Australia's more famous islands: 1. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Queensland's World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef has hundreds of dreamlike islands and coral atolls to choose from.
Luxury lovers and honeymooners will be in awe at Lizard Island, the exclusive Bedarra or the privately owned Double Island and Haggerstone Island.
In paradise.
For a wilderness experience, head to a bush camp on Fitzroy Island or hike the Thorsborne Trail on mist-shrouded Hinchinbrook Island.
Take a day trip to Green Island and Fitzroy Island, snorkel among the colorful reefs of the Low Isles, or join an Aboriginal guide at Hope Islands National Park
Sea kayaking around Snapper Island.
Townsville, Port Douglas and Lucinda are some of the main land gateways.
2. Torres Strait Islands, Queensland The Torres Strait Islands are located just north of Cape York, between Australia and Papua New Guinea. They consist of 274 small islands, of which only 17 are inhabited.
These communities developed a unique blend of Melanesian and Aboriginal Australian cultures.
You can visit Thursday or Horn Island, the most developed islands in the archipelago, to get a glimpse of this cultural specialty.
Thursday Island is a ferry ride from Cape York and learn about the local pearling and fishing industries.
Horn Island can be reached by plane, and you can visit the island's museums, art galleries and World War II historical sites.
Both islands have pristine sandy beaches, azure waters and gorgeous fringing reefs, and are home to dugongs and sea turtles.
3. Whitsundays, Queensland You can sail, swim, snorkel, dive, or just relax in the Whitsundays – 74 pristine palm-fringed islands hidden in the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
Sea) deep.
Accessible from Airlie Beach and Proserpine, these small islands suit every type of holidaymaker.
Enjoy the luxury of a five-star resort on Hayman Island and party on Daydream Island or Hamilton Island.
Visit the Whitsunday Islands and stroll among the pristine white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach.
Camp on Hook Island, Lindeman Island or Brampton Island, or find an eco-friendly place to stay, where much of the area is a national park.
Long Island and South Molle Island are nestled in tranquil resorts amid beautiful natural scenery.
Other islands are off-the-beaten-path tropical oases – they can be explored by sea kayak, seaplane or charter sailboat.
4. Fraser Island, Queensland On Fraser Island, which is listed on the World Heritage List, the world's largest sand island and a whole new world are waiting.
Take a ferry from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, or fly from Brisbane.
After arriving, you can drive a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle or visit on foot.
Walk through the rainforest on the dunes and spot kangaroos, wallabies and possums.
You can fish on the beach or swim in the freshwater lakes, some of which look like they are edged with gold, while others are as clear as azure.
See the colorful sand cliffs of The Cathedrals, explore the historic Maheno shipwreck, or watch migrating humpback whales from Indian Head.
Whether you're camping or opting for a luxury eco-lodge, the accommodations blend in with the surrounding nature.
5. Kangaroo Island, South Australia If you want to have an Australian wildlife adventure, Kangaroo Island is definitely the first choice. It can be reached by a short flight from Adelaide or a ferry from Cape Jervis.