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Australia is famous for its picturesque beaches and various ecosystems, however, the islands near Australia are no less interesting and frequently hide a secret or two worth uncovering. Islands in the vicinity of Australia are a delightful package of Nature, Adventure, and Serenity. Every island has a unique identity, which makes each one delightfully different, and suitable to almost every type of traveller, be it peace seekers or adventure enthusiasts. Whether you are heading for a calm holiday or looking forward to a thrilling adventure, these turquoise-blue islands present the best of the natural beautification of Australia.
10 Islands Near Australia
Let’s explore some of the most beautiful islands near Australia.
1. Lord Howe Island
Photo: Dylan Shaw / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the most picturesque volcanic islands is Lord Howe Island, which is situated about 600 kilometres east of the Australian mainland. This volcanic island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island measures approximately 11 kilometres long by 2 kilometres wide and is further encircled by a healthy lagoonal coral reef with irreplaceable marine life. Lord Howe Island provides a close encounter to the elements which makes it very appropriate for activities such as hiking, swimming, snorkelling and bird watching.
How To Reach: Flights to Lord Howe Island are available from Sydney and Brisbane, taking about two hours
Things To Do: Hiking trails, snorkelling, diving, birdwatching, and relaxing on the beach
2. Whitsunday Islands
Photo: Cookaa / Wikimedia Commons
The Whitsunday Islands are an extraordinary collection of 74 islands situated in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland and are a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Famous for their exceptional views, the islands consist of clear beaches, colourful corals and green forests. Whitsunday Island is the best-known of these islands as it hosts the well-known Whitehaven Beach, which has the finest white sand made up of silica and blue-coloured waters. Visitors can indulge in numerous pursuits, including sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving in the quiet bays that are teeming with bright tropical fish.
How To Reach: Accessed from Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) and Whitsundays Coast Airport (PPP), with direct flights from major Australian cities
Things To Do: Sailing tours, snorkelling trips to the Great Barrier Reef, hiking trails across the islands, and beach relaxation
3. Rottnest Island
Photo: Mark / Wikimedia Commons
Rottnest Island is a beautifully landscaped island that lies only 19 km from the city of Perth in Western Australia. Most visitors come to the island for its perfect beaches, clear waters, and interesting wildlife. The island measures 19 square kilometres and has over 63 pristine beaches and 20 bays. For this reason, it is a paradise for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. There are no cars on Rottnest Island, which means visitors can enjoy the natural beauty while walking or riding a bike on the designated paths around the island.
How To Reach: Ferries to Rottnest Island depart from Perth (Barrack Street Jetty), Fremantle (Walyalup), and Hillarys Boat Harbour
Things To Do: Snorkelling at Parker Point, cycling around the island, exploring historical sites, and enjoying guided Aboriginal tours
4. Kangaroo Island
Photo: Drmobs / Wikimedia Commons
Kangaroo Island is located in the Southern region of Australia and is the perfect holiday spot for travellers as it is the third largest island in Australia offering scenic views. The island is about 112 km away from Adelaide. The island covers an area of about 4405 square kilometres and is famous for its beautiful scenery, various species of animals, and agriculture. This area comprises cliffs, clear water beaches and thick trees which makes it a perfect place for all those who love nature.
How To Reach: Kangaroo Island can be accessed via a 20-minute flight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport (KGC) or by ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw
Things To Do: Wildlife tours, hiking in national parks, beach walks, wine tasting at local vineyards, and exploring the island’s unique ecosystems
5. Fitzroy Island
Photo: Tanya Gail Garcia / Wikimedia Commons
Fitzroy Island is a beautiful continental island situated 29 km Southeast of Cairns in Queensland Australia, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Covering an area of 11.6 square kilometres, Fitzroy Island is famous for its tropical rainforest, sandy beaches, and coral reef. The island is endowed with several habitats such as mangroves and open woodlands which attract a lot of animals. The island beaches range from snorkeling to swimming where the colorfully rich marine life can be viewed a short distance from the shore.
