If Hamilton Island Race Week is on your boating bucket list, the best advice is simple: plan your trip early to make sure it’s all smooth sailing.
Held every August, “Hammo” as it’s affectionately known by seasoned sailors, is one of Australia’s most beloved yachting regattas, combining serious racing by day with copious shoreside fun throughout the week.
Why is it so popular?
Running since 1983, Hamilton Island Race Week has grown to become one of Australia’s largest offshore sailing regattas with an action-packed on-water and off-water program. Participants are split into a grand prix for top-class racers, and an IRC passage class for modern fast-cruising yachts, performance racing and the fastest growing division, multihulls, both racing and cruising.
How to get there
If you’re not going by boat, the Hamilton Island Race Week website has detailed information relating to transport to and from the town and regatta village.
Where to stay
As you can imagine, Hamilton Island is chocka-block during race week, so you need to get accommodation sorted well in advance. Here are the six most popular options for participating race crew:
- Luxury options: Qualia and the Beach Club
- Reef View Hotel
- Palm Bungalows
- Hamilton Island Holiday Homes
- Yacht Club Villas
Many racegoers also choose to stay aboard the yacht they’re sailing with during the week. Each year hundreds of yachties descend on the marina, so the atmosphere is always buzzing. Don’t worry, you won’t have to shower on deck in your budgie smugglers! There are public bathroom facilities ashore for yacht crew, open 24 hours.
Check out this handy list on the regatta’s official website for further accommodation ideas: https://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/hotels-accommodation
What to eat
You can bring your own food, or utilise Crew Catering through Bob’s Bakery. There’s also an IGA Supermarket nearby, where you can stock up on fresh produce. Keep meals simple and make use of island facilities for top-ups. The easiest approach is to plan for quick breakfasts and boat-friendly lunches, then enjoy a couple of great nights on shore with your crew.
Make it happen!
For regatta dates, entry info and updates: https://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/
Hamilton Island’s main event page is also useful: https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/sports-events/hamilton-island-race-week
If you’re thinking about a race week campaign, a cruising trip North, or getting your boat ready for travel, we can help you plan so everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Get In Touch
Please let us know how we can assist you.