Australian Resort Islands

See below for all journeys to Australian Resort Islands

The Great Barrier Reef is home to Australia’s many resort islands, from the exclusive Bedarra Island, the popular Hamilton Island and luxurious Orpheus Island. Each island getaway is unique but they all share a commonality – pristine beaches, natural beauty, outdoor adventure and amazing wildlife. Australians love the beach and with some of the most beautiful islands in the world now is the perfect time to explore our local paradises, they are only a short flight away.

Hamilton Island

Part of the Whitsundays, an archipelago of 74 islands off the Queensland coast, lies spectacular Hamilton Island. Situated in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, it is famous for its pristine white beaches, clear blue waters and its abundance of wildlife. With easy access to this tropical oasis by a 60 minute ferry from Airlie Beach or a direct flight, you can do as little or as much as you like. Being a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef spend the day snorkeling or diving, visit the world-famous Whitehaven Beach with its brilliant white silica sand that needs to be seen to be believed, experience a multitude of watersports and activities to a game of golf on a 18-hole championship course, you will be spoiled for choice. From luxury resorts and bungalows to hotels and rental apartments Hamilton Island has many wonderful accommodation options for honeymoon couples to family getaways.

Hayman Island

Situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and in close proximity to Hamilton Island this is the largest island in the Whitsundays. After its closure due to Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and then the arrival of COVID in March 2020, Hayman recently reopened in September 2020, better than ever with the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment. This private island resort with its stunning natural beauty has many outdoor experiences from snorkeling, diving, underwater scootering (a scooter built for exploring the reef to a depth of 2.5 metres), hiking and sailing to an island tour or just laying by the pool/beach with cocktail/beer in hand Hayman offers a diverse range of wonderful activities to make your holiday here truly unforgettable.

Orpheus Island

Located about 80 kilometres north of Townsville the secluded Orpheus Island is small (only 12 kilometres long), but it is big on luxury, from stunning accommodation to wonderful natural beauty. Perfect for nature lovers, the island is mostly unspoiled national park and has a number of walking tracks that take you into the stunning Orpheus Island National Park. From native mammals, birds and reptiles to an abundance of fish species, dolphins, reef sharks and humpback whales (when the season is right – June to September) and not forgetting pampering spa treatments and spectacular cuisine (from the one restaurant on the island which menu changes every day and uses local ingredients) you will certainly feel very special to be experiencing this amazing part of the world.

Bedarra Island

This exclusive tropical playground where rainforest meets the waters edge is located off the North Queensland coast between Cairns and Townsville. This stunning privately owned reef fringed island is limited to only 20 guests (adults only) with no day visitors allowed, and only accessible by private launch from nearby Dunk Island. There are walking tracks to explore and many water activities to choose from with included use of kayaks, paddle boards and snorkelling equipment, this is the perfect island for a relaxing and luxurious holiday escape for couples or a group of friends. If privacy and seclusion is your idea of the perfect beach holiday, this is the place to be as the few accommodation options here are hidden in lush tropical rainforest or for even more privacy you can book out the entire resort and have it all to yourself.

Lady Elliot Island

Just a short 25 minute flight from Bundaberg will have you arriving at Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost and first island on the Great Barrier Reef. This coral cay is famous for its population of over 700 manta rays, its extraordinary marine life with over 1200 species and its many dive sites, 20 in total. It’s also home to numerous birds and is now one of the most important seabird nesting sites in the entire Great Barrier Reef.

You can either take a day trip or make the most of the island and stay longer in one of their Eco certified accommodation options. There’s so much to do on this little touch of paradise with island tours and snorkelling and diving where you might just get to spot the Great 8 – clownfish, giant clams, manta ray, maori wrasse, potato cod, sharks, turtles and whales.

Lizard Island

Accessible only by private charter from Cairns Airport, Lizard Island is the northernmost resort island in tropical Queensland with over a 1000 hectares of national park and surrounded by 24 pristine beaches. The flight takes about an hour and gives you the chance to see the majesty and scale of the reef below in all of its natural beauty. Renowned for its snorkeling and scuba diving and with its close proximity to one of the best diving sites along the Great Barrier Reef – Cod Hole, part of the string of long narrow Ribbon Reefs and home to a school of friendly potato cod who you can hand feed, it makes Lizard Island the island of choice for serious divers. The five-star retreat, Lizard Island Resort is the only development on the island and is an all-inclusive experience. From your luxury accommodation and gourmet meals to unlimited use of kayaks and paddle boards. If camping is more your style there is a camping area at the northern end of scenic Watson Bay.

Heron Island

Another stunning island located in the Great Barrier Reef is Heron Island, located a 2.5 hour boat ride off the coast of Gladstone. From snorkeling, diving (visit one of Jacques Cousteau’s favourite dive sites – Heron Bommie) to extraordinary wildlife. Green and loggerhead turtles return to the island each year to nest, with each turtle returning to the same spot where they themselves had once hatched. When it’s time for the hatchlings to enter into the world guests can watch (under strict guidelines) make their way to the water’s edge – turtle season runs from November to March with hatchlings emerging in early January. This is the perfect island paradise for those wanting a resort style holiday with the experience of getting in touch with nature.

Haggerstone Island

One of the most remote and private island resorts in Australia and situated 600 kilometres from Cairns Haggerstone is accessible by chartered flight from either Cairns or Weipa. Inspired by PNG and African style architecture each individually designed beachfront villa offers absolute privacy and spectacular ocean views. There are many activities for guests to enjoy, with snorkeling and diving available all year round due to the warm tropical temperatures.

Rottnest Island

Last but not least (and not in Queensland!) is beautiful Rottnest Island, just 18 kilometres off the coast of Perth and a short ferry ride away. Because of its small size it’s easy to get around, the most common being by bike which takes about half the day to ride around the whole island, the other option is by bus. There are 63 soft sand beaches on the island which makes for a great destination for swimming, snorkeling, diving and surfing. You can join a guided group dive and explore shipwrecks and underwater canyons or join a boat charter and meet the local sea lion colony. A trip to Rottnest is not complete without a visit from the cutest animal in the world, the photogenic Quokka. Apart from a small colony on the mainland they are found nowhere else on earth. Whether you go for the day or stay a few nights, Rottnest Island is an amazing destination for outdoor adventure and activities, stunning beaches and unique wildlife experiences.

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