DISCOVER YOUR NEXT QUEENSLAND ISLAND HOLIDAY

The Queensland Islands are home to some truly breathtaking natural landscapes. Whether you’re a nature lover looking to explore the great outdoors, or a busy person hoping to unwind in the sun, there are plenty of  Australia holidays that you can take close to home.

A Queensland Island Holiday is a fantastic way to explore the iconic Great Barrier Reef and appreciate Australia’s stunning native wildlife. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with a family or on your own, there are plenty of QLD holidays that will tick all of your boxes.

Read through this guide to explore deals to Queensland and find the best Queensland islands that are right for you.

 

Fraser Island

Located about 300 km north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is a site of vast ecological and geological diversity. Fraser Island is known for its beautiful beaches, sand cliffs, dune blowouts and tall rainforests. This island near Gold Coast can’t be beat.

Fraser Island, Queensland, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its striking natural beauty. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, with over 250 km of beach to explore.  Make the most of the long stretches of sandy beaches by driving along them in a 4WD. Explore the long sandy highway at the famous 75 Mile Beach by either taking a 4WD tour or going out on your own.

Don’t miss out on the chance to swim in a perched rainwater lake, a lake formed when rainwater fills depressions in the sand dunes. Fraser Island has over half of the world’s perched lakes with both clear “white water” and dark “black water”. Fraser Island is also a great place to see humpback whales. Take a whale watching cruise for your chance to see Fraser Island’s incredible marine life.

Any hiking enthusiast will love the opportunity to explore the Fraser Island Great Walk. The 90 km track passes through the Island’s most remarkable sites, including Lake McKenzie and the rainforest trees in the Valley of the Giants. Walking the whole track will take about six days, but you can also walk along parts of it in shorter day trips.

There are range of accommodation choices on Fraser Island, including Hotels and camping.

 

Hayman Island

Hayman Island is the northernmost of the Whitsunday Islands.  White sand beaches and grassy cliffs make this Queensland island stand out.  Hayman Island is home to all sorts of animals including white cockatoos, painted lorikeets and kingfishers. No Hayman Island holidays are complete without a swim in the crystal blue ocean waters. Hayman Island is a private island that is open to the public. If you’re looking to stay right on one of the Great Barrier Reef islands, Hayman Island is a great option. 

While many other islands have all sorts of Queensland resorts to choose from, Hayman Island only has one. InterContinental Hayman Island Resort offers 168 different rooms and suites across three distinct parts of the island. Choose between beachfront villas, luxury private residences and poolside rooms. 

Travel to the island using one of Hayman’s private yachts, or use a private charter helicopter or Air Whitsunday seaplane. Enjoy relaxing spa treatments and indulge in delicious food and drink, and then relax at night with a sunset cruise.

Hayman Island is a luxury destination for anyone looking to enjoy a slice of paradise. If you’re looking to stay in one of the more luxurious Whitsundays resorts, Hayman Island is the travel destination for you.

 

Daydream Island

Daydream Island is one of the small Islands around Australia, measuring only 1km in length. It’s one of the islands of the Molle Group, a smaller sub-group of islands in the Whitsundays. 

The recently renovated Daydream Island Resort is the only place to stay overnight on the island. Having recently undergone a $100 million redevelopment, the island offers modern rooms and suites for you to enjoy. The option to book an interconnecting family room makes this a great option for a family holiday. Queensland has so much natural beauty to discover, and you can soak it all in with the whole family at Daydream Island. Daydream Island has the only living coral lagoon in an Australian resort. The Living Reef wraps around the central resort building, and is home to over 100 different marine species. 

At the underwater observatory, you can watch fish, rays and small sharks swimming around the reef. Learn about the magic of the ocean at the Exploration Centre, and speak to one of the resident marine biologists to find out more about the incredible biodiversity. Also make sure to visit the outdoor aquarium, which features 80 different marine animals and 50 types of coral.

For nearby accommodation options for your perfect home away from home holiday, see the extensive Queensland choices.

 

Moreton Island

Made entirely of sand, Moreton Island is a beautiful beach destination that offers something for everyone. You can surf and swim at white sandy beaches, feed bottlenose dolphins by hand and take a 4WD desert safari. Moreton Island is also a perfect place for nature lovers looking to spend time in Whitsundays. The Moreton Island National Park covers 98 per cent of the Island. Bird watchers will love the opportunity to spot migratory birds at the Moreton bay Marine Park. 

Moreton Island, Queensland is located only 40km off the coast of Brisbane. Take a Moreton Island ferry departing from Brisbane in order to get to the island. Thanks to the quick commute, this Whitsunday Island holiday’s perfect for a weekend trip from Brisbane.

