For bushwalking, snorkelling, wildlife or just pain old relaxing, here are some of Queensland’s best island escapes.
The Sunshine State is home to literally hundreds of islands beckoning to be explored.
From tropical islands surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, to sand islands that are a hop, skip and a jump away form a CBD, there’s certainly no shortage of island getaways in Queensland.
Here are five of the best Queensland islands for a weekend escape. Because, sometimes, being on an island just feels so much more like a holiday than being at a mainland beach destination.
Magnetic Island
Where is it? North Queensland, off the coast of Townsville.
What to do: Forts Walking Track, visit Alma and Florence Bays, visit the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay.
How to get there: Take a 20-minute ferry from Townsville, which leave approximately every hour.
Magnetic Island is less than 10 kilometres from end to end and super easy to access for those living in northern Queensland or via a flight to Townsville. So easy that many will study or work on the mainland, while living on the island.
Here, adorably small rock wallabies and plush, sleepy koalas are easily spotted. The island is home to more than a dozen beaches and snorkellers and divers will love the colourful coral and tropical fish that swim just offshore.
✅ We’ve been here!
North Stradbroke Island
Where is it? Southern Queensland, off the coast of Brisbane.
What to do: Stroll along the Gorge Walk, swim at Cylinder Beach, visit Straddie Brewing Co
How to get there: Take a 30-minute ferry from Cleveland, a suburb of Brisbane, which leave approximately every hour.
Although it’s often missed by tourists visiting Queensland, North Stradbroke Island feels like it is thousands of kilometres away from urban life. But, in reality, it can be visited as a day trip from Brisbane.
The laid-back island is home to quiet beaches, plenty of camp sites and an abundance of wildlife, including manta rays during the summer months.
✅ We’ve been here!
Hamilton Island
Where is it? Whitsunday Islands
What to do: Unwind at the beach, take a day tour to the Great Barrier Reef or Whitehaven Beach.
How to get there: Fly into Great Barrier Reef Airport, which is on the island, or take a ferry across from Airlie Beach on the mainland.
The most popular of the Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island offers something for everyone and finds itself on many of the best Queensland islands lists. It’s got an array of accommodations, ranging from the budget(ish) Reef View to the über-luxurious qualia. The island itself offers beaches, bushwalking tracks, restaurants and is the launching point for many excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and iconic Whitehaven Beach.
🔜 We haven’t been here yet!
Moreton Island
Where is it? Southern Queensland, off the coast of Brisbane.
What to do: See the Tangalooma Wrecks, explore the sand dunes, join a dolphin feeding.
How to get there: Take the 75-minute ferry ride from Holt Street Wharf, not far from the Brisbane CBD. Ferries depart just four times per day.
Neighbouring North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island is also found in Moreton Bay just off the coast of Brisbane. The island is famous for the Tangalooma Wrecks – a group of 15 ships that were sunk by the government and are now a snorkellers and divers paradise.
Aside from the wrecks which have given the island’s main hotel — Tangalooma Island Resort — its name, there’s plenty to do. The island is also home to beautiful beaches, sand dunes beckoning to be explored by ATV and, during the right time of year, humpback whales.
🔜 We haven’t been here yet!
Lady Elliot Island
Where is it? Off the coast between Gladstone and Bundaberg.
What to do: Get in the water and snorkel, dive and swim.
How to get there: Lady Elliot Island offers a few flights per day from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. But, getting to the island (and staying on it), isn’t cheap, but is a bucket list-worthy experience.
Sustainable luxury is what’s on offer on this tiny island. Accessible only by plane from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Brisbane or Gold Coast, the island features glamping tents, eco cabins and beachfront units which include breakfast and dinner in the price. Just about everything on offer here, from diving to glass-bottom boat trips, is water based.
🔜 We haven’t been here yet!
