Because nothing beats an island holiday.
As the land gurt by sea, it’s no surprise that Australia is home to over 8000 islands, most of them boasting luxe lodgings, cute cafes and an abundance of Aussie wildlife. But with so many islands to choose from, picking where to start your next adventure can feel like an almost impossible task.
Don’t worry though, we’ve hit the ground running to do the research for you. From WA’s quokka-filled Rottnest Island and Magnetic Island in Queensland to Tassie‘s generous sprinkling of rugged islets and SA getaways like Kangaroo Island, these are the ones worthy of your bucket list.
1. Picnic Island, Tasmania
Picnic Island sits in Tasmania’s magnificent Coles Bay.
Accessible only by boat, Picnic Island sits in Coles Bay within Tassie’s ruggedly beautiful Freycinet National Park. Owner Clem Newton-Brown originally used the island for rugged camping trips with his family, but it now boasts two weathered, copper-clad structures.
The buildings are connected by a boardwalk: one contains five bedrooms, sleeping up to 10 people, while the other features a kitchen, dining and living space complete with a suspended fireplace and views over the bay. Dolphins can be spotted passing by, and a walk around the island after dark reveals scores of fairy penguins returning to their burrows for the night. Guests can also enjoy fishing, swimming and foraging for mussels at low tide.
2. Kangaroo Island, SA
Wildlife is at its best on Kangaroo Island. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Take a short break (and make a big difference) on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Come summer, Hamilton Dune is the place to be. A duo of private-hire lodges overlooking picturesque Emu Bay, guests can choose between architecturally designed Dune House or the larger Hamilton House. Or book into the recently refurbished Southern Ocean Lodge for a taste of true luxury.
Guests can take a guided tour down to the beach, stroll along the boardwalk to spot wildlife and sample local produce at Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Dreaming of a dive with dolphins? Look no further than Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, where you can expect to swim with anywhere between 20 to 50 wild dolphins at a time. For lovers of gin, Kangaroo Island Distillery is also a must.
3. K’gari, Qld
Escape to the west coast of K’gari. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Kyle Hunter)
Some 400,000 visitors arrive on Queensland’s K’gari each year and Wayne, an easygoing larrikin who doubles as driver and guide with K’gari Explorer Tours, estimates that 399,000 of those stop at Lake McKenzie. It would be easy to spend the whole day there, but the island offers so much more. Think wild swimming, whale watching, 4WD tours, shipwreck snorkelling, guided walks and more.
When it comes to accommodation, many visitors look no further than the luxurious Kingfisher Bay Resort. The stunning eco-driven resort is the perfect place to stay and play, with a day spa, guided activities and multiple restaurants. Or learn about the island’s Indigenous heritage on the Bush Tucker Talk & Taste tour. K’Gari Beach Resort on the island’s east coast is also a great budget-friendly option.
4. King Island, Tas
Enjoy sweeping views across the Bass Strait from every room at Kittawa Lodge.
King Island lies off the rugged and beautiful coastline of Tasmania’s north-west. Home to some of the cleanest air in the world, its no wonder one of the most unique stays in Australia has set up shop on the island. Dreamt up to be a place where busy people can unwind and breathe deeply, Kittawa Lodge is made up of two luxury cabins that sit snug in the sand dunes on the property’s 750 metres of coastline.
With sweeping views across the Bass Strait from every room, both lodges are designed to maximise guests’ connection to the outdoors. Inside, luxurious bamboo linens, a handmade concrete bath and original paintings by local artists deepen this sense of place. No Tassie experience would be complete without lashings of local produce either, and King Island does it particularly well.
5. Rottnest Island, WA
Rottnest Island is a water lover’s paradise. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Jump on a ferry from Fremantle or Perth to explore this pristine island playground – while treading very lightly. Rottnest Island has long been Western Australia’s holiday destination of choice thanks to its timeless, slow-paced and laid-back charm. It is also recognised as one of Australia’s best-managed ecotourism environments – the island and all its plants and critters (including the quokkas) are protected by law.
With a no-car policy, Rottnest is an ideal place to explore by bike. There are 45 kilometres of walking trails, too, which take in the island’s many beautiful beaches. Alternatively, take a Segway tour to hard-to-reach corners of the island. Stay overnight at Samphire Rottnest to soak up the serenity after the daytime crowds have gone home.
