Front-row seats of the racing from a superyacht. Josh Niland on the menu. MECCA COSMETICA SPF in your beach bag? Yes please! The Sundays – Hamilton Island’s new boutique hotel – brings a fresh take on Race Week.
This year’s Race Week, presented by American Express, marks the 40th anniversary of Hamilton Island Race Week – a landmark sailing regatta and lifestyle event.
With laidback luxury to Hamilton Island Race Week for the first time, The Sundays offers a three-day escape that reimagines how guests dine, unwind and connect — all during one of the country’s most iconic island celebrations.
Designed to capture the spirit of a long, lazy Sunday – every day of the week – The Sundays opened to acclaim in April 2025 earning praise for its refined coastal aesthetic and relaxed island sensibility. At its heart is Catseye Pool Club, the hotel’s signature restaurant led by acclaimed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland.
Race Week Reimagined at The Sundays
The Sundays will offer an experience shaped by exceptional food, great company and the laidback luxury of Australia’s Tropical Island.
Highlights include a waters’-edge long lunch at Catseye Pool Club, curated by Josh Niland and presented by MECCA COSMETICA — a multi-course menu, showcasing seasonal produce, served with Champagne by Charles Heidsieck and a signature touch of MECCA COSMETICA magic.
Guests will also enjoy an exclusive dinner under the stars on Catseye Beach. The beachfront menu crafted by celebrated chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone will be paired with WHIPBIRD Wines and storytelling from master winemaker Larry Cherubino.
The experience culminates with VIP access aboard Superyacht Impulsive – complete with Champagne, canapés, and front-row views of the on-water action.
Nick Dowling, CEO of Hamilton Island, says, “Hamilton Island Race Week has become a standout on Australia’s winter calendar – part regatta, part island-wide celebration – and is one of my favourite weeks on the island each year.”
Olympic-Class Sailing Takes Centre Stage
New for 2025, the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er Series brings Olympic-calibre talent to Australia’s premier offshore event. From 17-19 August, the daily showdown – affectionately dubbed the ‘Wetisloe Cup’ – will see elite Australian and New Zealand 49er (men’s) and 49erFX (women’s) crews go head-to-head in front of the iconic Walter Barda-designed Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
Expect fierce rivalry, fast boats, and front-row views of the world’s best skiff sailors in action.
“We’re thrilled to host this unique opportunity to watch Olympic-class sailors in action – especially as the Whitsundays prepares to host sailing events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games,” adds Nick Dowling.
“We hope this inspires a new generation of sailors to get out on the water.”
Mark ‘Ricko’ Richards, CEO of Palm Beach Motor Yachts and skipper of supermaxi Wild Oats XI, says, “I’ve had the privilege of both racing and soaking up the unique atmosphere of Race Week since the start.
“What we build into our motor yachts – performance, precision and style – is exactly what Race Week is all about.”
The series also carries significance in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, giving both nations’ high-performance sailing programs the chance to compete under Whitsundays conditions.
Australia’s line-up features Olympians Evie Haseldine (49erFX) and Shaun Connor (49er), along with Women’s America’s Cup sailors Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot and Youth America’s Cup sailors Max Paul and Jack Ferguson.
Australian Sailing’s High Performance Director Ian Brambell says the event provides a valuable training platform, adding, “The Australian Sailing Team is thrilled to be re-joining forces with Hamilton Island with this fantastic event for our skiff sailors to train and compete in one of the world’s most iconic sailing locations.
“This event also serves as a tremendous opportunity to test out the waters and conditions of one of the potential locations for the Brisbane 2032 sailing venue.”
