Australia holds a certain fascination for local and international travellers. It’s not the incredible wildlife, the perfect weather, and it’s not even how Australia knows it’s way around a BBQ necessarily. It’s the beautiful islands that scatter this great country, their stunning aesthetic making you feel like you are the only one who has witnessed this beauty. If you are heading down under this June or are a born and bred Aussie that hasn’t yet island-hopped, here are the top 5 islands in Australia to visit this June.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island needs no introduction to the Queensland community who are fortunate enough to be close to the beauty of this incredible island. You can plan a brief or long visit at Fraser Island, and make sure you get some travel insurance because the activities on this island are extensive and you want to do it all without hesitation. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island that covers over 120km, so don’t commit to running any laps of it just yet. Visitors are allowed to camp on the island and Lake Mckenzie and Lake Wabby are worth a visit when you arrive. If you’re looking for real estate in Brisbane, Fraser Island would be a few-hour drive and then a ferry away.
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is a fantastic place to visit, no matter what age you are. Another Queensland Island again, as they must make islands good in the subtropical climate of the South East. Hamilton Island is one of the islands that make up the Whitsundays and is very close to the great barrier reef if you want to extend your trip. Unlike other islands, you will see a sampling of almost all Australian wildlife here, including koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras and wallabies. You can visit Hamilton Island by yourself or as part of a tour group, so consider what will be best for you.
3. Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island can be found in South Australia, and over the years it has earned itself the reputation of being quite a luxurious experiences. There are six-star hotels in Kangaroo Island to be found, many of which offer panoramic views of this incredible island and its unique shape and terrain. You can expect to see more than just kangaroos too, with sea lions and rare birds known to live and thrive on this island. Be sure to visit Flinders Chase National Park when on the island, as there are penguin colonies to be found here and you won’t want to miss their march.
4. Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island has always been the first choice for those in the know, but in recent years, it’s the native Quokka (a small wallaby-like marsupial) that has made Rottnest Island so famous. Rottnest Island is the embodiment of what you imagine an island to be – white sands, secluded coves, and waters that are shallow and deep. Western Australia’s perfect weather also makes the island an ideal option year-round, and their beach culture has afforded the island some great maintenance measures to preserve the beauty of this natural site.
5. Phillip Island
Victoria’s Phillip Island is easy to access from Melbourne, making it a rather connected island that welcomes many visitors each day. Phillip Island is known to many for its amazing Penguin Parade which sees hundreds of penguins waddling into the sunset and around the compound each evening. You can also see the fur seals congregate throughout the day at Seal Rocks, which can be a lot of fun when you are as vocal as they are known to be. Compared to other islands, Phillip Island can feel a lot more like a beachside city than an island, so keep that in mind if you are looking for an idyllic island encounter.
Set the intention to make your way through this list of islands, and see the many states in Australia as you go. Researching these islands will go a long way in ensuring you have the right equipment and expectations to make this such a great trip away.
