Few golf destinations globally have woven their fairways into the natural landscape as seamlessly as Hamilton Island Golf Course, Australia’s only 18-hole championship course on its own island

Designed by five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson in 2009, this par-71 championship course continues to test even the most skilled golfers 15 years after its initial construction, with tight sloping fairways and thick native scrub lining the course. Locals have even dubbed the 14th hole as the ‘Valley of Death’. Thomson’s design features two nines of contrasting character, with the front nine holes routing around the centre of the island and the more eccentric back nine positioned along the ridges to the south. Strong course management off the tee is essential, with smaller landing zones and fairway bunkers that can often threaten the use of driver. Patient players are rewarded with scoring opportunities on back-to-back par 5s at the fifth and sixth holes, while the signature par 3s at the fourth and 14th are the most notable – each featuring a stunning backdrop of the Coral Sea. In winter months, lucky golfers can even spot pods of humpback whales migrating through Dent Passage.

After the round, the contemporary clubhouse is an idyllic spot for lunch and a drink, perched to catch the soft sea breeze and showcase panoramic views of the surrounding Whitsunday Islands. It provides a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable experience for golfers of all levels. 

THE DETAILS

Hamilton Island Golf Course
Ranking for 2024-2025: 30th
Prior rankings: 33rd (2022), 33rd (2020), 31st (2018), 31st (2016), 37th (2014), 39th (2012)
Where: Dent Island, Whitsundays QLD 4802
Phone: (07) 4946 9999
Web: hamiltonisland.com.au/golf/hamilton-island-golf-club

Photos by Gary Lisbon