Beyond Honolulu

Which Hawaiian island is right for you?

Oahu Best for families

It might be only the third-biggest isle in the Hawaiian archipelago but, as home of the capital and main international airport, Oahu is arguably the most important. It accounts for 70 per cent of the state’s population and many of its best attractions. Families will find Oahu (specifically Waikiki Beach) the easiest fly-and-flop option, with plenty of drivable daytrips. There’s the historic Pearl Harbor (visitpearlharbor.org), the surfing Shangri-la that is the North Shore and the famous Kualoa Ranch (kualoa.com), where movies such as Jurassic Park and Kong: Skull Island were filmed. Book in advance for a self-drive ATV tour of the surviving sets.

Maui Best for luxury

Hawaii’s second-largest island is known for its laid-back luxury vibe, making it extremely popular with honeymooners. Unlike Oahu, the accommodation on Maui is spread out evenly around the island, with plenty of top-end hotels to choose from, including the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (hotel.qantas.com.au/fourseasonsatwailea), Montage

Kapalua Bay (hotel.qantas.com.au/montagekapaluabay) and Travaasa Hana (hotel.qantas.com.au/travaasahana). Wherever you stay, don’t miss the chance to welcome dawn from the summit of the Haleakala volcano – one of the most beautiful sunrises you’ll see.

Kauai Best for nature

Nicknamed “the Garden Island”, Kauai is widely considered to be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian chain. Topographically it’s tiny but it still manages to pack in plenty of lush rainforest, statuesque peaks and spectacular waterfalls. Famed for its double rainbows and amazing coastline, Kauai is also home to the golden Secret Beach, which is hard to find (from the road, you have to hike down a steep unmarked path) but worth every ounce of effort. Fortunately, it’s also within easy striking distance of the best hotel on the island, the Princeville

Resort (hotel.qantas.com.au/ princevilleresort).

Molokai

Best for a digital detox

Miniature Molokai makes Kauai look like a metropolis. If you’re keen to unplug and drop completely off the grid, this is the place to do it (after an easy 35-minute puddle-jumper flight from Honolulu). There are no major resorts on the island; bed and breakfasts and rustic rental cottages around the village of Kaunakakai are your best bet. Mobile phone reception and wi-fi are rare so take the time to reset yourself, drinking in the unspoilt vistas of the sacred Halawa Valley and Palaau State Park, as well as Molokai’s pristine beaches, huddled beneath towering sea cliffs.

Hawaii

Best for adventure

Hawaii lent its name to the entire archipelago but the “Big Island” is somewhat overshadowed by neighbouring Oahu and Maui today. Despite this, the island’s rugged nature makes it a dream destination for mountain bikers and hikers. Explore the steaming craters and cinder cones of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or check out the lush rainforest trails of Waipio Valley via some of the best-preserved pre-contact temples in Polynesia. As for accommodation, it’s hard to beat

Volcano House (hawaiivolcano house.com) – a restored historic lodge next to the rim of Kilauea crater, inside the national park.