Beyond Australia‘s mainland lie almost 10,000 more islands, including the reef-fringed shores of the Whitsundays and the wild coastlines of the Southern Ocean. From Hayman Island’s laidback luxury to the secluded white sandy beaches of Louth Island, read on for our list of Australia’s best island escapes.
Green Island, Queensland
Green Island is a pocket-sized tropical escape floating on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, just a short boat ride from Cairns yet worlds away from the mainland. Fringed by soft white sand and luminous turquoise water, the island pairs easy reef access with a surprisingly lush rainforest core, where shaded boardwalks wind beneath ancient trees and vines. Snorkel straight from the beach to find coral gardens alive with reef fish and sea turtles, or slow the pace with a swim, a forest stroll or a long lunch overlooking the water. Reachable in minutes from Cairns, Green Island packs a reef-meets-rainforest experience into a single, sun-soaked day.
Hayman Island, Queensland
Hayman Island offers direct access to the Great Barrier Reef, with snorkelling, diving and private boat charters to dozens of Whitsunday islands all on the doorstep. Whitehaven Beach, crowned #1 Best Beach in the World 2025 by Lonely Planet, is an hour away via ferry. At the five-star InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, dip into the southern hemisphere’s largest swimming pool, unwind at Hayman Spa or savour seafood feasts at oceanfront restaurant Pacific and Asian-Australian fusion at poolside diner Bam Bam.
Magnetic Island, Queensland
Magnetic Island – ‘Maggie’ as it’s affectionately known to locals – is a tropical retreat just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville. Sitting in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the island offers some of Australia’s best snorkelling and scuba diving, with easy access to shipwrecks and the Museum of Underwater Art, the world’s largest underwater art structure. Book a local tour and explore the underwater worlds of Geoffrey Bay, Florence Bay, Arthur Bay and Alma Bay, where marine life thrives.
Above sea, more than two-thirds of the island is a protected national park and home to one of the country’s largest wild koala populations. Hike to the Forts Walk for sweeping views of the Coral Sea, find hidden bays like Radical Bay or embrace the island’s quirky charm by cruising around in one of its famous topless Barbie cars.
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), Western Australia
Just a short ferry ride or scenic flight from Perth, this car-free island escape is best explored by bicycle, allowing visitors to pedal through bushland to hidden beach nooks and lookouts like Vlamingh Lookout, which offers 360-degree views. The best way to truly experience the island is with a stay at Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island, an eco-friendly beachfront glamping resort behind the dunes of Pinky Beach.
By day, spot the island’s resident quokkas – dubbed the world’s happiest animal – soak in the sun at secluded beaches, snorkel at The Basin and Little Salmon Bay and take in the laidback coastal charm. By night, return to your luxe safari-style accommodation and sleep (almost) under the stars.
Louth Island, South Australia
Set in the Spencer Gulf, this rugged private island is home to just one eco-conscious retreat. Rumi on Louth – South Australia’s first-ever private, eco-luxury resort – blends the wild beauty of the Eyre Peninsula with the comforts of an ultra-luxe stay, with beachfront villas, gourmet local produce and uninterrupted sunset views. Guests can dine at Samphire, the island’s signature restaurant, awarded three Chef’s Hats in the Australian Good Food Guide 2026. Beyond the table, Louth Island offers near-exclusive access to Carl Cove – one of South Australia’s most striking beaches thanks to its dramatic backdrop of porcelain white sand bookended by rusty red cliffs.
Bruny Island, Tasmania
Just past Tasmania’s southeastern coast lies Bruny Island, a rugged stretch of pastures and coastline known for its gourmet cheese and oysters. Sandwiched between D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Tasman Sea, the island is a short ferry ride from the sleepy coastal town of Kettering. For a base before or after your island adventure, The Cove Kettering offers a waterfront retreat with marina views and gourmet breakfasts, a fitting start to Bruny’s wild beauty.
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island – often called Australia’s answer to the Galapagos – is a magnet for wildlife and wilderness lovers. Just 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide, the island is known for its untamed coastline, sprawling national parks and beaches that shelter native species, from sea lions basking on the sands of Seal Bay to echidnas foraging through Flinders Chase National Park.
Rebuilt after the 2020 bushfires and reopened in 2023, Southern Ocean Lodge offers panoramic ocean views, conservation-focused experiences and a menu celebrating Kangaroo Island’s finest seasonal ingredients.
Phillip Island, Victoria
Best known for its nightly Penguin Parade, Phillip Island is a family favourite just two hours south of Melbourne. Meet koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre, cruise alongside seals on a Wildlife Coast Cruise or join the crowds to watch hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore at sunset, returning to their burrows after a day at sea. Beyond its wildlife, the island offers some of Australia’s best surf at Cape Woolamai, adrenaline-fuelled motorsports at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and coastal trails with views across the Bass Strait.
Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory
Just north of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands feel a world away. Known as the ‘Island of Smiles,’ this remote destination – comprised of two main islands (Bathurst and Melville) – is best known for off-the-beaten-path experiences. Join a guided tour led by the Tiwi People – renowned for their rich cultural traditions, storytelling and welcoming spirit – to visit local art centres to see intricate carvings and paintings, learn about traditional bush medicine or witness an exhilarating game of AFL during the Tiwi Islands Football League season.
Tiwi Island Retreat (seasonal; closed December through March) offers an off-the-grid stay combining adventure with quiet, with cultural experiences, excellent fishing spots and total seclusion beyond Australia’s mainland.
K’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
K’gari, the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage site, sits just over five hours north of the Sunshine Coast. Explore rugged 4WD tracks, spot humpback whales (August–October), swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie or float down Eli Creek’s gentle currents. Stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort, where six bush-inspired restaurants and bars and four lagoon-style pools make it easy to settle in. Surrounded by shoreline and bushland, this eco-resort makes a fitting base for exploring the island.
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Feature image: Whitehaven Beach, Queensland.
