Australia is a great place to spend one’s vacation in. The country has thousands of beautiful paradise islands, each with its own set of picturesque beaches and stunning landscapes for your eyes to enjoy. Tourists enjoy coming to Australia because every time they take a vacation, they can choose a different set of islands to explore.
If you are looking for a highly-recommended place for a well-deserved vacation, the tourist attractions across the islands of Australia should be more than enough to sway your decision. Here are some of the most popular island destinations the continent has to offer:
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1. Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a peaceful landmass located along the coast of Cairns and is a preferable staying place if you are looking for a bit of adventure. The island is famous for giving visitors a physically engaging type of vacation, so it would be wise to book a comfortable place to stay in advance in case your body is unable to handle the activities. Finding accommodation won’t be hard on the island as there are a number of affordable resorts which offer quality services.
Much of the activities in Fitzroy Island include walking and trekking along different trails and tracks that lead to breathtaking views over the beaches and cliffs. For instance, the popular Nudey Beach can be reached by taking the easy beach track along the coastline, which should only take you twenty minutes even at an effortless pace. Then there’s also the Summit Track, a difficult three-hour set of trails that reward travelers with a picture-perfect view of the forests and waters on top of a bouldered cliff.
2. Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island lies in the Tasman Sea just east of Port Macquarie, and is a favourite of most people because of the island’s anti-crowding policy: there can only be a maximum of 400 visitors on the island at any given time. This limit allows people to enjoy the clear waters and lush forests without having to worry about socializing too much or go through the tracks and trails repeatedly without thinking about how your speed is affecting other people’s adventures.
The island is also a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, as it is home to a diverse collection of marine and avian life. Bird watchers often come to Lord Howe Island during different seasons to complete their bird watching collections. Aside from the impressive wildlife, travellers can also partake in beach activities like snorkeling, diving, and even fishing, while being mentored by the local guides.
3. Rottnest Island
You can get to Rottnest Island by taking a ferry ride from Hillarys Boat Harbor just north of Perth, and it would only take fifteen to twenty minutes before you see the pristine waters of the island’s beaches. Similar to Lord Howe Island, most of the buzz surrounding Rottnest comes from its extensive and unique gathering of animals. While you can explore the island on your own, it is highly recommended to avail the local tours so that you can be better guided across the wilderness. Having a professional guide is also better if you plan to get close with dangerous animals like the island’s exotic breed of crocodiles. Additionally, the tours will allow you to watch humpback whales splashing around the shores if it’s migration season.
The top crowd-drawer among the species in Rottnest is the quokka, recognized by the internet as the most photogenic animals on Earth. The quokka became popular due to their nature of smiling when faced with a camera, allowing thousands of tourists to take precious selfies with the cute marsupials. Try not to get too close, though, as quokka has also been known to act aggressively once they feel provoked or harassed. While most people would think the smiling mammals are harmless, a number of reports have actually been filed against quokkas for attacking humans. If you’re planning to stay for more than a day or two, you’ll find great accommodation options local to fremantle.
4. Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsundays is an archipelago consisting of nearly 74 islands along the East Coast of Australia. The most common way to explore these islands is to hire Wings Bareboat Charter Whitsundays to island hop between them. Whitsundays Island is the largest in the group and home of the well-known Whitehaven Beach. Hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world back in 2016, Whitehaven boasts of sparkling pristine waters and long stretches of white sand. People prefer going about the beach barefoot to get the complete experience of the sand’s soft texture.
If you are not on a budget, try visiting Hamilton Island for a luxury night or two at any of the secluded resort places on the island. Recognized as one of the top-tier accommodations worldwide, a quale is a popular choice for travelers looking to check-in for an evening of pure calmness and relaxation. The pavilion hotel also offers an award-winning spa, authentic restaurants, and bars, as well as a library for touring bookworms. If you schedule your trip well, you can also catch exclusive performances like the annual Australian Ballet event or the Hamilton Island Race Week.