Discover an island escape across the beaches of Queensland

With easy accessibility to limitless rainforests, stunning seashores and postcard-worthy islands proper off the coast from south to north, the chance to discover Australian nature in its purest type has by no means been simpler than it’s in Queensland. Right here’s the place to go and what to do when you’re looking for an unforgettable journey to Australia, jam-packed with breathtaking seashores and island getaways.

Woman Elliot Island

On the southernmost tip of the world-famous Nice Barrier Reef, Woman Elliot Island is a must-visit for anybody who loves spending time by the ocean and witnessing marine wildlife. This idyllic island was fashioned six million years in the past from a coral reef rising out of the water, which means the seaside is made nearly completely of coral. It’s largely well-known for its large populations of large majestic manta rays and marine life, together with multi-coloured parrotfish, reef sharks, inexperienced and loggerhead turtles and gliding eagle stingrays. There’s additionally an extremely various inhabitants of seabirds and migratory species, from wedge-tailed shearwaters to placing red-tailed tropicbirds. Woman Elliot Island additionally serves as a mannequin for sustainable tourism, working on renewable vitality and actively taking part in initiatives aimed toward preserving and regenerating coral reefs.

North Stradbroke Island

For laid-back island life, North Stradbroke Island is your calling. With easy accessibility from Brisbane, you may mix seeing all the town sights with a slice of beachside bliss. It’s the second-largest sand island on the planet and is characterised by unbelievable landscapes of sandy seashores, freshwater lakes, mottled dunes and thick bushland. Get caught into every kind of out of doors actions like swimming, browsing, bushwalking and whale watching at Level Lookout through the migration season. Right here you can even don your mountain climbing boots and head alongside the North Gorge Stroll, maintaining your eyes peeled for dolphins, turtles and different marine life frolicking within the neighbouring sea. The island has numerous pristine seashores, together with Cylinder Seashore, Frenchman’s Seashore, and Most important Seashore, the place you may get pleasure from swimming, browsing and absorbing the solar.

Moreton Island

Moreton Island is one other adventurer’s haven simply over an hour from buzzy Brisbane. You might simply spend a complete week knee-deep in actions right here and nonetheless have heaps left to do. The island’s crystal clear freshwater Blue Lagoon is a well-liked spot for swimming and chilling, bordered by craggy dunes and dense greenery. There’s additionally the Tangalooma Desert, a dream to discover by 4×4; hop on an organised tour or hire your individual four-wheeler. Be sure to take alongside your digital camera, the world is outlined by placing multicoloured dunes, additional enhanced by shadows and light-weight that dance on the hilly sandbanks all through the day.

Okay’gari (Fraser Island)

If there’s one factor Queensland isn’t in need of, it’s UNESCO World Heritage Websites, of which the area boasts 5, together with Okay’gari, previously Fraser Island. It’s the world’s largest sand island and one among its most exceptional, consisting of 122km of distinctive landscapes scattered with tropical rainforest springing out of sand, iridescent freshwater lakes, jacuzzi-like Champagne Swimming pools, shipwrecks and numerous ocean lookout factors. Many individuals discover the island by 4×4, traversing shifting dunes and between lush forests, recognizing dingoes and swamp wallabies alongside the way in which. If in case you have time, spend an evening tenting out beneath the celebs; the night time sky right here is phenomenal, and you’ll even catch a glimpse of the Milky Manner, constellations and meteor showers away from the city glow.

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island, or Hamo because the locals usually name it, is the gateway to the Nice Barrier Reef and world-renowned Whitehaven Seashore. This tropical paradise is likely one of the largest of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays, well-known for its white sandy seashores and multicoloured coral reefs, finest explored by boat or seaplane. Discover a few of the Nice Barrier Reef on a snorkelling or diving tour, getting up near inexperienced sea turtles, Nemo-like clownfish and bobbing sea cucumbers. When you want one thing just a little extra leisurely, there are a great deal of island bush walks that take you to hidden coves, secret seashores and scenic lookouts. Pack a picnic to get pleasure from enroute at any of the island’s picturesque picnic spots.

Inexperienced Island

Queensland is the reward that retains on giving, and fewer than an hour from Cairns, you’ll discover Inexperienced Island, a powerful 6,000-year-old coral cay located amongst the Nice Barrier Reef. It’s a novel place to remain, lined in a carpet of tropical rainforest crammed with native wildlife and surrounded by excellent white sand seashores. Spend a day right here or keep a number of nights on the resort for the last word luxurious getaway. Be sure to save loads of time to snorkel or scuba dive right here, the waters are teeming with every kind of marine life and sumptuous, brightly colored coral. For a extra laid-back exercise, cruise across the shoreline by canoe and absorb all of the unbelievable views from the water, or comply with one of many many nature trails the island has to supply.