Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island, also known as 'Rotto', is located near Perth and is a true sanctuary. The island boasts crystal-clear blue waters, rugged cliffs, and friendly wildlife, making it an ideal choice for nature and animal lovers. Private cars are not allowed on the island, and most visitors choose to explore it on foot or by bicycle. With 63 charming beaches, you can enjoy endless swimming. If you plan to stay for an extended period, the island offers a variety of accommodation options. Here, you can enjoy a slow-paced vacation life.
How to experience: Encounter the 'happiest animal in the world'—the Quokka. Unlike anywhere else, Quokkas only live on Rottnest Island. These marsupials are known for their friendliness and happiness, and are widely popular for their smiling faces. You are sure to see them here and even find many unique 'selfie' opportunities. The island is easily accessible from Perth with a short ferry ride.
Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands in Australia are located on the Great Barrier Reef and are one of Australia's most beautiful natural landscapes. This beautiful archipelago consists of 74 islands, with only some allowing accommodation. All visitors can enjoy the azure waters and white sandy beaches. Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and Hayman Island are three islands with luxurious tropical resorts. Visitors can choose to cruise around the various islands, enjoying a sense of freedom, and there are various multi-day tour activities. If you want a very special experience, you can try taking a private seaplane tour with Air Whitsunday, overlooking the Whitsunday Islands, Heart Reef, and the Great Barrier Reef from the air.
How to experience: Take a private seaplane tour to overlook the Whitsunday Islands, Heart Reef, and the Great Barrier Reef from the air.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, located 13 kilometers off the coast of South Australia, is renowned for its wildlife experiences, beautiful natural landscapes, gourmet food, and Australian spirits. Visitors can admire the orange lichen-covered Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park or stroll through Seal Bay Conservation Park to observe the endangered Australian sea lions. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the sight of platypuses along the Platypus Waterholes Walk trail.
How to experience: Join a day tour to explore the highlights of Kangaroo Island. Besides wildlife and natural scenery, visitors can also taste fresh oysters, gin, local honey, and olives, enjoying the island's culinary culture.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island (K’gari, Fraser Island) is a beautiful island home to Australian dingoes, breaching whales, and beaches that double as roads. This beach stretches for 75 miles (about 120 kilometers) and is one of the longest sandy beaches in the world, making it a perfect vacation spot for free walkers. During the humpback whale migration season (August to October), you can also take a whale-watching boat to see the giant humpback whales.
How to experience: Join the Fraser Island Great Walk, and return to nature along the winding coastal paths.
Lord Howe Island
Located in the sea directly east of Sydney, Lord Howe Island is home to only 300 local residents and allows only 400 visitors at a time. This remote island is a secluded paradise for vacationers. By taking a short flight, you can fully enjoy the unique coastal wildlife, and the island's interior, with its rolling hills, offers excellent exploration opportunities for both beginners and professionals. Although the island's legendary hiking activities are quite challenging, the gourmet food, luxurious accommodations, and leisurely lake diving will surely make your trip comfortable and enjoyable.
How to experience: Don't miss diving in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park, which boasts many renowned dive sites and underwater caves, teeming with marine life and corals that will leave you enchanted.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, consisting of 27 islands, are a multicultural holiday paradise. With white sandy beaches and world-class diving spots, it is a destination suitable for all types of travelers. Flying from Perth to the Cocos Islands, you can enjoy coral reefs and shipwrecks, learn about the history of the local Cocos Malay people, or paddle a canoe to explore the remote southern islands.
How to experience: Head to Cossies Beach on Direction Island, one of the most popular beaches among visitors. The clear waters and beautiful sands will surely captivate you.
Lizard Island
Lizard Island in Australia is nestled in the azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef, offering an excellent opportunity to explore coral reefs and relax. Here, visitors can go snorkeling at several fantastic dive sites, including Cod Hole, where you can swim and admire the graceful movements of grey reef sharks and tropical fish. After a wonderful day underwater, you can return to the shoreline to enjoy a private outdoor picnic or savor freshly caught seafood.
How to experience: You can hike along the 4-kilometer trail to Cook's Look, where you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the island surrounded by blue whirlpools, making it an unforgettable experience.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island is located about a 90-minute drive south of Melbourne and is famous for its abundant wildlife. You can visit the Koala Conservation Centre to see koalas in their native habitat. Then, join a Wildlife Coast Cruises tour to explore one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies. At the Nobbies Centre, you can observe Australian fur seals, and finally, take a stroll along the boardwalk to enjoy the South Coast scenery and blowholes, concluding your day.
How to experience: Head to Phillip Island to watch the Penguin Parade, where you can see penguins jumping out of the sea and walking across the beach back to their burrows, an unforgettable experience.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is different from ordinary tourist destinations. Its unique wilderness, wildlife, and gourmet food are major features of the island. You can choose to join the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys' wilderness cruise to explore Bruny Island's wild coastline and see fur seals, dolphins, and passing whales along the coast. In the afternoon, you can visit Get Shucked Oyster Bar, Bruny Island Cheese Company, Bruny Island Premium Wines, and Bruny Island House of Whisky to try delicious food. If you want to stay closer to nature, you can book a cabin at Hundred Acre Hideaway, where you can enjoy 40.5 hectares of bushland, rainforest, and grassland right in front of you.
How to experience: Rent a car and leisurely explore all the wonderful spots around Bruny Island.
Moreton Island
Moreton Island is a holiday destination made entirely of sand, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing beach vacation. Staying at Tangalooma Island Resort, you can enjoy stunning views of Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains. A must-do experience is the Desert Safari tour, where you can slide down golden sand dunes. Additionally, the island offers numerous walking and hiking trails, including the Blue Lagoon tour and the more challenging but rewarding Tempest Mountain hike.
How to experience: Try snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, an artificial dive site that has become a habitat for various fish, dolphins, and dugongs.
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are located about 100 kilometers north of Darwin and are a unique tourist destination rich in indigenous culture and art. You can join a tour organized by AAT Kings, where you will be welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony upon arrival. You will then see Tiwi women demonstrating weaving skills and explaining the complex rituals related to Pukamani (funeral ceremonies). If you join the Tiwi Island Adventures, the fishing activities will be irresistible. The guide will take you fishing in an area with over 40 species of fish, and you will enjoy the stunning scenery here.
How to experience: If you travel between October and March, you can watch Australian Rules Football matches. Seven teams compete for the annual championship here.
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is characterized by its undulating terrain and lush pine trees. Despite its isolation in the ocean, it boasts a rich and storied history. Once notorious as a penal colony, it is now renowned for its beautiful scenery and proud residents, many of whom are descendants of convicts. The prisons in Kingston and the Arthurs Vale Historic Area still stand on the island. During your stay, you can swing your clubs at one of the few golf courses located in a World Heritage site, enjoy the elegant sport of golf, relax on the golden sands of Emily Bay Lagoon, or participate in a kayak tour to admire the island's massive basalt and sandstone cliffs.
How to experience: Hike or drive to the summit of Mount Pitt for a 360-degree panoramic view of Norfolk Island's stunning landscape.
