Hamilton Island buggy hire: Rental prices & availability

If the cost of Hamilton Island buggy hire isn’t prohibitive, the availability might just be. You need to pay $98 a day, and buggies book up weeks in advance.

Hamilton Island, the main resort island in Queensland’s Whitsundays archipelago, is fairly easy to get around. Most of the island’s attractions, such as One Tree Hill and Catseye Beach, can easily be covered within a short walk.

How to get around Hamilton Island

But most is not all. Given that Hamilton Island is a car-free island, the best way to get around is on a buggy.

The glorified golf buggies are a common sight on Hamilton Island. They seat two to four people and are set up for exploration. There are headlights for after dark driving, overhead canopies for shelter and drinks holders next to the seats.

If you plump for Hamilton Island buggy hire, they are pretty easy to drive and no special training is required. You just put your foot down and steer. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age and hold a provisional licence or better, however.

3 Hamilton Island experiences worth booking in advance

Full day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
Full day Great Barrier Reef cruise to Reefworld pontoon – with underwater viewing gallery.
Private charter romantic sunset cruise.

Hamilton Island buggy hire availability

The major catch is that Hamilton Island buggy hire is extremely popular, and often the buggies are booked out by the time you get on the island. If you want one, you’re going to have to book it well in advance.

That can be done online, but you’ll need to be organised. They can book out months in advance over peak periods.

Hamilton Island buggy hire prices

It’s also worth noting that Hamilton Island buggy hire is expensive. To rent a buggy on Hamilton Island for two hours, the price is $60. For four hours, it’s $75. And for $24 hours it’s $98.

If that seems too much, you may be better off sticking to walking and the complimentary island shuttle bus.

Things to do on Hamilton Island include Great Barrier Reef cruises and quad bike tours. As with the buggies, Hamilton Island accommodation should be booked well in advance.