Discover the best family-friendly islands in Queensland

For an island that’s as close to nature as you can be without having flippers, scales or fins, this family-friendly island is sure to make your little nature lovers flip.

Lady Elliot Island hovers off the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It’s home to many marine creatures throughout the year, from whales to manta rays, but the all-round family favourite sea turtle is a regular local. If your kids know their turtles, they’re likely to spot Green, Hawksbill and possibly even a Loggerhead turtle here - and you can time your visit with turtle nesting or hatching season to witness nature's magic. 

The eco-resort offers a range of family-friendly accommodation and activities run by marine biologists, so your little Attenboroughs will feel right at home here.

Heron Island

Nearby, off the coast of Gladstone, lies Heron Island. A place so special that Sir David himself has pulled on some flippers and snorkelled the reefs he has claimed as his “most magical place on earth.”

With snorkelling suited to beginners and beaches buzzing with fish, turtles, and rays, there’s something for every little sea lover. But to discover the inner workings of the reef, the marine life that calls it home, and how we can do more to protect it, enlist your future reef custodians in the Heron Island Junior Reef Rangers program for guided lessons with resident marine biologists.

Did we forget to mention that both Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island are both bird nests too? The nesting grounds of thousands of migratory sea birds in fact. And while it can get a little noisy (earplugs are provided in-room), to feel the beat of nature’s breeding ground and to see its circle of life turn, this is one family holiday your little explorers will never forget.

Family-friendly island on the Fraser Coast

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Naturally, the world’s largest sand island has no shortage of places to tote a tiny bucket and spade. One of the best family-friendly islands in Queensland, there's an unforgettable K'gari adventure waiting whether you prefer to rough it beach camping or curl up in a resort at the end of the day. 

Arrive by the Kingfisher Bay passenger ferry and get ready to explore over 250 kms of shoreline sitting amidst the Great Sandy National Park, where there are plenty of places to build an epic sandcastle. Or, whip out the boogie board to slide down dunes straight into the cooling waters of Lake Waddy.

But for the perfect place to float, Eli Creek – just behind 75 Mile Beach – is a shaded oasis of pure crystal bliss pumping out an incredible 80 million litres of freshwater a day. Be sure to include a visit to nearby Maheno Shipwreck to impress your little seafarers, and dip in the crystalline waters of Lake McKenzie with its pure silica sand and ombre turquoise-to-sapphire waters.

Here's a family holiday guide to get the planning started.

Family-friendly islands near Brisbane

Moorgumpin (Moreton Island)

Just a short ferry trip from Brisbane, Moorgumpin (Moreton Island) is known for its abundance of sand adventures and famous shipwrecks visitors can explore by snorkelling or kayak.

Though the magic continues into the evening, when your kids have the chance to hand-feed wild bottlenose dolphins. Every day around dusk, an inquisitive bunch of dolphins gather to enjoy human interaction - they only receive a very small portion of their daily fish allowance to preserve their natural hunting abilities, which if you’re lucky, you might get to witness. They like to show off and often race off to catch a fish and then bring it into shore to show everyone how clever they are.

While you could easily spend a week, here's how to do 48 hours on Moreton Island.

Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

A little under an hour from Brisbane on Stradbroke Island Ferries, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is a local family favourite. 

Another of the world's largest sand islands, there's plenty to do on land and water, lots of scampering wildlife, and a rich Indigenous culture to get to know while you're here. 

During whale season, Point lookout is one of the best places to spot them. You can also catch a glimpse of turtles, rays and dolphins if you take the family-friendly North Gorge Walk. For a refreshing dip (and to make good use of all that sand), Amity Point and Cylinder Beach are both suitable for kids.

Family-friendly islands near Yeppoon

Great Keppel Island

Holidays how they used to be when you were a kid. Remember that barefoot freedom? Living in swimmers, swimming ‘til dusk, meeting new friends at the beach, and how holidays felt so much longer when you were little, too.

Let the nostalgia kick in, and let your kids make their own fond holiday memories at Great Keppel Island. This is the largest of the Keppel Islands off Yeppoon, and an island spoiled for beaches, with 17 to choose from. Your kids will love Monkey Beach – by name and by nature; the snorkelling is great for beginners.

Pumpkin Island

Also just a 30-minute boat ride from Keppel Bay Marina lies Pumpkin Island, an intimate slice of paradise that feels a million miles away from the pace of daily life. With no phones or TV, this perfect patch provides plenty of time to create family memories and make friends with Mother Nature.

