Barging to Hamilton

For a day trip to Hamilton Island (Hammo as the locals call it) with a difference, we took a ride on Samson: with the master's permission of course.

Samson

Shute Harbour

With two scheduled departures from Shute Harbour Monday to Friday, we checked with the crew first before boarding, then watched supplies for the busiest island in the Whitsundays be loaded and secured for the one hour crossing.

Loading at Shute Harbour

Owned and operated by Hamilton Island, Samson is a landing barge with a carrying capacity of 334 tonnes and can transport up to 260 000 litres of fuel or water. She brings across all the necessary items required for running an island resort: food, alcohol, linen, grocery orders, removal trucks, buggies, maintenance and earth moving equipment and supplies....the list goes on. Stuff has to be removed from the island too; for example, dirty linen and rubbish.

Approaching Hamilton Island marina

The bridge deck

Constructed in 1982 by Keith Williams, and now owned by the Oatley family, Hamilton Island as a tourist destination has continued to develop and prosper. There is a permanent resident population of around 1300 people, with the capacity for over three thousand overnight guests at anyone time. That's a lot of supplies!

Hammo is always busy, but there's plenty to do. Have lunch in one of the numerous restaurants/eateries, have a swim in one of the many pools, drink cocktails in one of the countless bars, play mini golf, big golf, tennis or archery, sail a catamaran or snorkel in Catseye Bay, take a bushwalk, pet an animal in the wildlife park, visit the art galleries, take the glass elevator to the top floor of the Reef View Hotel for a sensational view of surrounding islands and the main resort below. And more.

Departing Hammo

Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you don't miss the boat back!

For more information on the making of Hamilton Island, read The Hamilton Island Story by James Alward.