The best Southern Great Barrier Reef islands you need to visit
List
By Isabella Quaid
If you want to know where to find colourful corals and amazing marine life, wriggle into your wettie (wetsuit for those unfamiliar), strap on your fins and follow our lead. We’ve uncovered the very best Southern Great Barrier Reef islands you need to visit ASAP – and why.
Wilson Island
Photo by @_markfitz
This new kid on the block has already been turning heads on the reef. Next-door neighbours with Heron Island, Wilson Island Resort brings rainforest, reef and pellucid waters – but there is so much to discover on this island.
Why it’s incredible: Home to just nine eco-tents, you'll be one of a maximum 18 guests on this island. Sustainable initiatives have fast-tracked Wilson Island to be one of Queensland's best eco-resorts, from use of battery and solar power to biodegradable bathroom amenities.
Perfect for: Solo and couple travellers looking for sweet solitude on a sustainable sub-tropical paradise.
How to get there: Wilson is accessible via a 30 minute boat ride to Heron. Travel to Heron by boat from the Gladstone Marina, or fly over the reef via a helicopter from Gladstone Airport.
Pumpkin Island
Ever rented an entire island to yourself? This is the place to do it.
Located 14 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon, this Southern Great Barrier Reef island is the perfect excuse to grab your friends and escape to paradise. Stay in the eco-friendly self-contained units, explore the island by kayak, snorkel and walks, and kick back to watch sunset from the beach bar.
Why it’s incredible: Every moment is a new adventure on Pumpkin Island, with so much to do - but it's a great guilt-free backdrop if your dream is to do nothing at all. Entirely wind and solar powered, Pumpkin Island is regarded as the first and only carbon positive island resort in Australia (achieving 150% carbon offset in 2017).
Perfect for: Getaways with family and friends, or a couples escape (you can rent individual cabins too). It's fast becoming a popular wedding spot, too.
How to get there: A quick 30-minute boat transfer from Yeppoon, or take to the skies and arrive like a rock star by chopper.
Lady Musgrave Island
Off the coast of 1770, Lady Musgrave Island is where you can camp without a resort guest in sight.
This protected pocket of water is like swimming in an ocean aquarium. Its calm waters are perfect for families and swimmers of all abilities to snorkel and explore the colourful reef - one of the most vivid you'll find along the Queensland coast.
You can take a day trip out to the island with several operators who provide the gear for you to snorkel and scuba. The more adventurous can secure a camping permit and pitch a tent on the island to truly escape and spend a night out on the reef. Campers need to be fully independent (bring all of your gear, including fresh water) as the only infrastructure on the island is a composting toilet.
Why it’s incredible: Where else in the world can you camp on a coral cay for less than $10 a night?
Perfect for: The protected coral lagoon is ideal for first-time snorkelers and families. Adventurous campers also love this island locale. Be sure to secure a camping permit in advance if you wish to pitch your tent during school holidays.
How to get there: 1770reef Great Barrier Reef Eco Tours offers day trips and island transfers from the town of 1770. And, Lady Musgrave Experience departs from Bundaberg.
North West Island
Photo by @azgilligan
This remote coral cay 75 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone is the stuff of dreams for adventurous campers wanting to pitch a tent and surround themselves with nothing but nature.
Forget your thousand-thread-count sheets and day spas, North West Island is all about snorkelling and enjoying the simpler things in life. Between spotting turtles and watching the bird life, you can catch your dinner straight from the ocean.
Be sure to check out the zoning regulations: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Government Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing before you leave home.
Why it’s incredible: There aren't many day-trippers out here, so campers generally have the island to themselves. The fish really bite out here, too.
Perfect for: You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to camp on North West Island, but you’ll have to be fully independent. Pack plenty of fresh water and a sense of adventure (just brush up on these beach camping tips first).
How to get there: Curtis Ferry Services offers regular island drop-offs from Gladstone right to your beach campsite on North West Island.
Lady Elliot Island
Located 46 nautical miles off the coast of Bundaberg, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is one of Queensland's biggest eco-tourism success stories. Not just a haven for divers from around the world who want to swim with huge manta rays, turtles and sharks; Lady Elliot attracted the documentary cameras of the legendary Sir David Attenborough, who simply couldn’t resist its thriving coral ecosystem.
Accommodation ranges from beachside suites to glamping tents. It’s no six-star resort, but you’re not here to sit in your room when you have the reef within easy reach.
Why it’s incredible: From its eco-credentials to the marine life that call these waters home, there are more than a few reasons why you should pick Lady Elliot Island for your next island escape (plus even more that you didn't know).
Perfect for: First-timers who want to snorkel in the protected lagoon, professional divers seeking some of the Great Barrier Reef's most flourishing sites, and families with kids keen to learn (sign up for the Junior Reef Rangers).
How to get there: Carbon-neutral flights are included with accommodation packages, departing from the Gold Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe), Hervey Bay, and Bundaberg. Make sure you bag a window seat as the views over the reef are amazing.
Heron Island
Divers and snorkellers have a lot to love about Heron Island, located 89 kilometres north-east of Gladstone. This coral cay packs a punch with 16 superb dive sites within 15 minutes of the island. There’s no need for long boat transfers to the reef, either: you can literally swim off the beach and drift snorkel above colourful coral.
But it’s not all diving and snorkelling at this island paradise. You can easily reach your inner nirvana at the on-island spa with a relaxing massage or treatment. If you have kids, plan your visit around school holidays where they can join the Junior Reef Ranger program to learn about the island’s delicate ecosystem and marine life.
Accommodation ranges from family rooms through to romantic suites with reef views. Learn to dive, hire a kayak, enjoy a picnic on the beach or take in a romantic sunset cruise – there are oodles of activities to keep you or your kids busy.
Why it’s incredible: Heron Island is home to some of the best dive sites on the reef (and in the world), and it’s perfectly accessible for a long weekend getaway.
Perfect for: This island escape is ideal for holidaymakers wanting to see the true beauty of the reef with a few creature comforts included. Families will love the kids program too.
How to get there: Heron Island is easily accessible via ferry transfer departing from Gladstone Marina, or take in the views from above and catch a seaplane or helicopter from the airport to kick off your stay.
Great Keppel Island
A quick hop across the bay from Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island has 17 pristine white-sandy beaches perfect for lounging, sandcastle building and beach cricket.
No matter the size of your tribe, Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Great Keppel Island Holiday Village offer everything from tents, cabins and beach houses to suit every budget and need. The protected bays provide safe swimming year-round and are perfect for kayaking, snorkelling, water-skiing, wake-boarding and tubing.
Follow the locals and head to the bar at sunset from the deck at The Island Bar and Bistro.
Why it’s incredible: An affordable island holiday that has plenty of beaches to explore, and Great Barrier Reef experiences at your fingertips.
Perfect for: Families, romantics and couples who are looking for an affordable island escape that offers fewer bells and whistles and more value for money.
How to get there: Join a ferry transfer, hire a private transfer, or take a guided sailing tour to this island gem. Your toes will be in the sand within 30 minutes of departing Yeppoon.
*DON’T FORGET: Some of the islands have seasonal camping closures. Check out the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing’s website for island updates and online permit information.
