Brisbane to Hamilton Island: How long is the flight?

The Qantas flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays takes 90 minutes. There is also a Virgin Australia flight on the same route, which takes an hour and 40 minutes. Both are MUCH quicker than getting to Hamilton Island via car and ferry.

Hamilton Island is the most developed of the Whitsunday Islands, with a range of resort accommodation near Catseye Beach and One Tree Hill to fit most price brackets. It’s the island you’d pick if you’re going to the Whitsundays for a holiday, rather than a multi-day sailing cruise.

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.

Brisbane to Hamilton Island: Flights to Great Barrier Reef Airport

Another major point in favour of Hamilton Island being one of Australia’s best islands is that it has its own airport, making it far easier to get to. Also known as Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Airport receives direct flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns.

A direct flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island is available with either Qantas or Virgin Australia. They’re relatively cheap, too. One way tickets for Brisbane to Hamilton Island flights cost from around $156.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Hamilton Island marina, where the ferry to Hamilton Island docks — The marina where the ferry to Hamilton Island pulls in: rather pretty. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Brisbane to Hamilton Island flight time

Taking the flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island saves an awful lot of time.

The quickest Qantas flights from Brisbane to Hamilton Island are scheduled to take one hour and 30 minutes, while the Virgin Australia flights take one hour and 40 minutes.

The alternative to the flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island is driving. And it’s a long old drive up the east coast of Queensland.

Brisbane to Hamilton Island: The Brisbane to Airlie Beach drive

The drive from Brisbane to Airlie Beach is 1,114km long. That makes for a Brisbane to Airlie Beach driving time of around 12 hours and 20 minutes.

Then, you need to get to the Port of Airlie for the ferry transfer from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island. The Hamilton Island ferry is run by Cruise Whitsundays and costs $59.50 at time of writing. This takes an hour if going direct, or an hour and five minutes via Daydream Island.

Alternatively, you can do a day trip from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island.

An added problem is that Hamilton Island is car-free. So after driving all the way from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, you need to find somewhere to park your car for a few days, then hire a buggy. You could be forgiven for thinking this is simply not worth the bother, and taking the flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island instead.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.