HAMILTON ISLAND – GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES NEW GOLF COURSE AND YACHT CLUB

  - More Experiences At World-Class Island Destination -

NEW YORK, NY February 16, 2009 --- Proud partner of Tourism Queensland’s recently launched ‘Best Job in the World’ campaign, Hamilton Island announced today a six-month countdown to the opening of two new world-class experiences to add to last year’s addition of qualia (Australia’s newest luxury resort) - the Peter Thomson designed 18 hole Hamilton Island Golf Course and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

Hamilton Island Golf Course
Scheduled for opening mid-2009, The Hamilton Island Golf Course is a 6,083m, par 71 course set on neighboring Dent Island and features unparalleled panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands from all 18 holes. Designer, Peter Thomson AO CBE, is a five time British Open winner with more than 40 years experience in golf course design.  His partner, Ross Perrett is a planner and landscape architect and has designed golf courses for more than 25 years. 

Designed with tee complexes to sit alongside the best courses in the world, both resort guests and professionals will be challenged by fully-manicured greens and fairways set in the hardy and undulating natural bush terrain of the island - a short five-minute boat ride from Hamilton Island.

Hamilton Island Yacht Club & Luxury Villas
Hot on the heels of his yacht ‘Wild Oats XI’ fourth Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race win, Hamilton Island owner -  Bob Oatley - will also be opening the new, multi-million dollar Hamilton Island Yacht Club with 35 Luxury Villas, developed in partnership with famed yachtsman Iain Murray .

The centre of lifestyle and boating and the gateway to the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef, the venue will offer state-of-the art facilities for corporate events and weddings, as well as a contemporary restaurant, alfresco bar and casual dining precinct open to guests and the public as well as member-only private dining room, wellness spa, and an indoor, heated pool. 

Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Offering a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, bars, pools and shops, not to mention over 40 activities, Hamilton Island is within a short, direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. Hamilton Island is on the same latitude in the southern hemisphere as Honolulu in the north with an average, year-round temperature of 81F.   Visitors from North America can experience everything that is great about tropical Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs and diverse flora and fauna. For more information and bookings visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au.

Tourism Queensland’s ‘Best Job in the World”
Hamilton Island is proud to be Tourism Queensland’s major partner in the global search for a candidate to fulfill the ‘Best Job in the World’  – Island Caretaker for the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Hamilton Island will be the home base for the Island Caretaker who will be responsible for discovering and promoting the Islands and instilling desire for travelers from around the world to visit Queensland. The Island Caretaker will enjoy six months in an oceanfront luxury villa on Hamilton Island from where they will swim, snorkel, bushwalk on the wondrous Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and report back on their adventures via blogs, video diaries and media interviews to a global audience.  To apply for  the Island Caretaker position  go to www.islandreefjob.com before Feb.  22, 2009.

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