Queensland’s Best Island Destinations

Queensland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. There are a grand total of 1,955 islands across the tropical northeastern Australian state. Here are five of the most amazing islands found along Queensland’s iconic coastline.

Whitsunday Island

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The largest of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, this island is famous for its 98% pure white silica sand and turquoise waters. Whitsunday Island is uninhabited but visitors are welcome to explore Whitehaven Beach which has been voted the world’s top eco-friendly beach and Queensland’s cleanest beach. The Whitsundays and the neighbouring coastal fringe are the traditional home of the Ngaro Aboriginal people, also known as the ‘Canoe People’.

Moreton Island

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Known to the Ngugi people as Moorgumpin (meaning the place of sandhills), Moreton Island is a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane and is a popular destination for leisure-seekers. The island’s most popular snorkelling spot can be found at the Tangalooma Wrecks which were formed in 1963 when 15 vessels were intentionally sunk to create a breakwall for smaller boats. Other popular activities include feeding wild Bottlenose Dolphins at sunset, sand dune tobogganing and exploring the island’s naturally formed Champagne Pools.

Fraser Island

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Known as K’gari (meaning paradise) by the traditional owners, the Butchulla people, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. The World Heritage-listed island is a popular ecotourism destination known for its 120-kilometre beach highway, 100 fresh water lakes, famous Maheno shipwreck and protected dingo population.

Magnetic Island

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Magnetic Island (known by the Wulgarukaba people as Yunbenun) is located eight kilometres from the Townsville coastline, just a 20-minute ferry ride away. Over half of the island is protected by Magnetic Island National Park, making the island an oasis for native Australian flora and fauna including Koalas, Rock Wallabies and Brush Tail Possums. The tropical island offers countless opportunities to relax and connect with nature.

Hamilton Island

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Hamilton Island is the largest of the Whitsunday’s inhabited islands. This picturesque destination is known as a car-free island where visitors tend to navigate the island in golf buggies. Hamilton Island is the only Whitsunday island with a commercial airport, meaning visitors can fly directly from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

These tropical islands make for beautiful destinations to visit at any time of year. For a slice of paradise, explore Queensland’s natural island wonders.