Hamilton Island has a lot going for it. While it’s no hidden gem, it sure is hidden, located 12 kilometres off the Queensland coast in the heart of the Whitsundays. The private tropical oasis is filled with pristine beaches, lush rainforest trails, romantic stays and plenty of bucket list experiences that’ll make everyone jealous back home. So, when I tell people the highlight of my trip to Hamilton was an ice cream sundae, you can bet I get a few strange looks. You’ll have to wait for the scoop on this though…
I’d heard plenty of good things about Hamilton Island before my first trip this year. My parents came here on an anniversary trip back in the day, and I can confirm, it’s still the perfect romantic escape for any lovebirds in the market. While they stayed at the Reef View Hotel – one of the island’s most popular resorts – there’s a new dreamy stay that’s stealing hearts. Meet The Sundays.
This coastal-luxe property is the first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island in more than 17 years – and it’s worth the wait. Taking over the former site of The Palms Terrace, the beachfront escape underwent a $35 million makeover, now complete with 59 stylish rooms, a private pool, an activity deck and a sun-soaked pool club helmed by acclaimed chefs Josh and Julie Niland.
The Sundays is everything you could ask of a lazy weekend arvo – calming, cosy and catnap-ready. The spacious rooms are dressed in peaceful pastels and sprinkled with thoughtful touches, including complimentary welcome rocky road, a breezy terrace, a deep bathtub, a plush king bed and a handy kitchenette. But my favourite part of The Sundays is the Catseye Pool Club.
Here, Josh and Julie Niland have branched out from the strictly seafood offering at their award-winning restaurant, Saint Peter, which was recently named one of the world’s best new openings for 2025. While Catseye’s menu drips with Saint Peter’s DNA – take the golden mud crab pie and whole barbecued line-caught coral trout – it also makes room for land-based showstoppers like a rib-eye steak, crumbed lamb cutlets and roast chicken.
Given all that deliciousness, you’re probably surprised to hear that the best thing I ate during my stay was a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. It not only features in a sundae on the dessert menu, but all guests staying at The Sundays are treated to complimentary ice cream from 2 to 4pm daily. To claim a scoop, you simply exchange a gold coin of ‘mermoney’ at the bar or poolside gelato cart – a playful touch that kids will especially love. But don’t be fooled – the Nilands aren’t playing any gelato games. It was probably the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had. Call me basic, but you can’t beat a classic!
Melt-in-your-mouth, the ice cream is rich and creamy, with visible specks of vanilla proving it’s the real deal. I could’ve easily polished off an entire tub, so it’s a good thing I was limited to one scoop – and even better that I had another day to come back for seconds.
The Nilands keep it old-school with their ice cream, offering up just the timeless Neapolitan trifecta. Their vanilla is infused with beans from Cassowary Coast Vanilla, a boutique vanilla grower based in Far North Queensland, while the chocolate features Fresh Daintree Estate Chocolate and the strawberry shines with the sweetest local berries.
I’m sure Hamilton Island is already on your travel bucket list, but if not, the opening of The Sundays is your perfect excuse to add it. You can regularly snag budget-friendly flights from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, which take just over two hours. Plus, within ten minutes of landing, you could literally be eating ice cream on the beach.
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