When most people think of a tropical getaway in Australia, Queensland islands might be some of the first places that spring to mind.
There are 900 islands across 7,000 kilometres of incredible coastline in Queensland, and The Great Barrier Reef spans over 2,300 kilometres, covering 348,000 square kilometres. That makes it the largest living thing on the planet.
Whether you’re after an adventure holiday, fun times with family and friends by the pool, or relaxation and rejuvenation, there’s a Queensland island that will tick all the boxes.
An unbeatable luxury retreat on Hayman Island
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef at the top of the Whitsunday archipelago you’ll find Hayman Island – an iconic, five-star private island resort spanning 294 hectares.
The InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is the only accomodation on the island, and it’s framed by lush tropical rainforest on one side, with the Coral Sea and a white-sanded lagoon with crystal clear water on the other. You’d be hard pressed to find a resort that’s more picture-perfect.
There are 182 guest rooms, suites and villas across four distinct wings – Pool, Lagoon, Beach and Pavilion. Whether you choose to stay in one of the double-storey residencies with panoramic views of the Coral Sea, or a two-bedroom pool suite with private balconies that allow you to literally swim out into the pool, a stay here is all about indulgent island living at its finest.
The Resort boasts five restaurants and bars, as well as bespoke destination-inspired private dining. The signature restaurant, The Pacific, welcomes guests from breakfast to dinner, featuring a menu curated around Queensland’s finest seafood and premium meats.
At the bar, guests can stop by for a glass of local wine, a craft beer or a cocktail. For a romantic dining option, the resort can curate gourmet picnics to be enjoyed on a remote beach, or serve lunch at your poolside cabana so you can sip and dip while enjoying a pizza or a seafood platter.
The InterContinental also hosts unique experiences that celebrate its stunning landscape. Try snorkelling and fishing, or take a speedboat to a beach on one of the nearby islands to watch a sunset with a bottle of sparkling wine. Or go paddleboarding and kayaking from Hayman Beach, tee off at the state-of-the-art golf simulator, join yoga and wellness classes, or have a round of tennis or squash.
At Hayman Spa & Wellness you’ll find a sanctuary inspired by nature and the gentle pace of the island itself. Hayman Spa partners exclusively with Subtle Energies, a globally recognised wellness house that honours the connection between science and spirit, with treatments rooted in Ayurvedic principles and supported by modern clinical research.
Laidback Coochiemudlo (aka Coochie) Island
For an island that’s all about family fun, check out Coochiemudlo Island, which is a seven-minute ferry ride from Brisbane. The red cliffs inspired the island’s name, with the Aboriginal words kutchi and muldo translating to ‘red’ and ‘rock’.
The island is fringed by heritage-listed bushland and home to abundant wildlife – spot dolphins and dugongs enjoying the clear waters, and mud crabs marching along the beach at low tide. The main beach is ideal for swimming, surfing and fishing, and you can hire standup paddle boards, aqua bikes and kayaks if you want to get out on the water.
For a spot of golf, head to Coochie Golf Club, which is home to a 9-hole course set amongst the bushland. On the last Saturday of every month, the club hosts a day of live music, food and drinks, making it a great place to meet friendly locals.
For a relaxed dining experience, head to Viva Coochie. During the day, enjoy toasties with a barista-made coffee along with sweet treats such as slices, cookies and cakes, or have a classic Aussie lunch of oyster, calamari and a perfectly cooked steak.
On Wednesday nights, $19.50 will get you a steak or chicken schnitzel with chips and a homemade sauce; Thursday is for two courses of pizza or pasta for $19.50, and on Sundays from 2pm – 9pm guests can tuck into a home-style roast dinner for only $21 per person.
True relaxation and gourmet delights on Bribie Island
Connected to the Moreton Bay mainland by a convenient bridge, Bribie Island is perfect for a relaxing day trip combining natural beauty with delicious food.
The island features several national parks (some with camping facilities), surf beaches and calmer, protected beaches for those travelling with children. In fact, it’s the world’s fourth-largest sand island, covering 148 square kilometres.
