Hamilton Island Golf Club

Hamilton Island Golf Club occupies a unique position in Australian golf, situated on Dent Island in the Whitsunday archipelago off the Queensland coast. Designed by five-time Open Championship winner Peter Thomson and completed in 1989, the course is accessible only by boat from Hamilton Island's marina, adding a distinctive arrival experience to any round. Thomson routed the layout across rugged, hilly terrain that rises and falls dramatically throughout the property, creating significant elevation changes and varied playing angles uncommon in resort golf. The course measures approximately 6,100 meters from the back tees and features narrow fairways carved through native bushland, with dense vegetation and rocky outcrops framing most holes. Several holes play along elevated ridgelines offering views across the Coral Sea and neighboring islands, while others descend into sheltered valleys. The design emphasizes strategic positioning over length, as the undulating terrain and prevailing winds create natural challenges that reward course management. The par-three seventh hole, played from an elevated tee to a green set against the water, is frequently noted for its scenic qualities. Hamilton Island Golf Club operates as part of the Hamilton Island resort complex and caters primarily to resort guests and visiting golfers. The course has hosted professional events on the PGA Tour of Australasia, including tournaments in the 1990s. The combination of Thomson's design philosophy—favoring ground game options and strategic variety—with the dramatic Whitsunday setting makes this one of Australia's more distinctive island golf experiences.