For a snorkeling experience like none other, you can swim out to explore a shipwreck. Moreton Island is home to 15 boats at the bottom of the ocean. The old dredges and barges were deliberately sunken in 1963 in order to create a breakwall, which you can now snorkel down to explore.

There are several accommodation options but the most luxurious accommodation choice is the Tangalooma Island Resort. The luxury resort offers villas, apartments and island houses for you to choose from. You can book yourself a property of another option for Moreton Island accommodation is glamping. You can get close to nature in a fully-furnished tent and communal camp kitchen, and then spend your days kayaking, hiking and snorkeling.

 

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays. If you’re looking for a mix of relaxing Whitsunday holidays and exciting island life, Hamilton Island is for you. As the capital of the Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island has no shortage of things for you to do.

The Hamilton Islands are a great jumping off point to explore the Great Barrier Reef. You can book snorkelling and diving tours, and can take helicopter flights to see the reef from up above.

This is also a fantastic place to swim, kayak, fish and jetski. The crystal clear waters will call your name as soon as you step foot on the island. While you’re visiting Hamilton Island, you can take a day trip out to Whitehaven beach, one of the most pristine beaches in the area.

If you’re visiting in August, make sure to check out Hamilton Island Race Week, an exciting week of sailing and other festivities.

Hamilton Island has its own airport, meaning that you can fly in directly from many different Australian cities. The island has its own post office and supermarket, and there are all sorts of Hamilton Island accommodation options for you to choose from, including fabulous Hotels and Resorts. 

One of the most well-known Hamilton Island hotels is Qualia, a celebrity-studded luxury resort. For a more low-key experience, there are many other hotels and villas to choose from and Hamilton Island deals to take advantage of. There is no shortage of Whitsundays accommodation options to explore on Hamilton island.

 

Heron Island

Heron Island is a nature-lover’s paradise. If you’re looking for Australian island holidays that offer you complete access to the outdoors, Heron Island is the destination for you.

True to its name, Heron Island is a prime spot for bird watchers. Up to 100,000 different species of birds breed on the island, making it a biodiversity hot spot. It’s no surprise that Sir David Attenborough filmed part of his Great Barrier Reef documentary series right on this island.

Heron Island is also a nesting ground for green and loggerhead turtles, who return to nest in the same spot every year. If you visit between October and April, you can watch hatchlings emerge from their nests and make their way down to the water. For nature lovers, Heron Island is one of the best holiday destinations QLD has to offer.

You can dive underwater to explore the extraordinary marine life, or visit the island’s semi-submarine I-SPY to take a peek underwater while staying fully dry. For extraordinary  Great Barrier Reef holidays like none other, Heron Island is the place to go.

The only option for Heron Island accommodation is the Heron Island Resort. The 109 room resort offers many different types of rooms for all types of travellers.

 

Lizard Island

Lizard Island is the ultimate choice for a luxurious stay in paradise. This island is home to 40 different luxury Queensland island resorts for you to choose from. Enjoy delicious Australian cuisine, including fresh seafood and local wine. For a real getaway, head off to a private beach. Some beaches are only accessible by dinghy, providing you complete isolation and relaxation.

Lizard Island, Queensland is a fantastic place to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. The Cod Hole, located about an hour from Lizard Island, is one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. Its incredible array of fish and brightly coloured coral make it a dive site like no other.

Lizard Island offers you ultimate luxury and relaxation, as well as some of the best all inclusive resorts Queensland has to offer – Lizard Island Resort, . If you’re looking for the best North Queensland holidays, Lizard Island is for you. 

 

Green Island

Green Island is a lush paradise located only a stone’s throw away from Cairns. These islands off Cairns make a perfect weekend getaway, since they’re located only a 45 minute boat ride away from the city. Green Island is located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Australian government recognises Green Island as a protected area due to its unique and sensitive island ecosystem.

Green Island Queensland is home to over 120 species of plants, as well as bird life and coral reefs. Explore the lush rainforest and vibrant marine life in this island paradise. Green Island snorkeling is like nothing you’ll ever experience — the reef around the island is home to almost 300 types of corals, and has no shortage of unique marine animals.

If you’re looking for sustainable holiday packages, you can stay in the Green Island Resort, an eco-friendly resort that prioritises sustainability.

 

Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island may be small, but there is no shortage of things to do. If you’re looking for Queensland holidays with fantastic natural landscapes and outdoor activities, Fitzroy Island has you covered. This is the place for nature-lovers — 97 per cent of Fitzroy Island is made up of National Park land. Hike the spectacular walking trails that wind all over the island, and trek to the very top of the lighthouse to get a view of the entire four km² island.

