What Are The Best Queensland Islands To Visit?

Gabby Boucher

July 16th, 2024

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5 minute read

The best Queensland islands to visit range from the tropical northern islands of the Great Barrier Reef to the rugged and beautiful sand islands of the Southeast Queensland Coast. Queensland's sunny coastline is home to hundreds of islands! Some are well-known among tourists and others are hidden gems. 

While travelling Australia's East Coast, Queensland is the perfect place to treat yourself to an island getaway! All along the coast you can find stunning islands with pristine beaches, unique wildlife, lush forests, and fun adventure activities. We've compiled a list of Queensland's top 10 islands for travellers so you can choose your next destination Down Under. 

What is the best island to go to in Queensland?

All of Queensland's islands are beautiful in their own way, so the best island to visit will depend on your preferences. Do you want a peaceful island retreat where you can relax at a resort and sip cocktails in the sunshine? Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays is perfect for you! Or maybe you prefer a more wild island adventure full of camping, hiking, and four-wheel-driving. Then K'gari (Fraser Island) is the ultimate destination. 

Many of the islands in Queensland offer a combination of relaxation and nature exploration. Visit islands on the Great Barrier Reef such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island for fabulous snorkelling. Animal lovers can visit Magnetic Island to spot koalas or Lady Elliot Island to spot sea turtles. Whether you want beaches, forests, reefs, restaurants, cafes, water sports, camping spots, or anything else in between, there is an island in Queensland for you!

The 10 Best Queensland Islands To Visit

So let's get into our list of the best Queensland islands to visit! There are many more gorgeous islands that aren't on this list, but here are 10 of the most popular destinations among backpackers. Hopefully this helps you narrow down your search for the perfect island getaway in Queensland! We've listed the islands in order from North to South. 

Green Island

Located 28km off the coast of Cairns, Green Island is one of the most popular day trip destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. As a sand cay nestled on top of reefs, this small island has soft sandy shores, shallow blue water, and flourishing coral gardens. Green Island has amazing snorkelling and you can often spot sea turtles munching on the sea grass around the island!

Fitzroy Island

Another convenient day trip from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a more mountainous alternative to Green Island. With sloping, vegetation-covered hills and gorgeous beaches like the famous Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island is a glorious spot for hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, and sunbathing. Head here for the day or spend the night at the cosy Fitzroy Island Resort for a bit of luxury. 

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is definitely one of Queensland’s most famous islands! Reachable by ferry from Townsville, travellers love to spend a few nights on this island paradise as they journey up or down the East Coast. From visiting the local koala sanctuary to hiking past the island’s historic locations, to beach-hopping between secret coves, there are lots of fun things to do on Magnetic Island. 

Whitsunday Island

As the largest island in the Whitsunday Islands chain off the coast of Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Island is most known for being the home to Whitehaven Beach. This picture-perfect destination has swirling silica sands, vibrant turquoise waters, and scenic forests that draw in travellers from around the world. No visit to the Whitsundays is complete without visiting the gorgeous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island!

Hamilton Island

Another one of the best islands in the Whitsundays is Hamilton Island. This is one of the most developed islands in the area, with multiple resorts, cafes, restaurants, shops, and spas in addition to the amazing beaches and hiking trails. Hamilton Island draws in backpackers, families, and even celebrities with its idyllic scenery and upscale amenities.

Hook Island

Hook Island is also in the Whitsundays, but it has a more rugged vibe compared to Hamilton Island and the other fancy resort islands near Airlie Beach. Hook Island offers truly untouched wilderness, with a few remote bush campgrounds, Ngaro cultural sites, and secluded hiking trails. The fringing reefs around the island offer some of the best snorkelling in the Whitsundays!

Lady Elliot Island

Down in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is another lovely spot to escape the hustle and bustle and mingle with wildlife. Accessible by scenic flight from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Brisbane, or Gold Coast, visitors flock to Lady Elliot Island between November and March to watch the annual sea turtle nesting and hatching! The island also offers fabulous snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours where you can spot more marine life in the Great Barrier Reef. 

K'gari (Fraser Island)

K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is the largest sand island in the world. It’s also a protected national park and is accessible via 4WD only, making it a unique and wild spot for outdoor adventures. From swimming in the crystal-clear Lake McKenzie, to walking through ancient rainforests that grow in the sand, to driving a 4WD across 75 Mile Beach at sunrise and spotting wild dingos, K’gari is one of Australia’s best adventure destinations. 

Moreton Island

A popular day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast is Moreton Island. This incredible Queensland island is ideal for a day of outdoor fun! Snorkel, kayak, or scuba dive around the fascinating chain of sunken ships known as Tangalooma Wrecks. Or head onshore and sandboard down the golden dunes. There is no shortage of epic things to do on Moreton Island!

North Stradbroke Island

Last but not least on our list of the best Queensland islands to visit, North Stradbroke Island is another convenient day trip from Brisbane. Home to tranquil freshwater lakes, picturesque beaches, diverse marine life, and magnificent coastal hikes, there is no better place to connect with nature and have an action-packed day of exploring outside the city. 

Combine any of these incredible Queensland islands with an epic East Coast Australia itinerary!

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