Mik's Destination Tip: Hamilton Island AUSTRALIA

Hamilton Island is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations. With its white beaches, famous blue-green waters and abundance of marine life, "Hamo" - as the locals affectionately call it - is the largest and most populated of the Whitesundays, an archipelago of 74 picturesque islands off the coast. Hamilton Island has a population of just over 1,000 and has its own airport, post office, supermarket and a range of visitor accommodation. It is a convenient base from which to explore nearby Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and Great Barrier Reef.

Hamilton Island is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. A full day snorkeling or diving tour can be booked on the island and will take you to famous dive sites nearby, such as Stepping Stones, Paradise Lagoon and Manta Ray Drop Off. Helicopter and seaplane flights over the reef and untouched Whitehaven Beach are another option and a good way to see the famous Heart Reef, a breathtaking coral composition that is naturally shaped into the shape of a heart. Families with young children and those seeking a more relaxed experience can take a day trip on a catamaran to see the spectacular coral formations of the Great Barrier Reef and hundreds of species of fish, turtles and manta rays.