The Queensland Islands
Stretching some 2500 miles and described as the eighth wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef, and her islands, offer something for everyone. This is a great place for family holidays , with children well catered for at most resorts. For those wanting to escape the pressures of day to day life, the Queensland Islands are perfect. With an endless choice, the hardest decision is to decide which one to go to. Read on, and contact Tourism Review. for specialised information.
There are 3 main groups of islands on the Queensland coast.
Far North Group
Whitsundays
Southern Group
All are unique in their own special way.
The Far North Group
Are accessed from Cairns and Townsville, and include Lizard Island, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Dunk Island, Bedarra and Orpheus Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Magnetic Island, and of course Thursday Island in the Torres Straits. The group offers a variety of accommodation from pure luxury on Lizard to backpacker's on Fitzroy Island. I have personally been to Lizard, Thursday, Dunk, Fitzroy, Green, Hinchinbrook, and Magnetic Islands. The ones that I am waiting to visit are Bedarra and Orpheus, but I have it on good authority that these two are for the romantic escape and will live up to their deluxe reputation accordingly.
The beauty about an Island holiday, is that everything is included, meals, transfers, and accommodation. Most offer non motorised water sports for free and will organise charter boats for fishing or diving trips. The Australian Islands are famous for their natural unspoilt beauty, relaxed atmosphere and white sandy beaches. This is where the Aussies go to unwind from the day to day pressures of life and we guarantee that you will come away refreshed and revitalised.
The newly refurbished Green Island is an eco-tourism development, and a World Heritage listed Nature Reserve.
Fitzroy Island is approximately a 45 minute boat ride from Cairns and is a day tripper's paradise, and for those who cannot stay on an island for a long time is a great introduction to Island life.
Fitzroy is the backpacker's haven, with dormitory style accommodation from around $20.00AUD per night and only 50 meters from the beach. I recommend it highly. It's pure fun. With the accessibility to the Great Barrier Reef, and the Island's variety of accommodation styles, everyone is catered for.
The Whitsunday Group
This is the most popular group of Queensland Islands. There are over 70 islands in the group. The main ones are - Hayman Island, Hamilton Island, South Molle and Daydream Island, Hook, Brampton, and Palm Bay Hideaway on Long Island.
Accessed from Airlie Beach or by aircraft, this is the most popular area for Australians to go on vacation. My mother went to Hayman for her honeymoon a long long time ago and we have watched this beautiful island develop over the years into one of Australia's finest resorts. It is the only Australian Resort to achieve an international Leading Hotels of the World rating, and it is pure luxury. I have a soft spot for this Island, and will be more than happy to go into detail with anyone thinking of going to Hayman.
Hamilton Island is the largest resort of the Whitsunday Group, with its own jet airport. Just a small example of its size - 8 swimming pools, dozens of shops and boutiques, many many restaurants, abundant night life, and just about every water sport and activity that you can think of. It also has its own fully functional marina, with the Island being the show-case for the Hamilton Island Race Week. The elite of the International sailing circuit gather here for a week of racing, and partying. It's a major event in the sailing world and enhances Hamilton's special charm and appeal.
The opposite to Hamilton is probably Palm Bay on Long Island. Here the emphasis is no fuss, unhurried, and down to earth. Just sit back and watch the sun come up and the sun go down for days on end. The Whitsundays are paradise on earth, with beautiful islands, fantastic cruising grounds and the Barrier Reef right at your door, how could you go wrong.
The Southern Group
At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef are the islands of Great Keppel, Lady Elliot and the famous Heron. These three islands are each very different. Great Keppel, or better known down here as Get Wrecked on Keppel, I think explains itself. This Island has been popular with the younger set for as long as I can remember and you will come away wrecked.
Heron island has one feature that the other islands can not offer. It is a coral cay and actually sits on top of the reef. Due to it's delicate environmental situation, day trippers are not allowed on the cay. There is limited accommodation on the island, but from here there is no need for boat trips back and forth to the reef, you just walk out your door, into the water and you are there. Heron is also a World Heritage listed Marine Park, and is great for watching the giant green turtles lay their eggs at the right time of the year. Along with Lady Elliott island, Heron is one of the really special islands of Queensland.
Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and one of the most southern of the Queensland Islands, is a fantastic vacation. You can spend a week here exploring. With its massive dunes and its rain forest interior it offers many different activities. This is 4 WD heaven and has a variety of accommodation styles. The delightful resort, Kingfisher Bay is the most luxurious on the island and a stylish way to visit Fraser. Combine Fraser island with Whale watching tours, 4 WD expeditions, and plenty of hiking, you will be impressed.
For detailed information on one, several, or all of the above islands, contact Tourism Review. and we will be in touch.