Recently I attended a wedding on an island. Not a BIG island mind you (it was Fraser island, in Lakes Entrance) – but it was epically beautiful and it got me thinking about island holidays throughout Australia. In Oz we’re surrounded by beautiful islands and island resorts that provide people with options for a heap of activities, with entertainment, and fun in the sun. Whether you are visiting Australia or you are travelling from within, one of the most appealing things about an island holiday, or even a weekend getaway or day-visit, is how it so effortlessly allows for an escape. Your destination could be an entire world away, but it will never surpass the sense of distance you feel when you can actually see both ends of the landmass. That is when you know you’ve escaped. Here are a few of the most interesting island holidays and quick getaways in Australia…
Cockatoo Island
Located on the Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is one of the most exciting locations to visit in New South Wales. Thanks to its renowned history, there are plenty of tours, workshops, sites and locations that will enhance your understanding of Australia’s heritage. There are events all year round, including festivals, live performances, screenings, and boats for hire. On top of this, it is extremely kid-friendly. It makes room for school camping, child care groups, and fun activities that will keep kids sufficiently occupied while you indulge in an activity of your own choice. Essentially, this is an island for learning and experiences.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is one of Australia’s most acclaimed holiday destinations. Situated off the coast of New South Wales, this island enjoys the exotic and relaxed atmosphere that you might associate more with places like Tahiti or Fiji. The nature – from gorgeously green forests to blissfully blue swimming spots – is breathtaking at every turn, while the Lord Howe Island accommodation provides all the modern day facilities you could ask for during a vacation. The popular resorts here, including the Pinetrees Lodge make perfect bases from which to launch your wonderful island holiday.
Hamilton Island
An action-packed resort, Hamilton Island is the most popular of the Whitsunday Islands inhabiting Queensland waters. Hamilton dedicates itself completely to its visitors with its range of restaurants, clubs and bars. It even has an 18-hole golf course. While this is quite a commercial island, it leaves a lot of room for the more leisurely activities as well.
Kangaroo Island
This South Australian island is crawling with Australian wildlife, from kangaroos and koalas to numerous species of sea creatures. If you’re not interested in animals, Kangaroo Island might not be for you. However, if you’re willing to risk bumping into the occasional sea lion, it will undoubtedly be worth it. This is a simply stunning Australian island with a great selection of eateries and a sensational display of nature.
So, here are some selections of four vastly different islands which, I would pretty much describe like this in summary: the activities island, the exotic escape island, the leisure island, and the wildlife island. There’s obviously heaps more to each island but, in order to understand your potential holiday, I guess you need to consider the reason for its popularity. Why endure being stuck on a tour of a colonial shipwreck with random people… when your true interests lie in the areas of native wildlife or bar crawling with your own friends? So consider carefully when you’re adding to your bucket list! Hopefully you’ll find yourself in the ideal place on your next adventure.
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