6. Flinders Island, Tas
The ocean beckons for guests at the Crayshack on Flinders Island. (Image: Liam Neal)
Flinders Island is the largest in the Furneaux Group, all at sea in the Bass Strait. Renowned for its pristine (if not a little wild) waters that harbour some of Australia’s best seafood, it’s long been a chef’s secret pantry. Among Flinders’ residents are farmers, growers and producers who are passionate about local ingredients. The Flinders Wharf celebrates this abundance by hosting seasonal crayfish experiences.
Providing another reason to visit – and stay awhile, The Flinders Wharf also manages three chic and cosy farm stays on the Quoin Farm. Dwarf Cottage is a gorgeous studio space perfect for couples; the Crayshack sits right on Killiecrankie Beach with views across the bay; and the three-bedroom Wombat Lodge is complete with a tub overlooking the mountains.
7. Abrolhos Islands, WA
Emerald waters surround the Abrolhos Islands from above.
Sitting 70 kilometres off WA lies an island smaller than a footy oval. Basile Island is just one stop on Eco Abrolhos’ five-day exploratory cruise of the Abrolhos Islands, and its 32-person catamaran is the only tourism vessel permitted to stop here. Few people even know this remote archipelago of 122 islands exists, making it the perfect island getaway for those seeking a bit of peace and quiet.
Snorkel over coral gardens in glass-blue water. Dive in the historic Batavia shipwreck. Go crayfishing or catch lobsters. Spot native Tammar wallabies. Learn about the local industry on a pearl farm tour. After your unforgettable cruise, head back to the mainland to visit the Museum of Geraldton, where you can learn more about the Batavia and other shipwrecks along the coast.
8. Christmas Island
Christmas Island is a secluded gem in the Indian Ocean. (Image: Christmas Island Tourism Association)
Located in the Indian Ocean 2600 kilometres north-west of Perth, Christmas Island is unlike anywhere you’ve ever visited before. It’s a true island paradise of tropical jungle, fringed by turquoise waters that offer more than the headlines would lead you to believe. Come for the crabs made famous by Sir David Attenborough, and stay for (or rather, at) luxury eco retreat Swell Lodge. Fill your days with secret swimming spots, snorkelling and an intriguing melting pot of cultures.
9. Cocos Keeling Islands
Boat tours explore outer islands and reefs. (Image: Cocos Keeling Tourism/Rachel Claire)
Like Christmas Island, the Cocos Keeling Islands are another external Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. About halfway between Perth and Sri Lanka, this tranquil and unspoilt atoll is home to a rich culture and heritage. A visit to this little slice of paradise is a must for island lovers, home to 27 coral islands. Only two – West Island and Home Island – are inhabited. There are no shopping centres, restaurant chains or crowded beaches, making it the perfect place to recharge.
10. Tiwi Islands, NT
The Tiwi Islands is a far-flung northern sanctuary where art flourishes. (Image: Tourism NT)
Travel across the water from Darwin to soak in the rainbow of landscapes and culture that is the Tiwi Islands. Its tropical rainforests, clay-like cliffs and white-sand beaches are matched in colour by the island’s artists, who you can meet on guided art tours. The Tiwi’s strong cultural pulse can be felt across its two main islands, Bathurst and Melville, with nine more uninhabited islands making up 8,320 square kilometres in the Timor Sea.
11. Norfolk Island
The locals in Norfolk are extremely welcoming. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism)
Resting between New Zealand and New Caledonia, Norfolk Island is – geographically speaking – closer to Auckland than Sydney, yet it is officially part of NSW. Its sub-tropical landscape of rolling plains and pine forests gives way to sparkling bays and world-class dive sites. Harnessing the abundance of homegrown produce, from fresh fish to honey and cheese, the island excels in the paddock-to-plate philosophy.
12. Lord Howe Island, NSW
Order a picnic from Love Lord Howe and sit back to enjoy the stunning views. (Image: Destination NSW)
Like its ‘neighbour’ Norfolk, Lord Howe Island is World Heritage listed. The remnant of a volcano that was active two million years ago, the tiny island in the Tasman Sea, is characterised by sandy beaches, subtropical forests and clear waters, all surveyed by the impressive Mt Gower, rated one of Australia’s best day walks. Don’t miss the I-never-want-to-leave luxury of Capella Lodge, which also has one of Australia’s best infinity pools!
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