Australia remains a much-sought destination for many and it’s not difficult to see why. What lies beyond it’s tightly-defended borders are experiences unlike others found on the planet. In previous blogs we’ve covered incredible road trips you can take, making the most of memorable attractions and geological features. Check out our recommended routes for Australia’s south west coast and also the Great Ocean Road. The driving routes are only one of many great features of the country though. Around it, lies over 8000 islands. Although many are uninhabited, some make great bases for day trips or overnight stays. We cover ten of the best islands around Australia below.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island. Photo by: Andrew Bayda/Adobe Stock
Whitsunday Islands
This is a group of 74 of the most popular islands clustered along the east coast of Australia. They fall within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park so offer some great diving and snorkelling opportunities. Only 5 of the islands have resorts on them- Hayman Islands, Hamilton Island, Koala Adventure Island, Daydream Island, and Long Island. There’s mixed attractions between them, from parties to backpacking, romantic overnight stays to bushwalking, camping to luxurious 5-star accommodation. Hamilton Island and Hayman Island have some of the most famous luxury resorts on them, favourited by stars such as Oprah Winfrey.
The largest island is Whitsunday Island, home to the iconic 7km Whitehaven Beach. The sand found here is made up of 98% pure silica which gives it an incredible white appearance. It also means heat retention is minimal so it’s comfortable to walk on in high temperatures. The beach has won awards for its cleanliness, helped by the ban on dogs and smoke cigarettes.
Access to the islands is from Airlie Beach by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
Rottnest Island
Located on the west coast, south of Perth, this island was once used as a military base. Here you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot quokka; one of very few locations they can be found. It’s also great for swimming and snorkelling.
Magnetic Island
Swim among the reef, go koala spotting, meander the walking trails, or visit the beach front bar for a cocktail- indulge in relaxation. It also hosts what was the Full Moon Down Under Festival, now the Island Life Beach Festival. Found off the coast of Townsville, ferry transfers are available from here.
Quokka. Photo by: Jana Schönknecht/Adobe Stock
Fitzroy Island
Take a short ferry ride from Cairns to take advantage of the trampoline in the sea, nudist beach, beach front bar, rainforest walks, and paddleboard/kayak hire. Due to rough waters, swimming and snorkelling is only advisable at Nudey Beach and Welcome Bay. Ride out on a glass bottomed boat to see parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
Fraser Island
This is the largest sand dune island in the world. The rough waters around it means swimming isn’t safe but the main draw here are the lakes within the island. There are over 100 freshwater lakes to discover. Lake Mckenzie is one of the most popular, sitting on top of a sand dune surrounded by pure silica sand. Blue waters are found here, so the emerald green of Lake Wabby is a striking contrast.
Although there are no sealed roads on the island, the 75 Mile Beach is a national registered highway- so 4x4s are necessary!
Wander the eucalyptus forest, go in search of dingoes or spot the shipwreck of the SS Maheno on the shore.
Maheno shipwreck on Fraser Island. Photo by: elisabono/Adobe Stock
Phillip Island
Take the 1.5-hour trip south from Melbourne to the home of the Penguin Parade. Each evening, catch some of the 32,000-strong population of penguins head to the shore to come home for the night.
If you’re into motorsports, then a visit to the Grand Prix track is a must with guided tours daily at 2pm. Take a ride around the track in a go-kart, on a bicycle or in the passenger seat of a race car with a professional driver.
There’s also the popular Koala Conservation Centre; a great opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat. You’ll find out more about the creatures and conservation efforts to protect them. Moonlit Sanctuary offers a similar experience; an open plan wildlife park with snakes, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, dingoes and koalas among others.
Surfing opportunities are great at Woolamai Surf Beach which features waves up to 10ft high.
Lord Howe Island
600km south east of Sydney lies this remnant of a volcanic eruption. With tall mountains to scale, coral pools to discover, walking trails to explore and lots of wildlife to spot, you’re bound to be able to fill a day here. However, this trip won’t suit smaller budgets as the only way to reach the island is by plane from either Sydney Airport or Brisbane Airport.
Around 75% of the island has been left untouched, protected by a preservation order. There’s also the world’s largest sea stack located off the southeast coast, Balls Pyramid, which offers diving opportunities and cave exploration. Climb the tallest point, Mount Gower. The range of landscapes here are home to many different plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world.
View over Lord Howe Island. Photo by: Ashley Whitworth/Adobe Stock
Kangaroo Island
This is the third largest Australian island after Tasmania and Melville Island. Discover the sand dunes of Little Sahara and sandboard down the slopes. More than a third of the island is protected by national parks. Locate kangaroos, seal colonies, koalas and wombats. Flinders Chase National Park is the largest, providing sanctuary for endangered species and features geological phenomena such as Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Kelly Hill Conservation Park features a range of limestone caves, perfect for exploration by guided tour.
Cockatoo Island
This is a great place to visit to learn more about Australia’s convict history as the island once served as a convict penal settlement but is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also retains the nation’s most extensive and varied record of shipbuilding. Take the ferry from Sydney and spend a day on this island. Alternatively, spend the night- the camp ground here attracts around 20,000 campers a year. The island is particularly popular on New Year’s Eve when people come to see Sydney’s impressive firework display. Audio and guided tours are available on the island from the visitor’s centre. Areas were used as filming locations for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Great Keppel Island
This is the largest of a group of 18 islands and has a whopping 17 white sand beaches to relax upon. Visit the Leeke Homestead for an insight into the tumultuous history of the island. The listed heritage site demonstrates the evolution of Queensland’s history. Spend the night in a tent, cabin or private beach house.
View over Hamilton Island. Photo by: superjoseph/Adobe Stock
Hamilton Island
As mentioned previously, this is part of the Whitsunday Islands group. Although seen as a predominantly luxurious getaway, day packages are available for a backpacker budget. Discover infinity pools, a wide range of cocktails and the golf course. In late August, it hosts the annual yachting festival Hamilton Island Race Week. Join more than 250 yachts from Australia and New Zealand for a week of races around the islands.
Explore the best islands around Australia – but don’t forget your hire car for the rest of the country!
Australia has so much to offer- don’t limit yourself to one region by not hiring a car. Explore your base as much as possible to get the most from your trip. Get a quote today.
Have you visited any of the Australian islands before? Let us know which ones and your highlights in the comments below!
Written by Jessica Juby.
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