This Australian tourist destination is banning cash, and travellers aren't happy

The popular holiday hotspot stopped accepting cash during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the policy has continued years later.

Hamilton Island became cashless due to health and safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Getty / EyesWideOpen

Key Points

• An island in Queensland is no longer accepting cash payments at any of its outlets.
• The popular tourist destination became cashless over health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Its management team has decided to continue the policy, citing health and wellbeing, convenience and security.

Holidays at one of Australia's most popular tourism destinations have changed in recent years — and not everybody is happy about it.

The privately owned North Queensland island no longer accepts cash payments at any of its outlets.

Hamilton Island officially became a cashless environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its operators decided to continue the policy on an ongoing basis despite the relaxation of pandemic restrictions.

"The choice to become cashless was driven by the imperative to ensure the safety of our guests and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic," the Hamilton Island website reads.

"Following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, we have opted to continue this approach."

The website claims cashless transactions facilitate a more hygienic environment for guests and staff, and a "hassle-free and efficient" way to make payments.

The management team also cited security and a reduced risk of loss or theft as contributing factors behind the decision to remain cashless.

Some members of the Facebook group Cash Is King criticised the policy, and suggested boycotting the island.

"Everybody should boycott it then, nobody go there and see how long it lasts," Jodie Baker wrote.

"Too expensive anyway, they can keep their cashless society and stay there," Frank Torcaso wrote.

Hamilton Island became a cashless environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the policy has continued. Source: Facebook / Cash Is King

Another user had a different view.

"I'm pro cash, but this one makes sense? There are no banks," WazzaGc wrote on X.

"Moving cash around for small business would be a major pain and cost, though I think the whole joint is owned by the same conglomerate. Was there late last year, wasn't fussed."

Cash deposits and withdrawals can be made on the island using the Bank@Post service at the Australia Post office, where cash can also be exchanged for pre-paid or top-up Mastercards.

Fee-free card payments can be processed via cheque and savings accounts through EFTPOS, but a 1.25 per cent surcharge applies to credit and 'tap and go' transactions made via credit or debit cards.