11 Queensland islands perfect for a weekend escape

If you’re looking for ease, Hamilton Island is the most direct option for an easy island jaunt, with flights from many major cities touching down on the island's very own airport.

Far from being just a strip of sand with dreamy blue seas, there’s so much to see and do on and around here - whether you're taking a romantic weekend or bringing the kids. Here, cars are replaced by golf buggies, and they'll lead you to resort pools, quiet beaches, watersports, restaurants, shopping and even an 18-hole golf course.

Thrown in the mix are the back-to-nature experiences you'd expect from an island in the heart of the Whitsundays, like day trips to Whitehaven Beach or an extravagant afternoon exploring Heart Reef.

Accommodation ranges from the budget- and family-friendly up to adults-only and uber-exclusive, like qualia - named the world's best resort. 

Here’s how to spend 48 hours on Hamilton Island.

How to get there:

Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar fly direct to Hamilton Island from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Lady Elliot Island

Take an eco-escape Lady Elliot Island: this coral cay is so pristine and well protected, getting there via air is the only way.

Sitting 80 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, this natural oasis is teeming with incredible marine encounters. Part of a protected ‘Green Zone’, the 100% sustainable eco resort operates under a staunch sustainability pledge and renewable power generation. It means there are no in-room TVs, WiFi, radios, or telephones, and rooms are fan cooled. 

Lady Elliot is renowned for its turtle encounters, manta rays, birdlife, and is a snorkelling and diving paradise. Choose from a mixture of accommodation styles ranging from units and eco cabins to new glamping tents, all with the natural environment front and centre. 

If you can’t spend the whole weekend on this Queensland island, day trips are also available, including return flights, lunch, glass-bottom boat tour and snorkelling.

How to get there:

From interstate or overseas: Fly to the Gold Coast or Brisbane (you’ll need to transfer to Redcliffe, 30 mins drive). Daily flights to Lady Elliot Island operate from Brisbane (Redcliffe), Gold Coast, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

Orpheus Island

With resort guest numbers capped at 28 and a secluded position on one of the Great Barrier Reef’s best-kept-secrets, if you're after a luxurious Queensland island for a weekend escape, choose Orpheus Island.

It's an indulgent weekend away, but what price can you really put on being able to dive amongst 1,100 of the 1,500 species of marine life found on the reef? Or to indulge in an indigenous-inspired treatment at the Gwandalan Day Spa? Or to zip off to a private beach for a picnic or head off on a fishing trip? 

Using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, Orpheus Island Lodge is committed to keeping the island unspoiled. 100 percent powered by renewable energy since 2019, you'll find no plastic straws, but reusable water bottles and a focus on local sourcing. To top it off, the all-inclusive resort means most activities are all part of your accommodation charges. That’s snorkelling, fishing, island cruises, unlimited use of water equipment and WiFi in communal areas plus meals and drinks too. 

How to get there:

There are daily direct flights to Townsville from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Helicopter transfers to Orpheus Island depart daily at 2pm and return at 2:30pm (travel time 30 mins) at a cost of $350 per person each way.

Bedarra Island

There's a magical little spot nestled in the Family Group of islands off Mission Beach, and it goes by Bedarra.

In true secluded island form, there’s just ten waterfront villas hidden amongst 45 hectares of tropical rainforest - but the views from your private plunge pool will make it hard to leave. If you can pull yourself away, there's stand-up paddleboards and motorised dinghies to escape for a private beach picnic on an uninhabited island. Take a rainforest walk, play tennis or take advantage of the snorkelling and scuba diving trips available to guests.

By night, sink into a spot at the terrace restaurant and bar.

How to get there:

Daily boat launches depart from Mission Beach, which is a two hour drive from Cairns. It takes about 20-30 minutes to reach Bedarra Island by boat. Alternatively, helicopter transfers are available from either Cairns or Mission Beach. Contact your accommodation to arrange.

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Everyone needs to see K'gari at least once in their lives – even if just for the weekend.

Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage listing, the world’s largest sand island shadows Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast. And even if you’re not the camping and hiking type, you can still dip a toe in and experience what makes this place so special. Offering a resort experience with fully guided tours and more, Kingfisher Bay Resort is particularly great if you’re pressed for time.

For a more DIY adventure, hunker down in the nine comfortable cabins at Fraser Island Retreat. It’s a great base for exploration, just 200 metres from the eastern surf beach and close to the mod-cons of the Happy Valley township.

K'gari’s famed beaches, crystal-clear lakes and the island’s forests are waiting.

How to get there:

Fly from Brisbane or Sydney direct to Hervey Bay Airport (or drive approx four hours north of Brisbane) then drive to River Heads (20 mins south of Hervey Bay). If you intend on driving on the island, you’ll need to arrange 4WD hire.

The Kingfisher Bay Ferry has regular departures and returns daily.

Lizard Island

Say hello to the most northern island resort in Queensland's tropical north: Lizard Island.

With direct access to incredible snorkelling and diving sites, it’s the perfect teaser to the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef, with some pretty luxurious touches. Between the powder-white sand, day spa and total seclusion from the real world, this island resort needs to be on your weekend escape radar.

