Australian Island Resorts Information
The many fabulous resorts on the Australian coastal islands are a magnet to tourists from around the world. Some of them are listed among the top hotels in the world. Queensland is Australia’s most popular holiday state when it comes to tourism as it enjoys a climate that ranges from temperate right through to tropical so during the southern winter many people like to migrate north from Australian capital cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide to spend some time on a balmy tropical island.
In the Australian north, the city of Cairns is the jumping off point for many of these island resorts. Lizard Island is a five star resort set right among the reefs of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. It features fantastic diving and fishing and is close to iconic dive sites like the Cod Hole and the Ribbon reefs. Green Island is a coral atoll close to Cairns and part of the reef itself. It has a five star resort and you can dive and snorkel off the beach. Dunk Island and Bedarra Island lie a little south of Cairns. Dunk Island is a fantastic family destination with lots of activities to entertain the kids and Bedarra is a haven for the rich and famous, with total privacy and very limited numbers of guests.
Hinchinbrook Island is a huge coastal Island with mountains covered by rainforests, waterfalls and beautiful bushwalking trails. Close to Townsville is Orpheus Island. Orpheus is a foodies paradise with degustation style dining and a luxury accommodation. Again limited numbers of guests make this a peaceful paradise.
The Whitsunday Islands are among Australia’s most famous. Hamilton Island is the largest and has its own airport. Hamilton Island Resort contains many different types of accommodation including the new Qualia resort and the Reef View Hotel. Most visitors to the Australian island resorts in the Whitsundays will arrive at Hamilton Island and then travel by ferry to their chosen resort. Hayman Island is one of the most luxurious. Daydream Island is great for families and there are several resorts on Long Island. Brampton Island resort is the southernmost in the Whitsundays and can be accessed from Mackay.
Off the southern Queensland Coast are Heron Island, Great Keppel Island and Lady Elliot Island. Both Heron and Lady Elliot are true coral atolls located on top of the reef and specialise in diving and snorkelling holidays. There are several major sand islands in the south of Queensland that are world heritage listed and are home to great island resorts. Fraser Island is Australia’s largest sand island and located off Hervey Bay. Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island are located off Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Well offshore from New South Wales are two famous islands. Norfolk Island is steeped in Australia’s early history when it had its beginnings as a convict jail. Today it provides pristine Australian island holidays for its lucky visitors. Lord Howe Island is one of the world’s last untouched paradises. Twin mountains tower over fantastic beaches and a coral lagoon that is the southernmost in the world. Both of these have many great resorts to stay at.
Along the Australian southern coastline you can see unique wildlife on its nearby Islands. Phillip Island in Victoria is famous for its Koala and penguin colonies and Kangaroo Island in South Australia is a microcosm of Australian wildlife. Both also feature rugged windswept, coastal scenery that is northing short of extraordinary. Perth is close to Rottnest Island which is a great place for a weekend away and in the north of the country places like Cockatoo island, the Tiwi Islands and Melville island are all fantastic Australian islands to visit.
If you are coming to Australia for a holiday or vacation, be sure to investigate including one of the fantastic Australian Island resorts in your itinerary.
