first charted these waters on his voyage in 1770. In 1866, hydrographer Commander George Nares gave Hayman its name in honour of Thomas Hayman, the master of the HMS Salamander in which they were travelling. The two carried out many exploits together, becoming the first to pass through the Suez Canal and completing a dangerous navigation around Antarctica. at Hayman Island, owned by Barrier Reef Airways, May 1951. Founded after World War II by Captain S. Middlemiss and acquired by Ansett Transport Industries in 1950. A small motor boat is ferrying the passengers to the resort. Edwin Embury, a schoolteacher, dreamer, and amateur scientist established a biological research laboratory on the island in 1933. The abundant wildlife and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef made Hayman an ideal base for scientific discovery. Whitsundays’ fishermen Bob and Bert Hallam established the Great Barrier Reef Game Fish Angling Club in 1935, attracting local and international game fishing enthusiasts who arrived by coastal steamer. One of them was Zane Grey, American novelist, filmmaker and big game fisherman. Grey planted the first coconut palm on the island and, in 1936, Hayman became the idyllic tropical backdrop for his comedy drama, ‘White Death’.
Luxury resort
In 1947, Ansett Transport Industries acquired the island. Work began on the Royal Hayman Hotel, which was opened in 1950 by Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Fadden in anticipation of a royal visit to Australia, for which Hayman was granted a Royal Charter. Arrival on Hayman was by Catalina and Sandringham flying boat. In July 1985, a two-year, $300 million project commenced to transform the island into a luxury resort. The works were carried out by Thiess Contractors and in 1987 Hayman was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World. In May 1998, Hayman Island was sold to the BT Hotel Group. The resort undertook another significant renovation in 2001 and received many of its modern five-star luxury amenities.
New developments
In June 2004, Mulpha Australia acquired Hayman, and, in January 2010, after almost six years of planning, design and environmental consultations, the final approvals were granted. The initial phase of this strategic plan has included revitalisation of the Hayman pool and the construction of luxurious new Kerry Hill designed beach villas. Hayman re-opened on 1 August 2011 after five months of extensive restoration on the island, due to the severe impact of Tropical Cyclone Anthony and cyclone Yasi earlier that year. This period of closure enabled Hayman to complete the repairs required to landscapes, guest and accommodation areas, activity facilities and essential infrastructure as well as undertake other planned projects. In the surrounds of the resort, a new botanical garden has some 33,000 new plants and 327 new plant species having been introduced by landscape designer, horticulturalist and personality, Jamie Durie, who was engaged to replant Hayman's 16 hectares of gardens. It is managed by the InterContinental Hotels Group.
