Hamilton Island (Queensland)

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Hamilton Island

Geography
Location	Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	20°21′S 148°57′E / 20.35°S 148.95°E / -20.35; 148.95
Archipelago	Whitsunday Islands
Area	5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi)
Country
Australia
State	Queensland
LGA	Whitsunday Regional Council
Demographics
Population	1347 [1] (as of 2006)

Hamilton Island is the second largest inhabited island (after Whitsunday Island) of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. Hamilton Island, like most in the Whitsunday group, was formed as sea levels rose creating numerous drowned mountains that are situated close to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. The island is a popular tourist destination and was featured in the successful "Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef" promotion.

In late August the island plays host to its annual Hamilton Island Race Week yachting festival, in which more than 150 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand gather for a week of races around the islands. 'Whitehaven Day' is when the yachts descend upon Whitehaven beach for a big beach party. However this is only one of many festivals hosted on the island.

At least two major films have been on location at Hamilton Island, Muriel's Wedding and Fool's Gold.

Contents 1 History 2 Tourism 3 Caretaker promotion 3.1 The Best Job In The World 4 New developments 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] History

The island was purchased in 1975 by Keith Williams and Bryan Bryt, and in 1978 Keith Williams commenced construction of Hamilton Island Harbour and the resort complex shortly after. The resort opened in phases between 1982 and 1984. In 1985, a fire destroyed most of the central portion of the resort complex, which was completely rebuilt by 1986. The current Whitsunday Holiday Apartments opened in 1986 followed by the current Reefview Hotel in 1990. In 1992, the resort was placed in receivership and between 1995 and 2003 it was owned by BT Australia and managed by Holiday Inn for a portion of that time. In 1999, the five-star Beach Club opened. In 2003, the Oatley family acquired the resort and expanded developments to include an expanded Marina precinct, a yacht club and a luxury resort known as qualia which opened in 2007-8.^[2]

[edit] Tourism

Unlike most islands off the east coast of Australia, Hamilton Island is used almost exclusively for tourism. However the island is catering for a growing number of residents, both employees of the various businesses on the island and also those people choosing to retire and enjoy the lifestyle. The island is on long term lease from the Commonwealth Government by the Oatley family. The Oatleys own and run Hamilton Island Enterprises which operates the majority of accommodation and businesses on the island.

Hamilton Island Airport is the only airport in the Whitsunday Islands that is big enough to cater for larger commercial aircraft. Hamilton Island is also catered for by several ferry services, which can only carry passengers. Mainland motor vehicles are prohibited on the island with the exception of those for tradespeople.^{[citation needed]} Transport needs are mostly served by a fleet of golf buggies, available to tourists for rent.

Visitors can catch glimpses of migrating whales as they make their way through the warm waters of the Whitsundays around July-September each year.

[edit] Caretaker promotion

[edit] The Best Job In The World

In 2009, Tourism Queensland promoted the Great Barrier Reef as a global tourism destination with a website encouraging people worldwide to apply for "The Best Job In The World:", to be a "Caretaker of the Islands" to "house-sit" the islands of the Great Barrier Reef for half a year, based on Hamilton Island.^[3][4][5]

Job benefits included a large salary, free lodging in a multi-million dollar villa, and transportation there and around the islands. The application process required a web video to be submitted, available publicly for consideration for the position. The job duties listed were primarily publicity-related with web videos, blogging, and photo diaries. The submission web site crashed two days following the launch of the campaign, from excessive visits and application video uploading.^[6]

Interest continued for months. On February 11, 2009, Christopher Grima jumped off the South Causeway Bridge in Fort Pierce in Florida. The police report said that he "wanted to capture a video of himself jumping off the bridge, to gain attention of the recruiters" for this job. He quickly received a summons for breach of the peace / disorderly conduct.^[7][8] More marketing-savvy applicants created blogs and established Facebook groups to create buzz about themselves. Two hoaxes also fueled interest. "The biggest winner, though, is Tourism Queensland, which reckons that for US$1m, it generated US$70m of global publicity" just one month after the campaign's launch.^[9]

Over 34,000 applications were received from over 200 countries, and whittled down to 16 finalists (including one chosen by an on-line vote). Finalists came from Australia (two), United States (two), United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Taiwan, India, China, Japan, France and South Korea. Ten were male and their ages ranged from 20 to 39. The candidates were interviewed on the island starting May 3, 2009. The United Kingdom finalist Ben Southall, 34, a charity fundraiser and ostrich-rider from Petersfield, Hampshire, UK, was appointed as the new caretaker of the island on May 6, 2009.^[10][11]

By the campaign's end, it has generated more than $200 million in global publicity value for Tourism Queensland.^[12] Brisbane advertising agency CumminsNitro [6] was awarded three top awards at the Cannes International Advertising Festival.^[13][14]. Public relations experts have expressed awe at the success of the campaign.^[15] The campaign received PR support in North America from Quinn & Co. Public Relations [7] ^[16], and in the United Kingdom from Hills Balfour Synergy [8] ^[17]. Media planning duties in North America went to Criterion Global International Media Buying [9] ^[18].

BBC Television made a one hour documentary about the final stages of the campaign which was directed by Agnieszka Piotrowska. The film was broadcast on 2nd July 2009 on BBC1 at 9pm,achieving the highest viewing figures for the whole week.

[edit] New developments

In 2009 there are two key infrastructure and tourism developments due for completion on the Island. The Hamilton Island Yacht Club will be opened during Hamilton Island Race Week and is due to be completed in late 2009^[19], and the Hamilton Island Golf Club is new Championship resort course which opened in August 2009. The 18 hole course on neighbouring Dent Island measures 6,715 yards/6,140 metres and is billed as the only championship island golf course in Australia^[20]

[edit] See also

• Dent Island
• List of islands of Australia
• Tourism in Australia

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Hamilton Island official resort site
• Official Hamilton Island Raceweek
• Links Site to all Hamilton Island related websites
• Hamilton Island is located at 20°21′S 148°57′E / 20.35°S 148.95°E / -20.35; 148.95.