What are the best islands in Australia for visitors?

The best islands in Australia include Hamilton Island, Fraser Island, Rottnest Island, Maria Island, Kangaroo Island and Lord Howe Island.

There are plenty of islands in Australia. Some are underrated, some are frankly dangerous, and others are just fun. Australia Travel Questions has picked out ten in the latter category…

Best islands in Queensland

Hamilton Island: The most developed of the Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island also has the biggest range of things to do. The activities include jetski and quad bike tours, plus kayaking and wildlife walks. Proximity to the Great Barrier Reef is the main drawcard, however. Catamaran sailing cruises and snorkelling with turtles tours depart from the island, as do exclusive experiences at the much-photographed Heart Reef. There are direct flights to Hamilton Island from Brisbane, but you can also take a ferry from the Queensland town of Airlie Beach.

Magnetic Island: A short ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island boasts plenty of wildlife. Expect wallabies on the rocks and koalas in the eucalyptus trees. Magnetic Island is not on the Great Barrier Reef, but watersports are the main activities on offer. Diving courses, sea kayaking tours and sailing cruises are among the options. On dry land, you can walk to see the World War II forts.

Fraser Island/ K’gari: The world’s largest sand island is accessible from either Hervey Bay or Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach. Fraser Island 4WD tours have been a backpacker staple for decades, but there’s more to the island than just driving down the beach past the Maheno Shipwreck. The astonishingly pure inland lakes are heavenly to swim in, while there are fabulous walking trails through the interior rainforest from the Central Station camping area. The Kingfisher Bay Resort also offers a host of activities, including bush food walks and explorations of a secret military training base. The K’Gari World Heritage Discovery Centre is also at Kingfisher Bay.

Moreton Island: The ferry from Brisbane to Moreton Island takes less than an hour, and a massive array of activities awaits once there. Moreton Island is most famous for the nightly feeding of wild dolphins on the beach outside. The Tangalooma Island Resort runs that. But Moreton Island also offers shipwreck snorkelling tours, sandboarding down massive dunes and inland quad biking. It’s also possible to go camping on Moreton Island.

Best islands in New South Wales

Cockatoo Island: Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, and is a World Heritage site courtesy of its convict-era heritage. There’s an unusual campground in the middle of the harbour, while concerts often take place there. But the real reason to visit Cockatoo Island is the walking tours concentrating on ghosts and shady characters.

Lord Howe Island: Only small numbers of people are allowed on Lord Howe Island at any one time, and it’s aimed at the luxury end of the scale. Birdwatchers enjoy tracking down incredibly rare species and kids love hand-feeding enormous kingfish in the shallows. The meeting of warm and cold ocean currents makes Lord Howe Island a snorkeller’s paradise, while muddy booters can attempt to climb Mount Gower. There are daily flights to Lord Howe Island from Sydney.

Best islands in Australia: Other states

Phillip Island, Victoria: The nightly penguin parade is why most people make the day trip from Melbourne. But Phillip Island is one of Australia’s best islands for visitors because there’s much more than that. There are wineries, a brewery, the Koala Conservation Centre and several water-based tours. These include jet boat tours and the chance to go snorkelling with a sea scooter.

Maria Island, Tasmania: Cars are banned on Maria Island, making it fabulous for walkers and cyclists. There’s plenty of convict history around the old Probation Station, while natural attractions include the multi-coloured painted cliffs. It’s the wildlife that most come for, however. Cruises around Maria Island focus on the seals playing on the rocks, and often encounter dolphins. The wombats are the stars, though. Maria Island is arguably the best place in Australia to see wombats – they can be found snuffling all over the place. The Maria Island ferry departs from Triabunna.

Rottnest Island, Western Australia: Western Australia’s best island for visitors is the top day trip from Perth. Car-free Rottnest Island is ringed by stunning Indian Ocean beaches, and has a massive menu of activities. These include scenic flights, skydives, nature cruises, crayfish-catching boat trips and glass-bottomed sea kayaks. It’s the adorable Rottnest Island quokkas that most people come to see, however. You won’t have to look too hard for them – ride a bike around quokka island for a while and you’ll see plenty. The Rottnest Island weather is best between October and April.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia: Wildlife is Kangaroo Island’s strong suit. Kangaroos bound through national parks, sea lions catch the sun on beaches and sleepy koalas snooze in trees. There’s a fair share of adventure too. Caving, horse-riding and sand-boarding are options. On the more sedate front, try tasting local produce at distilleries, wineries and honeymakers. The Sealink Kangaroo Island ferry leaves from Cape Jervis.