Spend your days enjoying safe snorkelling with the kids right off the beach, with beautiful coral and abundant reef fish (or free glass bottom kayak or stand-up paddle board). Come evening, relax by a campfire with a drink from the cocktail bar, watching the sun set over the ocean while the kids roast marshmallows.

You can rent your own cottage, or make it an extended family trip and rent the entire island for up to 34 guests.

Family-friendly islands in The Whitsundays

Hamilton Island

When it comes to family-friendly islands in Queensland, the famous Whitsundays takes the crown. 74 emerald islands dot the sapphire-coloured waters of this region that can be reached from Airlie Beach or by flying direct to Hamilton Island, home to the region’s second airport outside of Proserpine.

Hamilton Island has everything you could want from an island escape. Choose from plenty of accommodation options to suit a range of budgets, from Palm Bay Bungalows to the Reef View Hotel, and private luxury homes and boats. Island transport is by way of a golf buggy, or take the rambling bus for an equally fun family ride.

With resort pools and the cooling waters of the Coral Sea to choose from, swimming is a staple, but there is also mini-golf, tennis, go-karting and breakfast with koalas to fit in too. “Hammo” as it’s affectionately known by locals, is also a great base for day trips to Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef and the other islands connected by the Cruise Whitsunday ferry network.

Here's how to nail a holiday to Hamilton Island with the kids.

Daydream Island

One daydream you can make a reality is a family holiday to Daydream Island Resort. It might sport a smaller footprint than some of the bigger islands in the Whitsunday group, but Daydream has a big heart when it comes to reef education and conservation.

The resort is home to a ‘Living Reef’ – a 200m man-made tank that wraps itself around the main resort building. It replicates real-life reef conditions, flushing 1.5 million litres of seawater in to support itself - and is a place kids of all ages can learn and appreciate the Great Barrier Reef. Kids are also invited to go behind the scenes to join marine biologists in learning about corals, crustaceans and climate change. Hands-on activities include feeding the stingrays and fish.

When you're not making fishy friends, there's sprawling pools, activities, dining and day tours to keep you busy. 

Family-friendly islands near Townsville

Magnetic Island

Matchbox cars are something of a reality on Magnetic Island, where Mini Mokes become the most popular mode of transport once you take the 20-minute ferry cruise from Townsville.

Home to one of Australia’s largest colonies of koalas in the wild, beautiful bays to bathe in, snorkelling trails and hiking trails, plus abundant wildlife add to the easygoing natural vibe that places “Maggie” in the hearts of those that visit.

Here's how to do Maggie with the kids.

Family-friendly islands near Cairns

Green Island

There are over 300 sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef, but only one with a rainforest: and it's aptly named Green Island. 

Further north and just a short 45-minute cruise from Cairns, the national park known as Green Island is a small island surrounded by coral reef that can be visited as a day trip or a longer stay. Little snorkellers will discover an array of marine life and coral. And when they tire of being in the sea, a 20-minute walk around the island (yes, that small) will have them finding a rainforest twitching with birds.

If you're holidaying with a toddler for the first time, Green Island is a great bet for a good time - but there's all kinds of adventures for young and old. 

Fitzroy Island

Nearby neighbour Fitzroy Island is similarly only a 45-minute cruise from Cairns. 

Bigger in footprint than Green Island, with more beaches and rocky outcrops to explore, Fitzroy is equally beguiling for its easy-to-snorkel fringing reef and abundant marine life that call these warm tropical waters home.

Don’t be confused by the name of Fitzroy Island’s famous beach – Nudey Beach – it’s not for nudists. The winner of Australia’s best beach amongst its many accolades, it will welcome your little beach buffs with open arms.

One of the best activities on the island is a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where you can see how the crew rescues and cares for sick and injured turtles. 

Lizard Island

Been dreaming of an emerald isle in a sea of azure blue, ringed by white sand beaches and sitting right on the Great Barrier Reef? Then we’ve found your family’s happy place. This is a splurge holiday that starts with a scenic flight from Cairns, but Lizard Island is regarded as one of Australia’s best. While the resort is more geared to adults, children over the age of 10 are welcomed at times throughout the year - and by far the best digs for a family is The House, it's newest luxury offering. 

Snorkelling, clear kayaks, stand up paddleboarding, swimming through clouds of fish and hovering over coral is all part of the fun. It’s all-inclusive, so you can relax and just concentrate on spending time with the ones you love.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these family-friendly resorts in Queensland for your next holiday together.