my island paradise

Meet five residents lucky enough to call Hamilton Island home

WORDS FIONA HARPER

Photo: Tourism Queensland

For the eclectic group of approximately 2,000 residents that call Hamilton Island home, life is not just a beach. It’s also rainforest, a reef and a resort all rolled into one. Since the late 1890s, when the first occupational licence was granted, laid-back nature-lovers have been enjoying the island’s lush rainforest and reef wonderland. Located within Queensland’s 74 Whitsunday Islands on the same latitude that Honolulu occupies in the northern hemisphere, Hamilton Island only came to prominence in the 1970s. Initial plans to raise deer were axed in favour of resort developments and with this came an influx of entrepreneurs and workers that formed the core of today’s residents. Here, five introduce their home.

The Wine Connoisseur

Keith ‘Kiwi’ Dornoch initially lived on Hayman Island in the early 1980s before taking up residence on Hamilton Island 23 years ago. With his raw, raspy bellow and down-to-earth nature, charismatic Kiwi was attracted to the casual island lifestyle.

“I’m a water baby and love the sea and going fishing. I heard there was good money to be made on the island, so I moved here in 1984.” Kiwi now supervises a team of public area attendants, with his workday starting long before the sleepy-eyed tourists sip their first latte.

This leaves plenty of time for his other passion. At the age of 15, Kiwi’s grandfather presented him with a small investment portfolio, which included shares in five vineyards. Initial dividends were disbursed annually as bottles of wine and thus, an avid wine collector was born.

A meeting among like-minded friends in 1993 resulted in the formation of the Hamilton Island Wine Appreciation Society. Kiwi regularly organises gatherings at various venues, with both residents and visitors welcome. Recently, he held a winedinner for 70 people beneath the native eucalypt trees that house the island’s koala population.

KIWI’s TIP: “Hire a dinghy and a fishing rod from Hamilton Island Dinghy Hire and head to Dent Passage. Half-day hire costs AU$90, maximum five people, plus rod hire and bait.”

The Sailor

Three-times World Champion sailor Duncan Broad discovered his love for the sea as a young boy. After stepping aboard his first boat as a nine-year-old in “sailing mad” New Zealand, Broad went on to make a career out of his passion for sailing, revelling in the freedom of a sailor’s life. He has sailed more than 300,000 nautical miles over 34 years at sea – that’s equivalent to sailing around the world 10 times!

Broad is enthusiastic about passing on his knowledge, so he took on a mentoring role after throwing down his anchor at Hamilton Island last year. His job as a yacht briefer and sail guide allows him to talk, live and breathe yachts all day long. “I just love the freedom that sailing gives me,” he enthuses. “To take people out among the Whitsunday Islands and to see the faces of people experiencing sailing for the first time is such a buzz.”

DUNCAN BROAD’S TIP: “Charter a yacht for a day with a group of friends. Day sail prices with Suns ail Yacht Charters start from AU$600 for an Odyssey 32, which is l arge enough for six people. If you’re not familiar with sailing a yacht, I’ll come along to show you the ropes (half-day sail guide AU$180).”

The Schoolgirl

For young islander Ally McGlashan, Hamilton Island is an exciting playground awaiting exploration. But first there is work to be done; even a six-year-old attending Hamilton Island Primary School must complete her homework before the real fun begins.

Growing up on an island provides Ally with plenty of fun opportunities in her National Park backyard. When she’s not boating with friends down at the marina, Ally loves snorkelling on Hardy Reef at Fantasea’s Reefworld, or turtle spotting at Bali Hai (tiny Black Island, just south of Hayman Island).

ALLY McGLASHAN’s TIP: “The campfire sing-alongs with Scotty and Blackie on the Night Safari Tour.” The 4WD possum-spotting tour departs every night except Sunday at 5.15pm, and meanders thr ough the rainforest, before snaking down through the mangroves to picturesque Coral Cove. Enjoy an Aussie beach barbecue with singing and dancing before winding up at 9pm. AU$98 for adults and AU$45 for childr en, or a Family Package (two adults, two children) is AU$240.

The Artist

Photo: Tourism QueenslandFine artist, island dweller and one time artist-in-residence, Greg Wardle called Hamilton Island home for six years. Known for his modern Australian style in oils, acrylics and watercolours, Wardle helped establish The Hamilton Island Art Gallery on Front Street. He still returns to the island regularly to conduct exhibitions and art classes, which are popular with both residents and island guests.

His work is influenced by the raw power of the ocean, with many of his landscapes inspired by his nautical passion. “I was always drawn to the power of the sea and boats; the movement and drama that one can create. Water, being one of the strongest forces in nature, has always been a strong force in my art,” he explains.

GREG WARDLE’S TIP: “Cocktails at sunset are held each evening from 5pm at the summit of One Tree Hill, which is an ideal vantage point to enjoy a tipple as the sun casts its crimson glow across the horizon.”

The Tour Operator

Some years ago, a fresh-faced yachty and her family sailed into a small harbour looking for basic supplies to re-provision their yacht. “We spent 10 years sailing our yacht around the South Pacific before sailing into the Whitsundays,” Gail Harvey reminisces. Twenty-three years later, Harvey is permanently moored at the head of a family tourism empire, based in the harbour of Hamilton Island.

While her adult sons Mark and Andrew entertain visitors in the waters of Dent Passage, her grandchildren, Sailor and Ryder, are second-generation island students that form part of the small group of 47 students that accompany Ally McGlashan to school each day.

GAIL HARVEY’S TIP: “Jump aboard our new purpose-built vessel, Jet Ryder, which features a massive 420HP jet-propelled engine. We’ll take thrill-seekers on a wet and wild 30-minute adrenaline ride.” AU$65 for adults and AU$55 for children 12 years and under.

FIND IT:
Hamilton Island Dinghy Hire
Tel: +61 (7) 4946 8259
Hamilton Island Art Gallery
Front St, Hamilton Island, tel: +61 (7) 4948 9657
Sunsail Yacht Charters
Tel: +61 1800 803 988
Night Safari Tour
Hamilton Island Tour Desk, tel: +61 (7) 4946 8305
Jet Ryder
Hamilton Island Watersports Front St, Hamilton Island, tel: +61 (7) 4946 8261