Hamilton Island Golf Club
Australia's only golf course on its own island, Hamilton Island Golf Club sits across the water on Dent Island in the heart of the Whitsundays. Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett carved a par 71 of about 6,140 metres along the ridges and valleys in 2009, and you reach it by a short ferry ride to one of the most spectacular settings in world golf.
Photo: Hamilton Island Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Reached by a complimentary ferry from Hamilton Island Marina, the course on Dent Island is unlike anything else in Australian golf. Five time Open champion Peter Thomson, with design partner Ross Perrett, routed it along a series of ridges and across steep valleys, opening in August 2009 as a par 71 of roughly 6,140 metres.
It is not long, but the setting and the ground do the work. Fairways thread along ridgelines with the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday islands spread out below, the valleys fall away dramatically, and a GPS fitted cart is essential to move around the dramatic terrain. As a bucket list round wrapped inside a tropical island holiday, with whales sometimes visible offshore in season, Hamilton Island is one of the most memorable public access experiences in the country.
Hamilton Island Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2009
- Designer
- Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett
- Type
- Island ridge and valley
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,140 m
- Green fee
- From about A$195
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Hamilton Island Golf Club was designed by Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett and opened in 2009, a par 71 of about 6,140 metres. Green fees from about 195 Australian dollars for 18 holes, typically including the return ferry transfer and a GPS fitted cart, are indicative for 2026 and vary by season; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Hamilton Island is all about the ground and the views. The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett routing runs the fairways along ridge tops and tips the approaches toward greens perched above plunging valleys, so club selection and nerve matter far more than length on this par 71.
The terrain is genuinely dramatic, with carries over gullies and shots played to targets framed by the Coral Sea. A GPS fitted cart is part of the experience, helping you navigate the steep transitions between holes, while the elevated tees deliver the postcard panoramas the island is famous for.
What stays with you is the sense of place. There is no other course in Australia on its own island, and the combination of clever golf, tropical scenery and the short ferry crossing makes a round at Hamilton Island feel like an event rather than just a tee time.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public access resort course; open to visitors, with tee times booked ahead, especially in peak holiday periods |
| Green fee | From about 195 Australian dollars for 18 holes, typically including return ferry and GPS cart (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Through the golf club or your Hamilton Island holiday booking; reserve early in school holidays and winter peak |
| On the day | A GPS fitted cart is included and essential on the steep terrain; allow time for the ferry each way |
| Getting there | A short complimentary ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Dent Island; Hamilton Island has its own airport |
| Best months | April to October for the dry, mild Whitsundays season and the best chance of calm, clear days |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and ferry arrangements change with season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Almost everyone playing Dent Island stays on Hamilton Island itself, the lively hub of the Whitsundays, with accommodation ranging from the adults only luxury of qualia to family friendly resorts, apartments and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The island is car free, easy to get around and just minutes from the golf ferry.
It is a destination built for a holiday rather than a pure golf tour, so most visitors pair their round with sailing, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and trips to Whitehaven Beach. For keen golfers, it is worth combining with a mainland Queensland round such as Royal Queensland on the way through Brisbane.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Hamilton Island Golf Club.
Build a Whitsundays golf trip
We book the Hamilton Island tee times and ferry, pair them with the best of the Whitsundays and arrange the island stay around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Hamilton Island Golf Club questions
Who designed Hamilton Island Golf Club and when did it open?
The course on Dent Island was designed by five time Open champion Peter Thomson with Ross Perrett and opened in August 2009. It is the only golf course in Australia on its own island.
What is the par and length of Hamilton Island?
Hamilton Island Golf Club is a par 71 of about 6,140 metres, a dramatic ridge and valley layout where the terrain and views matter far more than raw length.
How much does it cost to play Hamilton Island?
Green fees start from about 195 Australian dollars for 18 holes, typically including the return ferry transfer and a GPS fitted cart. Fees are indicative for 2026 and change by season, so confirm directly before booking.
How do you get to the course?
The course is on Dent Island, reached by a short complimentary ferry from Hamilton Island Marina. Hamilton Island has its own airport with direct flights from major Australian cities.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.