Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands, a collection of wet drowned mountains situated close to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. Hamilton Island is located at Unlike most islands off the east coast of Australia, Hamilton Island is used almost exclusively for tourism. However the island is catering for a growing number of residents, both employees of the various businesses on the island and also those people choosing to retire and enjoy the lifestyle. The island is on long term lease from the Queensland government by the notable Oatley family. The Oatley's own and run Hamilton Island Enterprises which operates the majority of accommodation and businesses on the island.