10 Best Islands in Australia
What are the Most Beautiful Islands to Visit in Australia?
The best islands in Australia provide a host of unique experiences to a visitor, from whale watching to windsurfing, all in gorgeous settings that will take your breath away.
Whether you’re a thrill seeker drawn to the crystal-clear local waters or an adventurer looking to experience rugged terrain and the region’s unique natural beauty, you’re sure to find a destination to suit your taste. For shorter excursions, many of the popular holiday islands are located within a quick ferry ride from a major city, so visiting these unique spots could hardly be easier.
1. Hamilton Island
A unique slice of paradise at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef
Ideal para: Famílias, Luxo, Aventura
Hamilton Island is one of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, a popular holiday destination near the Great Barrier Reef. It’s mostly car-free, heavily forested and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs.
The island has several accommodation options, from family bungalows to exclusive, adults-only resorts. There are many restaurants available, and a selection of other amenities to make Hamilton Island the perfect launch pad for excursions to the Whitsunday Islands or the Barrier Reef. From water sports to snorkelling and from golf to fine dining, adventures and experiences of every sort are all within easy reach.
Hamilton Island
2. Rottnest Island
Nature reserve and holiday destination a quick hop away from Perth
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Rottnest Island, a short ferry trip away from Perth, is perhaps the most famous for its population of quokkas. This small rodent-like marsupial inhabits the island’s nature reserve in great numbers.
In addition to the quokkas, Rottnest is also home to several bird species and many snorkelling and diving locations. The island is an extremely popular destination during the summer months, and accommodations can be in high demand. As the island is mostly without motor vehicles, by far the most common mode of transportation is cycling, and there are a few cycle paths around it. The difficult waters around Rottnest, on the other hand, hold many shipwrecks, visited by boaters and divers alike.
Rottnest Island
3. Kangaroo Island
Dramatic coastlines and unspoiled nature leave a lasting impression
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto, Famílias
Kangaroo Island, located southwest of Adelaide, is one of South Australia’s most frequented attractions and famous for its caves, sand dunes and other natural wonders.
Among the island’s top charms are the Flinders Chase National Park with its staggering rock formations, the crisp white sands of Emu Bay and the Little Sahara Desert. In addition to these breathtaking sights, Kangaroo Island also offers wineries, farms, and a wildlife park. The island is world famous for being a sanctuary for the rare Ligurian bees, a variety that’s all but extinct everywhere else in the world.
Kangaroo Island
4. K’gari
Where adventure awaits
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto, Viagens alternativas
One of Queensland’s most popular eco-tourist destinations, the island of K’gari is easily accessible by ferry from the mainland and is ideal for both day trips and longer adventures. It’s the world’s largest sand island and offers both camping and resort-style accommodations.
Formerly the centre of a bustling logging industry, K’gari is now a hiker’s paradise, with breathtaking vistas, unspoiled beaches and secluded lakes and creeks waiting to be discovered by the brave. Countless animal species call the island home, the most noteworthy among them being a large population of purebred dingoes.
K’gari
5. Phillip Island
Home of the Penguin Parade
Ideal para: Aventura, Famílias, Viagens alternativas
Phillip Island, in the state of Victoria, is renowned the world over for its population of tens of thousands of penguins. Their nightly return to their nests from the sea each day has been dubbed the ’Penguin Parade’.
Besides being a natural wonder, Phillip Island also has its place in Australian sports history. Its shores provide an excellent location for surfing, and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit has been an international motorsports venue since the 1950s. So, whether you’re drawn to the majestic waves or the thrill of speed, look no further.
Phillip Island
6. Lord Howe Island
Remote sanctuary for some of the rarest species in Australia
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Lord Howe Island, located in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, is an unspoiled nature preserve that contains many species found nowhere else.
The number of visitors to the island is limited to just 400 at any one time, to protect its unique and fragile ecosystem. Despite this limitation, there’s still a wide variety of accommodations from modest guest houses and cottages to luxury lodges. Visitors are presented with many potential activities, from birdwatching to diving, windsurfing, and even golf on the island’s 9-hole course.
Lord Howe Island
7. Lizard Island
White sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs
Ideal para: Luxo, Casais
Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, hosts spectacular coral reefs and an exclusive luxury resort. The island was originally named by historic explorer Captain Cook for its prolific population of lizards, and many reptile species still call it home today. Some 20 species of birds also nest on the island, as well as fruit bats.
The corals on the reefs surrounding Lizard Island are spectacular, and a local research station has been established for their study. The island’s resort provides a host of dining options and other amenities, allowing you to enjoy your surroundings in absolute comfort.
Lizard Island
8. Green Island
Stunning natural beauty both above and below the surface
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Green Island, located off the coast of Queensland a short ferry trip away from Cairns, makes for an ideal destination for both day trips and longer getaways.
The island’s convenient location, only 27 kilometres from Cairns, and its ease of accessibility, make it an excellent holiday spot for families in particular. Snorkelling and kayaking are the recommended ways to enjoy Green Island’s magnificent reefs, and beach activities and nature trails are available for those who prefer to stay on dry land.
Green Island
9. Moreton Island
Unique hiking trails with wildlife watching
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
The beautiful Moreton Island in southern Queensland is a national park famous for its glorious sand dunes and breathtaking beaches.
Most of the island falls under protection as a national park, so it provides fantastic surroundings for hiking in particular. The island has many different trails and sights, catering to hikers of all ability levels. Of particular note is the rugged coastline at Cape Moreton in the island’s northern end near its lighthouse, which lends itself well to whale watching.
Moreton Island
10. Whitsunday Island
White sands as far as the eye can see
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto, Casais
Whitsunday Island is the largest of the Whitsundays, and beloved for the white coral sands and turquoise waters of Whitehaven Beach.
The Whitsundays are an area of unparalleled natural beauty, and their proximity to the mainland makes them easily accessible to visitors. In addition to Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island has several other marvellous beaches, hiking trails and campgrounds. The climb to the island’s summit at Whitsunday Peak is a test of strength and endurance, but achievers are rewarded with spectacular views unlike anywhere else.
Whitsunday Island
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