History buffs should check out heritage-listed Fort Bribie – a WWII naval defence fortification built in 1942, that still showcases its operation room, guns and bunkers. The area is accessible by 4WD, or you can take a 20-kilometre walk from Woorim.
You can book a tour with G’Day Adventure Tours, and enjoy kayaking, explore Fort Bribie, visit lagoons and secluded beaches, and tuck into a sea-to-table lunch made from fresh local produce and put together by your friendly guides who are a wealth of knowledge.
For a unique experience that’ll have you feeling as though you cruised into a pocket of Venice, take the Bribie Island Gondola and glide through canals out to the Pumicestone Passage, where the Glasshouse Mountains create a stunning backdrop for a photo.
The beautifully refurbished gondola has lounge seating and mood lighting, and it can be booked for a special dinner featuring a four-course gourmet menu including a chilled bottle of French champagne.
Bribie Island is also home to a relaxed cafe culture. Annie Lane Cafe is a family-run spot serving all day brunch, with a focus on Moreton Bay produce sourced from local farmers. It’s also the home of Bribie Island’s only boozy bottomless brunch, which includes one hour of bottomless mimosas.
Make sure to try the Korean egg drop sandwich, with a toasted brioche, sriracha, soft scrambled eggs, and bacon, or tuck into an acai bowl with gluten free granola and seasonal fruits. The drinks menu is equally inventive, whether you’re after a cold pressed juice, fruit smoothie, or rainbow milkshake with cream, sprinkles and fairyfloss.
Embrace culture and nature on Thursday Island
Thursday Island may be the most remote place on this list, but it is well worth the journey. After travelling from Cairns to Horn Island, it’s an easy ferry ride across to Thursday Island with Torres Strait Tours.
Known as Waibene to locals, the island is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait, and one of 274 islands that sit between Cape York and Papua New Guinea.
Start at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, which has an awesome collection of historic artefacts and contemporary Indigenous artwork from talented locals. It’s also a great way to learn more about the culture of the island while picking up some beautiful souvenirs.
Green Hill Fort, which was built in the 1890s to protect the coast and was used as a military headquarters during WWII, now displays the fort and cannons as a reminder of the past, while also offering one of the best views of the island. At its peak, more than 5,000 soldiers were stationed in the area, and the underground tunnels here are home to the Torres Strait Historical Museum, which sheds light on the region’s history.
Torres Strait Eco Adventures operate tours of the island, including visits to Green Hill Fort, the Cultural Centre, and the Japanese Pearl Divers Cemetery, which honours the fallen divers who worked in the pearl industry after pearl shells were first discovered near the island in the 1890s.
After a day of exploring, enjoy a hearty feed at Torres Hotel – Australia’s northernmost pub – or dine alfresco at The Grand Hotel. If you feel like an overnight stay, there’s motel-style rooms with ocean views, ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning. On Sundays you can enjoy a classic roast dinner and meet some locals.
Luxury glamping on Wilson Island
An adults-only private getaway on the Great Barrier Reef, Wilson Island combines luxury glamping with sustainable practices for a one-of-a-kind holiday. Guests can choose from one of nine permanent Reef Safari Tents, each fitted with luxury amenities including a king bed, bath and private deck.
On arrival, you’ll be greeted by your host and chef, who will take you to the shared longhouse where you will enjoy all meals with the other guests. All food and drinks are included in your stay, and the team works closely with local produce suppliers to craft a delicious daily menu. The chefs will pack you a picnic hamper if you’re planning on strolling across the island and finding a secluded beach.
With no phones or televisions permitted, Wilson Island is the ideal place to switch off and reconnect with nature. The staff are passionate about sustainability, which means everything on the island is 100 per cent solar and battery-powered, with biodegradable bathroom amenities, eco and organic linen, 100 per cent Australian products, and a complete ban on single-use plastics.
Popular activities include kayaking, snorkelling, bird watching, stargazing and watching turtles as they lay their eggs on the shoreline. Note that due to this, Wilson Island Resort closes from February 1 to April 1 each year to allow the marine birds and turtles peace and quiet.
If you enjoyed this story on Queensland islands, check out our story on adventures in Far North Queensland.
Rex has flights all over Queensland. To book your next adventure, take a look at the route map below, and head to the Rex website.
