Advance to Australia fair
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! With the imminent reopening of the trans-Tasman border with our Antipodean cousins, Kiwis are itching to fly again. Ben Groundwater looks at the best Australian islands for different travellers.
There’s something about an island that immediately puts you in holiday mode. It’s the feeling of isolation, of being far from worries or cares. It’s the idea of being in your own little world, a self-contained paradise where there’s nothing to do except – well, whatever it is you want to do.
An island getaway can be so many things to so many people. It can be the platonic ideal of tropical paradise, with swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches and resorts with infinity pools. But it can also be an adventure-lover’s dream, it can be a place to spot wildlife, somewhere filled with culture and characters, and it can provide access to an underwater wonderland.
Australia is blessed with many islands. It doesn’t matter what you’re into or what you love doing on holiday, in Australia, there’s an island for everyone.
The eco-warrior Heron Island, Queensland
Why you’ll love it: Heron Island, at the southern end of Great Barrier Reef, has so much going for it, not least its green credentials. Heron Island Resort has been awarded an Advanced Eco-Certification by Ecotourism Australia. It runs its own power generator, produces its own potable water, treats its wastewater, and provides those services to the Heron Island Research Station and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Ranger Station.
Don’t miss: Though the underwater attractions are incredible, this is also an important turtle nesting site, and if you’re there from November to March, you will be able to witness green and loggerhead turtles laying and hatching.
Essentials: Heron Island is accessible via ferry or helicopter from Gladstone in Central Queensland. Rooms from A$358 (NZ$388) a night. See heronisland.com.
The culture seeker Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory
Why you’ll love it: If you’d like to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture while living the island dream, then Bathurst and Melville islands, collectively known as the Tiwis, are for you. The culture there is unique and, with 90 per cent of the islands’ inhabitants claiming Indigenous heritage, it’s deeply immersive. Learn a few words of the local language and you’ll fit right in.
Don’t miss: Tiwi culture is probably best experienced through its artistic community, which has achieved recognition well beyond its modest size. The Tiwi Art Network is an alliance between the islands’ three art centres – Munupi Arts and Crafts, Tiwi Design and Jilamara Arts and Crafts – and is the perfect place to learn and buy.
Essentials: The Tiwi Islands are a 21⁄2-hour ferry ride from Darwin, and entry is by permit only, usually secured through an organised tour. See aatkings.com.
The digital detoxer Wessel Islands, Northern Territory
Why you’ll love it: Your phone will be good for many things on the Wessel Islands, off the coast of Arnhem Land. It will make a handy camera to capture the sights of this remote and untouched part of Australia, the rivers, the estuaries, the beaches, the hikes, the kayaking adventures, and the fishing trips. It will make a good torch on the darkest nights. The only thing it won’t be good for is as a phone. You’re off the grid in the Wessels.
Don’t miss: This is a great place to learn from the local Yan-nhagnu people, the original owners of the Wessels, and its sole inhabitants now. Many tours include indigenous experiences.
Essentials: The Wessel Islands are only accessible on a private cruise, which usually departs from the town of Gove. Crooked Compass has an eight-day itinerary of East Arnhem Land and the Wessels, from A$13,795 (NZ$14,977) a person. See crooked-compass.com.
The fly-and-flopper Hamilton Island, Queensland
Why you’ll love it: The Whitsunday island, affectionately known as Hammo, is ideal for those who want to arrive by plane, drop their bags and find themselves on a sun-lounger, cocktail in hand, within minutes. There’s a huge range of accommodation options, from classic hotel rooms to family-friendly holiday houses, beachside bungalows, and the luxurious Qualia resort.
Don’t miss: If you really did just want to flop, then do that. If, however, you have the itch for an activity, you could choose a cruise of the Whitsundays, a visit to Whitehaven Beach, a snorkel on the reef, or even a scenic helicopter flight.
Essentials: There are direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns. Rooms at Reef View Hotel are from A$351 (NZ$381) a night, and Qualia from A$1300 (NZ$1411)) a night. See hamiltonisland.com.au.
The wildlife lover Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Why you’ll love it: Though it was hit hard by the bushfires of late 2019, Kangaroo Island is very much open for business, with green shoots appearing on scorched earth (and about half the island untouched). For wildlife spotters, this remains one of Australia’s best destinations.
Spend time in any of the island’s 24 protected areas and you’re likely to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goannas, wedge-tailed eagles and many more.
Don’t miss: Take a break from the Aussie icons for a few hours and stroll the boardwalk at Seal Bay, which is actually home to a huge sea lion population, the world’s third-largest colony. Walks on the beach are available with a guide.
Essentials: Kangaroo Island is accessible via car ferry from Cape Jervis in South Australia; Rex also has daily flights from Adelaide.
Accommodation ranges from campgrounds and bed and breakfasts, to resorts and luxury hotels. See tourkangarooisland.com.au.
The thrill-seeker Fraser Island, Queensland
Why you’ll love it: The world’s largest sand island is a playground for adventure lovers, who can drive the long beaches in four-wheel-drives, swim in freshwater lakes, float in rivers, explore rainforests, go whale-watching or dingo-spotting, camp out in the forest, fish off the beach, check out the Maheno shipwreck, climb up Indian Head, or take a scenic flight over the top.
There’s never a dull moment.