When you're not exploring beneath the water's surface, enjoy inclusions such as picnic hampers, SUPs and motorised dinghies for some island life fun. Or for an additional charge, take a Lizard Island Research Station tour, dive trip, game fishing or sunset wine and cheese cruise, then end your day with a private degustation experience just metres from the water’s edge.

How to get there:

Fly into Cairns, then hop on board a charter plane to travel one-hour over the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island - the perfect way to kick off your weekend escape.

Hayman Island

Hayman Island by InterContinental might be on the bucket list for many travellers, but it's also one of the Whitsundays’ most accessible luxury island escapes for short getaways. Especially if your taste runs on the decadent side.

From the opulence of the refurbished suites, rooms and private residences to the stunning natural landscapes and day spa, your hardest decision will be what to do first. Lounging by the pool offers a chance to recuperate, but if you're after more adventure, explore via underwater scooter or take a scenic seaplane flight. 

How to get there:

Fly to Hamilton Island on a direct flight from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. From there, it’s a quick seaplane (approx 15 mins) or heli flight (max 30kg soft bag luggage each), booked upon request. However, most guests will join the 60-minute luxury launch transfer and scenic tour, which meets all flights.

Fitzroy Island

Visiting Cairns? There are several Queensland islands within easy reach for a weekend escape.

Fitzroy Island flies under the radar compared to many other Great Barrier Reef islands, but once you visit, you'll wonder how on earth you’d never heard of it sooner.

Explore the fringing reef on a glass-bottom boat tour; snorkel straight off the calm, protected beach; or join an accredited PADI dive trip. Trek to spectacular vantage points on the island like Secret Garden and Nudey Beach - voted one of Australia's best beaches. There’s also a turtle rehabilitation centre which offers guided tours.

Accommodation comes in the form of a 4.5 star resort and camping ground.

How to get there:

Fly into Cairns and transfer to Cairns Marlin Marina via taxi (15 mins).

The Fitzroy Island Flyer departs at 8am, 11am and 1:30pm (travel time 45 mins); and returns at 9:30am, 12:15pm and 5pm. Day tours from Cairns are also available.

Green Island

Most people know Green Island for zippy day tours from Cairns, but its quick and easy access makes it a perfect Queensland island for a weekend escape. Replete with helmet dives, glass-bottom boat tours and snorkelling straight off the coral cay, it's an incredible starter pack for those exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

Like the idea of waving all those day-trippers goodbye? Book in for a night or two at the EcoCertified Green Island Resort instead. You’ll be free to join in nightly fish feeding and lay out on the coral-strewn beach to gaze up at the stars. Or, take a moonlight stroll with one of the rangers in the hope you’ll spot turtles nesting or hatching (during the season).

How to get there:

Fly into Cairns and transfer to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal via taxi (15 mins).

The Great Adventures fast catamaran transfer departs at 8:30am, 10:30am and 1pm (travel time 45 mins) and returns at between 9:15am – 9:45am, 12pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm. Transfers are included in room rates but bookings are essential.

Heli transfers are available from Cairns and Cairns Airport at an additional cost.

Moreton Island

If your spirit runs adventurous, Moreton Island is one of the most thrill-seeking island escapes you can take within a couple of hours of Brisbane.

Here you can hand-feed wild dolphins, sandboard down desert-like dunes, ride ATVs, camp without seeing another soul or go glamping if that’s more your style. There’s even an impressive trail of sunken shipwrecks to snorkel or dive right off the beach.

Tangalooma Island Resort is where most visitors end up thanks to its accessibility, facilities and huge range of accommodation options.

The world’s third largest sand island and a national park to boot, Moreton Island (outside of Tangalooma) is accessible only by 4WD. Permits apply for both vehicles and camping.

How to get there:

Fly to Brisbane then take the short drive to Port of Brisbane.

The MICAT Moreton Island Ferry departs Brisbane anywhere up to five times per day, depending on demand, reducing down to as little as once per day in quiet periods. The trip takes approximately 90 mins travel time.

The Tangalooma passenger ferry leaves from Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba (Brisbane) four times per day, arriving at the Tangalooma Jetty. The passenger ferry takes about 75 mins.

Just heading over for the day? You’ll need to book a casual day pass to Tangalooma Island Resort (no charge) as numbers are capped.

North Stradbroke Island

There aren’t many islands that please surfers as well as divers, hikers, and bona fide beach bums. But Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) delivers on all fronts, alongside a booming local food scene and rich Indigenous history too.

Start your day with beachside yoga or look out to spot dolphins as you walk the jaw-dropping Gorge Walk. Then sit on the headland and unroll a fresh parcel of fish and chips to really cap off those island vibes.

Here’s a 48-hour itinerary to help plan your trip.

How to get there:

Fly to Brisbane, then drive to Cleveland (approximately 40 mins).

Stradbroke Ferries’ car ferry runs every hour from 6am-5pm Monday to Sunday with slight variations on Friday and Sunday evenings (e.g. up until 7:30pm on Friday nights). Travel time is approx 45-50 mins.

Travelling without a car? A water taxi service runs seven days per week with bus connection once you reach the island. Water taxi travel time approx 25 mins.