunning visuals you will experience the entire holiday.

Once you arrive at the very small Hamilton Island airport, your accommodation provider will likely deliver you a golf buggy. As the only mode of transport on the island, nothing will make you feel like you’re on a holiday more than dinner time in the main street. Twenty or so golf buggies vying for parking is not your usual peak hour sight.

Apart from the wedding day (which, by the way, was unforgettably beautiful), it was a fantastically lazy holiday. We had a busy itinerary of activities, 10am through to 6pm of lying about on sunbeds by the pool and swimming up to the bar when thirst came knocking.

If you’re feeling up to it, tropical Queensland abounds with so many natural beauty day trip options. Two standouts being snorkeling at the world renowned Great Barrier Reef, or taking a boat tour to the pristine beauty of Whitehaven Beach, considered one of the world’s top ten most beautiful beaches.

We chose the latter. Walking barefoot along Whitehaven beach, you’re shocked by the silkiness of the ground beneath your feet. The sand is the purest and softest in the entire world. And if you visit during Australia’s stinger season, as we did, you get to enjoy the hilarity of stinger wet suits.