Well my wife & I have just returned from Brampton Island (still beautiful as ever), then a short stint in the Whitsunday area, then some time up the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park & Finch Hatton Gorge.
If anyone is considering visiting any of these areas, I can give advice on costs, places to visit & not to visit(like Hamilton Island for one)
Brampton Island was just as beautiful as it was 40 years ago on our honeymoon. We even found the tree we got photographed under so many years ago. We have shrunk & the tree has grown. The sea temperature was gorgeous, and best of all, no daytrippers call to the island, like they do in the Whitsundays.
I must say sitting outside on Brampton at a degustation dinner & matching wines, with a full moon & garden flares burning, was something I wont forget (the wine was good to).

Good to hear about Brampton and that you enjoyed it tropo for whilst I do not think it'll be likely that you would get any opposition in thoughts of the abomination of Hamilton, some of the smaller resorts have done it tougher and some apparently not the best - one at Long Island not so good at the moment from another report I've seen.

How the authorities could have ever endorsed something like Hamilton defies the imagination as does why people would want to stay there, but then I have rellies who'd like nothing better than to holiday in a high rise at the GC and suppose likewise they'd take to Hamilton!

Thanks tropo...I have great memories of Brampton Island from our trip there in July 2002. What a beautiful island!! I loved the view from the top of Brampton peak and the lovely walk around the island, with its secluded coves and beaches. Also really enjoyed sailing the small catamarans the resort lets out. We had good breezes in the late afternoon - perfect conditons. Also remember golfing, looking out for the 'roos (and their poo!) on the course.

Would go again in a heartbeat!

tropo...did you snorkel? How was it?

Bushranger - I haven't heard the report on Long Island that you mention.
When we visited Daydream Island, we berthed on the opposite side of the main resort area, and the shops/cafes there were painted in strange colours, looked tired, and overall a bit tacky, if you know what I mean. I am sure the accommodation on Hamilton would be quite nice, buts its the large number of people who visit or stay there that puts me off. When I walked along the main beach area, I felt it was like being on Bondi Beach. We both like being on an island, which you feel you own, with quite/scenic spots to be discovered, not with 'rent a crowd' like on Hamilton. Yes, there are people who very gregarious & who have to be around other people.
RalphR - yes, Brampton certainly has that certain charm, and beautiful walking tracks. We walked to the summit once again, and also around to Western Bay, and had a swim in Dinghy Bay, lovely white sand & blue/blue/blue water, and not another person in sight.
As you would be aware the coral in the passage between Brampton & Carlisle, was brought in some years ago. The snorkelling is not that great there.
However, they do have a "snorkel safari" where they take you by boat, to a location down past the main jetty, where the coral is beautiful, and water crystal clear.
I couldn't get over the High Tide we had one morning, 5.97m - the sea actually cut off the rock pool. I'm sure we had high tides there years ago, but I had forgotten.

tropo
"As you would be aware the coral in the passage between Brampton & Carlisle, was brought in some years ago."
Never knew that and are you saying they went and dug up some coral and transported it to Brampton?, amazing if so, and where did it come from for you wouldn't have thought the GBR Park authority would have had any of that!