WIN a Trip to Hamilton Island For You & 100 of Your Closest Friends!

This is a public service announcement! Velocity Frequent Flyer is giving away the trip of a lifetime – one lucky Velocity member will win a trip to Hamilton Island for them and 100 friends.

Hamilton Island is the poster-child of Queensland’s impressive Whitsunday Islands, one of 74 gorgeous continental islands off the coast of Airlie Beach.

You probably know at least 100 people who have it on their ‘Must Visit Before I Kick The Bucket’ List, which is handy, because now you’ve got the opportunity to help them tick it off.

This could be you, and heaps of other friends

Fill me in! What are the comp details?

Velocity Frequent Flyer is sending one very lucky winner, and 100 of their closest friends (ok maybe some will be a little more distant), on a trip of a lifetime to Hamilton Island, with flights and accommodation for all 101 of them, sorted.

Here’s what the lucky winners will get:

• 101 return economy flights from the winner’s closest domestic port serviced by Virgin Australia to Hamilton Island
• 3 nights’ accommodation at the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island, with a mix of Garden View and Coral Sea View rooms from 20-23 March 2025
• Return Hamilton Island/Marina shuttle bus transfers
• Use of catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment
• Use of the island shuttle
• Use of gym, spa, sauna, and tennis court hire

How do I enter? My friends are counting on me!

I hear ya! There are only a few simple steps (and a bit of luck) standing between you, a tropical holiday, and a lifetime of friends owing you favours. Here’s what you gotta do!

To enter the comp, all you need to do is earn one Velocity Point during the month of June 2024. That’s it.

Joining Velocity Frequent Flyer is totally free and it’s likely you’ll earn Velocity Points just by doing things you already love. For example, if you’re travelling during June and rent a car on an eligible booking with Hertz or Thrifty, you can earn Velocity Points by adding your Velocity membership number to your booking.

Feel like booking a stay as well? You could then book an eligible stay at Discovery Parks, add your Velocity membership number to your booking, and earn even more Points.

Heck, even just filling up the car at 7-Eleven can help earn you Velocity Points (Pssst! Don’t forget to scan your Velocity-linked My 7-Eleven app or Velocity membership card in store when paying)*. Find out more and browse the full range of ways to earn Points through Velocity partners.

What am I going to do in Hamilton Island once I get there?

You mean apart from jumping up and down squealing? Once that’s out of the way, there’s a smorgasbord of nature to explore and beaches to kick back on. When I visited Hamilton Island last year with 12 of my friends (small group compared to 100, I know), here’s what we loved most!

Get ready to go troppo | @kararosenlund

1. Snorkelling Catseye Beach

Within an hour of landing at Hamilton Island, we had our masks on, scissor-kicking along the water’s surface at Catseye Beach. With a reef teeming with all manner of underwater tropical life accessible right off the sand, there’s no better place on the island to chuck on your snorkelling gear. It’s a part of the Great Barrier Reef after all!

Read more: 8 Ways to Minimise Your Impact While Snorkelling and Diving

Just wait til you see what’s below this dreamy blue | @kararosenlund

I spotted a Parrot fish duck behind some pink coral, watched schools of tropical fish dance about, before we all lost our minds whilst swimming amongst a whole family of sea turtles. That warm Queensland water means you can stay out there for ages before you get cold, even without a wetsuit, so there’s endless time to explore.

Hot tip! Wait for the low tide to hit before heading out deep, this’ll save you a lot of doggy paddling as you’ll be able to walk out a lot further.

2. Sunrise Hike Up Passage Peak

Distance: 5.1km
Duration: 2 hours

Getting my friends awake and walking so early took a little bit of convincing, but we all agreed it was more than worth it (and with 100 friends there with ya, you’ll hardly be walking alone).

You can easily start the hike to Passage Peak from your hotel, but you’ll officially be on the track once you reach the Scenic Trail Entrance. There are a few different trails that start from here, so make sure to follow the signs for Passage Peak.

Once you’re on the official track, you’re more or less walking uphill until you reach the peak.

Read more: 10 Essentials Every Day Hiker Needs

A good activity for the early risers in your pack | @nickleary_

The trail climbs up to the treeline, before winding through the temperate rainforest found across many of the Whitsunday Islands. As you gain elevation, you’re teased with glimpses of the big ol’ blue through the branches.

Upon reaching the summit, the trees fall away and the ocean expands in every direction, as dozens of the uninhabited islands that make up the Whitsundays come into view. You also gain an impressive panoramic view back across Hamilton Island itself.

Hot tip! Keep your eyes peeled for the blow of Humpback whales across the water during migration season.

3. Sip Tropical Cocktails by the Swim-Up Bar

If there was one thing we were looking forward to the most at Hamilton Island, it was the cocktails at the swim up pool bar. And it lived up to our high expectations.

There’s literally no quicker way to feel like you’re on holiday than diving into a pool, paddling over to the bar, ordering a frozen Pina Colada, finding a lounge chair, and kicking back, drink in hand.

It’s up to you whether this is your first move to get the holiday started or a reward for squeezing in some adventures first, but whatever you do, don’t skip it.

A pretty nice spot to say cin cin! | @kararosenlund

4. Board a Catamaran and Visit the Surrounding Islands

I must confess, Hamilton Island wasn’t the only island I visited in the Whitsundays. My mates and I spent a week sailing a yacht and a catamaran through this gorgeous region, criss-crossing our way between islands and barely believing our eyes.

Most of us had never sailed before, but the Whitsundays is one of very few magical places on Earth where you don’t need to be an expert to sail (read: motor) the high seas.

Set sail in paradise | @kararosenlund

From Hamilton Island, the Whitsundays’ most photographed scene, Hill Inlet Lookout and the adjoining Whitehaven Beach, are just a few sailing hours away (see, I didn’t even learn the lingo). You could easily visit in a day trip on a catamaran you sailed (read: motored) there yourself.

It’s tricky to pull your eyes away from the famous swirling sands and countless shades of blue that make the inlet famous. And once you’re done gawking down at the beach with the crowds (ok with 100 friends, you’re probably the crowd), go find yourself a private stretch of sand on Whitehaven Beach and soak in the serenity.

Read more: Sailing the Whitsundays With a Baby

5. Take Your Pick of Watersports

With free kayak, SUP, and windsurf hire included in the prize, you’d be mad not to give all of them a go at some stage (yep, even windsurfing).

Within the protective headlands of Catseye Beach there’s endless amounts of adventurous fun to be had.

Head out on a SUP and peer down at the watery lives going on below the surface.

Now that’s a paddlin’ | @nickleary_

If you feel the urge to jump in there yourself and join the party, paddle a kayak out to get to the deeper reefs that are harder to swim to – just don’t forget your snorkel!

When you’re ready to take it up a notch, grab a board, check the wind direction, and get windsurfing! If you’re a novice (like me!) the friendly staff at Hamilton Island Beach Sports are more than happy to give you some tips to help you find your feet.

Are you excited or what? | @kararosenlund

Now imagine doing all of that, with 100 friends. Sounds pretty unforgettable. So you best not forget to enter.

Check out the Velocity brand partners and find out where you might already be spending this June to earn at least one Velocity Frequent Flyer Point and go in the draw to win a trip of a lifetime.

We reckon you’ll be in your friend’s good books for life.

*not applicable in NT, SA, TAS.

Competition ends 30 June 2024. Maximum 10 entries per Entrant. T&Cs apply. NSW Permit No. TP/01843, ACT Permit No. TP24/01031, SA Permit No. T24/804. All Points earned are subject to the Velocity membership terms and conditions and individual partner terms and conditions.

Feature image by @kararosenlund