Explore the coral and marine animals with a glass-bottom boat tour. For a more immersive experience, dive on in with a snorkel mask or paddle along in your own glass-bottom kayak. Fitzroy Island Queensland is a food-lover’s paradise, with two fantastic restaurants to choose from. 

No visit to Fitzroy Island is complete without a day of beach-hopping. Make sure to visit Nudey Beach Fitzroy Island, which has been ranked as one of Australia’s best beaches. Fitzroy Island offers the very best in beach holidays for you and your family.

Stay on the Island or nearby in mainland accommodation and take a day trip across.

 

Great Keppel Island

Great Keppel Island is a site of real natural beauty with 17 different beaches to explore, making it one of the best island holidays for beach lovers. Hike from beach to beach for a full day of exploring the island at this picturesque Queensland travel destination.

Great Keppel Island is a fantastic place to see wildlife. Humpback whales migrate through the bay between April and November, and all sorts of exotic animals roam the island. You can hike all over the island, but one of the most striking trails is the walk up Mount Wyndham. You can look out over the entire island from the highest point.

Great Keppel Island is also a great place to try out boom netting. You hold onto a net and get towed through the water behind the boat for an exhilarating aquatic experience. You can also go jetskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and try out all sorts of other aquatic sports.

Great Keppel Island offers a range of accommodation choices including resort style accommodation.

 

Stradbroke Island 

Stradbroke Island Is a picturesque island that’s perfect for anyone looking for laid-back island holidays. The relaxed island is affectionately known as ‘Straddie’ by the locals. Enjoy stunning beach views and enjoy swimming, snorkeling and boating all day long. The laid-back atmosphere and beautiful natural environment make this one of the best QLD getaways for couples, families and single travellers. Stradbroke Island has some amazing wildlife that you won’t want to miss. Make sure to look out for migrating humpback whales if you’re there between May and November. Kangaroos, kookaburras and koalas freely roam the island — keep an eye out for them!

There are some fantastic properties available on Stradbroke Island, as well as a range of hotels and camping options adding to your brilliant Island holiday.

 

Magnetic Island

Just a short boat trip from the coast of Townsville, Magnetic Island is a residential island as well as a very popular Queensland holiday destination. ‘Maggie Island’ as it is known to by the locals, boasts natural beauty, pristine waters, remarkable coastline views and a fabulous community spirit. If you are looking for snorkeling adventures, hiking trails, Australian wildlife (koalas), palm trees and plenty of sunshine, Magnetic Island is a great choice for a Queensland island holiday.

There are several fantastic accommodation options on Magnetic Island. Great hotels which boast ocean views and to suit a range of budgets. Magnetic Island properties offer some really relaxed and peaceful accommodation options too. The Bungalow Bay Koala Village makes a great camping option.

 

Brampton Island

Brampton Island boasts 12 beautiful beaches, clear blue water and picturesque walking trails. The beautiful island is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and is home to some truly amazing coral reefs. The Island is currently only available for day use. The private resort grounds are currently vacant, but there are plans to build a luxury resort in the future. There are no commercial businesses on the island, so make sure to bring your own food, water and first aid kit if you come to visit.

 

Dunk Island

Dunk Island is home to pristine beaches, tropical forest trails and stunning natural scenery. The island is home to many different species of rare birds, mammals and fish. The Island’s resort is currently being redeveloped, and in the meantime camping is the only accommodation option available. While camping may not be one of the Queensland holiday packages you had in mind, it’s a unique way to connect with the environment and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

Dunk Island, Queensland is the perfect place to enjoy remote tropical camping in a picturesque natural environment.

 

Lindeman Island

Explore colourful coral reefs and beautiful marine life at this breathtaking tropical island. Bushwalk along trails that wind all throughout the island, and climb up Mount Oldfield for a view of the entire Island. Any nature lover will appreciate the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Lindeman Island sits on the migration path for humpback whales, and is home to over 90 species of birds. 

A luxury resort is currently being developed, but camping is available near the north-west point of the Island. Sleep out under the stars, and you’ll see why this island is one of the best tropical Queensland getaways out there.

 

South Molle Island

South Molle Island Offers lush rainforest, beautiful reefs and secluded beaches. The largest island in the Molle Island Group, this is not one to miss. Enjoy swimming, bird watching and hiking on this breathtaking island. At low tide, you can walk along to Mid Molle Island and back again.

The Island’s resort is currently being rebuilt after it was destroyed during Cyclone Debbie in 2017. However, there are camping grounds available on the south side of the island, so that you can sleep out in the clear rainforest air.