How To Reach: Ferries from Cairns to Fitzroy Island take about 45 minutes
Things To Do: Snorkelling, swimming, hiking on designated trails, kayaking, and enjoying glass-bottom boat tours
6. Magnetic Island
Photo: Joshua Tagicakibau / Wikimedia Commons
Magnetic Island is an idyllic resort island located only 8km off Townsville, Queensland. The approximate area is 52 sq km and the central portion of the island is characterised by breathtaking views such as granite boulders, white and golden sand beaches and beautiful national parks surrounding it. The tallest of them is Mount Cook, which peaks at 497 meters and offers 360-degree views of the seashore. There are more than 800 tame koalas that call Magnetic Island home and countless species of birds. The settlements consist of small coastal beaches such as Horseshoe Bay, Arcadia, Nelly Bay, and Picnic Bay.
How To Reach: Ferries operate regularly from Townsville to Magnetic Island and vehicle barges are also available for those wishing to bring their cars
Things To Do: Hiking at Forts Walk, snorkelling at Geoffrey Bay, exploring the island’s beaches, and enjoying wildlife tours
7. Phillip Island
Photo: Chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons
Phillip Island is an interesting place to visit as it offers various exciting activities that are approximately 140 kilometres away from Melbourne the capital city of Victoria. The island has a total area of 101 square kilometres. Phillip Island is well known for its beautiful coastal belts, interesting animal species, and the active local community. Some of its attractions include the Penguin Parade, where visitors get to see the smallest species of penguins returning to their nests from fishing as the sun sets. Apart from the penguins, Phillip Island is a wildlife haven with koalas, kangaroos, and seals.
How To Reach: Phillip Island is accessible via car from Melbourne, taking about 90 minutes via the Bass Highway
Things To Do: Penguin Parade, visiting the Koala Conservation Centre, exploring beaches, and enjoying water sports like surfing and kayaking
8. Fraser Island
Photo: Sensenmann / Wikimedia Commons
Fraser Island, also called K’gari, is a must-visit ocean wonder situated on the southeastern coast of Queensland in Australia. Measuring about 122 kilometres long and about 15 kilometres wide for its largest breadth, Fraser Island has different environments such as rain forests, eucalypt forests and scenic perched lakes. This Island offers beautiful sights of vast white dunes, colourful rock formations, and clear blue lakes such as McKenzie Lake among other breathtaking features. Fraser Island boasts rare wildlife such as the original breed of Australian dingoes and several other birds.
How To Reach: Fraser Island can be accessed via ferry from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for exploring the island
Things To Do: 4WD tours along 75 Mile Beach, snorkelling at coral reefs, hiking through rainforests, Maheno Shipwreck and Champagne Pools
9. Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Photo: Shubham / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian territory situated in the northwest of Perth Australia. Comprising 27 islands, this cluster forms a ring-shaped basin of coral reef system known as an atoll and out of them only two have people residing in them; West Island and Home Island. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are considered a playground for water sports lovers with features such as clear lagoons, coral reefs, and beautiful sandy beaches. Tourists can participate in activities like scuba diving, underwater walking, and kitesurfing before venturing into one of the deepest and most diverse sea life marines in the world.
How To Reach: Flights to Cocos (Keeling) Islands operate twice weekly from Perth, with a stop at Christmas Island
Things To Do: Snorkelling at Cossies Beach, kitesurfing lessons, motorized outrigger canoe tours, and local markets
10. Bruny Island
Photo: Patrick McGregor / Unsplash Commons
Bruny Island is simply a marvel of a rugged island off the southeast coast of Tasmania in Australia. The island has two segments, North Bruny and South Bruny, with a very narrow piece of land in between them known as The Neck. With its diverse flora and fauna, Bruny Island is a paradise for people who love outdoor activities such as bird watching or scuba diving as it also has several sea animals, even the rare ones. The island also include the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse which is among the older lighthouses in Australia.
How To Reach: Bruny Island can be accessed via a vehicular ferry that operates from Kettering on the Tasmanian mainland
Things To Do: Exploring local food producers (cheese, oysters), whale watching, and enjoying scenic drives
The island near Australia presents varied experiences from adventure activities, and wildlife, to pampered retreats. From spending lazy days by the azure waters of palm-fringed beaches to discovering diverse flora and fauna, in great connections, these islands boast unique and memorable places for every kind of traveler. Without a doubt every island has its advantages; plan a trip with TripXL so you enjoy your trip even more.
Cover Photo: Dylan Shaw / Unsplash