Don’t miss: Fraser, or K’gari, is criss-crossed with walking tracks that traverse beaches and forest; the pinnacle of the island’s hikes, however, is the 90-kilometre Fraser Island Great Walk, a
week-long wander with campsites to stay in along the way.
Essentials: Fraser Island is accessible by ferry from Hervey Bay. Accommodation ranges from campsites to backpacker hostels to villas and beach houses at Kingfisher Bay Resort.
See visitfrasercoast.com.
The underwater explorer Lady Elliot Island, Queensland
Why you’ll love it: Scuba-divers, free-divers and snorkellers – welcome to heaven. Lady Elliot Island, on the surface, is really something. It’s a laid-back resort set on a gorgeous coral cay in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Below the surface, however, it is truly incredible: manta rays the size of light aircraft glide by; serene turtles flap past; leopard sharks fix you with beady eyes; clown fish dart out of anemones. The water is clear, the coral is colourful, and the marine life is astounding.
Don’t miss: Snorkellers can have a great time here straight from the beach with no boat necessary. Experienced divers will want to check out the Blowhole, an L-shaped cave with an opening at 14 metres deep, and an exit at 22m. One of Australia’s great dives.
Essentials: Lady Elliot is accessible via light plane from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. A range of accommodation is available, with prices from A$199 (NZ$216) a night, twin share. See ladyelliot.com.au.
The lux traveller Lizard Island, Queensland
Why you’ll love it: If you enjoy true luxury, a sense of seclusion, an experience of boundless beauty, the kiss of the sun, and the taste of salt complemented by indulgent accommodation, world-class cuisine and high-quality service, then you’re going to like Lizard Island.
Of course, you will have to pay handsomely for these things, but as you sit there on your private island on Great Barrier Reef, enjoying the day spa, lying by the pool, drinking fine wine and eating delicious food, you’ll see it was worth it.
Don’t miss: Get active during the day, relax at night. Go fishing, diving, hiking, or take a private boat trip, then enjoy a seven-course degustation dinner in a private pavilion while watching the sunset.
Essentials: Lizard Island is accessible by air from Cairns. The resort only has 40 rooms, from A$2029 (NZ$2202) a night (Gardenview Rooms) up to A$6299 (NZ$6837) a night (The Villa).
See lizardisland.com.au.
More Australian islands to visit Rottnest Island, Western Australia
It’s all about the quokkas. You might enjoy other experiences on Rottnest Island, such as the swimming, cycling, surfing, fishing, indigenous culture, and excellent accommodation options, but what you’re also here for is a selfie with a quokka. See rottnestisland.com.
Cockatoo Island, New South Wales
This Unesco World Heritage Site, in the middle of Sydney Harbour, has plenty to offer those who take the short ferry ride to it, including guided tours through historic convict and maritime sites, ghost tours, and drinks and food. You can also camp overnight with harbour views. See cockatooisland.gov.au.
Magnetic Island, Queensland
Here’s a classic Australian holiday destination experiencing a modernday revival, with travellers flocking once again to hang out with koalas, lie on palm-fringed beaches, hike scenic trails, go snorkelling on Great Barrier Reef and more. See townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Paradise is a difficult term to define. However, few could argue that Lord Howe Island fits the bill. This place is stunning, a visual feast of landscape and wildlife, a place to go bird-watching, scubadiving, scenic cruising, hiking, or just lying on a white-sand beach. See lordhoweisland.info.
North Stradbroke Island, Queensland
The island east of Brisbane known as Minjerribah to its original inhabitants, and Straddie to many of its modern-day visitors, is an adventure lover’s playground. There’s great surfing, hiking, fishing, kayaking, whale-watching, and high-quality campgrounds at which to pitch a tent to enjoy nature. See visitbrisbane.com.au.
The southern specialist Bruny Island, Tasmania
Why you’ll love it: Islands don’t have to be all swaying palm trees and bright, sunshiney days. If you fancy the idea of beaches that are windswept and interesting, towering sea cliffs, huge colonies of seals, historic sites, plus some of Australia’s finest seafood, cheese and whisky, you will love Tasmania’s Bruny Island.
A short drive and a ferry ride from Hobart, a whole new world awaits those keen on scenery, wildlife and something good to eat.
Don’t miss: Take yourself on a degustation tour of Bruny’s finest producers. Visit the cider makers, oyster farmers, cheese makers, whisky distillers, beer brewers, chocolatiers and more.
Essentials: Bruny Island is accessible via a car ferry from Kettering, a half-hour drive south of Hobart. Accommodation is available at a range of prices. See brunyisland.org.au.
The wanderluster Norfolk Island
Why you’ll love it: Those with itchy feet might not be able to head further afield than Australia right now, but this is the next best thing.
Norfolk Island is steeped in history, an outcrop far out in the Pacific that was set up as a penal colony after Captain James Cook landed, and was later settled by Pitcairn Islanders (including mutineers from the Bounty), who had outgrown their own small isle.
These days visitors can tap into that history with visits to sites that date to early Polynesian settlement.
Don’t miss: Norfolk’s best-known historic attraction is probably Kingston, a heritage-listed series of military and government buildings on a site founded in 1788. The old town ruins there date to that time.
Essentials: There are regular direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney to Norfolk Island.
Accommodation ranges from self-contained apartments to hotels and B&Bs. See norfolkisland.com.au. – traveller.com.au
Carbon footprint:
Flying generates carbon emissions. To offset your carbon emissions, head to airnewzealand.co.nz/ sustainability-customer-carbon-offset.