Dial up the romance at the best island getaways in Queensland for couples

There are over 900 islands off the Queensland coastline, and every one of them is worth exploring. Whether you’re one for five star wellness retreats or pared-back camping off the grid, couples looking for an island getaway are spoiled for choice. 

From sunrises over white sand beaches, to lazy mornings wandering beneath a rainforest canopy, an island escape is the perfect opportunity to relax and reconnect. When was the last time you got on island time?

For paired-up Adventurers

Lady Musgrave Island

Renowned as a haven for diving and snorkelling experiences, Lady Musgrave’s three-level eco-resort also offers one of the most unique sleeping arrangements in Australia. If you can’t get enough of deep-sea discovery, HQ will let you bunk in the underwater observatory so you can spend the night surrounded by marine life. The island’s overarching ethos is built on sustainable connections to the reef, and what better way to do it?

Lady Elliot Island

A picturesque coral cay off the coast of Bundaberg, award-winning eco escape Lady Elliot Island is home of the majestic manta ray – the perfect introduction for what this glorious island has to offer. A veritable haven of underwater delights, Lady Elliot promises underwater encounters with turtles, tropical fish and, of course, giant manta rays, making it a perfect getaway for divers and snorkellers of all experience levels. 

K’gari (Fraser Island) 

Awah with rugged natural beauty, K’gari (Fraser Island) is an integral part of Australia’s cultural heritage. The largest sand island in the world, K’gari boasts countless unique experiences – from the iconic Champagne Pools and Lake Mackenzie to 75 Mile beach and the vibrant coloured sand cliffs known as the Cathedrals. 

Whether you decide to camp or opt for the creature comforts of Kingfisher Bay Resort, make time to experience one of Queensland’s most unique islands.

Hinchinbrook Island 

One for the truly intrepid, Hinchinbrook Island offers 399km2 of flourishing national parkland including mountainous ranges, pristine beaches, and miles upon miles of hiking trails…and that’s it. There are no hotels or spa experiences on Hinchinbrook Island, just you, your love and the terrain – with every inch worth discovering with your better half.

Soak up some quality time

Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

An island getaway is never out of reach if you’re based in South East Queensland. A home away from home for many Brisbane dwellers, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is the kind of laid-back island that invites visitors to immediately get on island time. Expect no hatted restaurants or deluxe beachside villas, just acres of untouched wilderness and some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. And all within a few hours’ drive of Brisbane city. 

Magnetic Island

If variety is the spice of any relationship, Magnetic Island will let you choose your own adventure. Between jet skiing around Horseshoe Bay, rambling through military ruins in search of the local koalas, and snorkelling crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect mix of adrenalin and downtime on your getaway to Magnetic Island.

Green Island

A lot of couples visit Green Island as a day trip from Cairns, but if you’re in need of some quality down time you can book a room at the island resort and have your transfer included in the rate. Though small, the island has everything you need for a relaxing getaway punctuated with simple pleasures. 

Bedarra Island

Imagine stripping away every distraction and disturbance of modern living. That’s the reality of getaways to Bedarra Island. Operating with a strict cap of just 20 visitors at a time, couples are guaranteed privacy even when the island is at max capacity. Each of the island’s villas offer a unique experience tucked into tropical rainforest, and blessed with breathtaking views of the ocean. Being so perfectly situated in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Bedarra naturally offers plenty of island activities for your entertainment, but no one will blame you for passing on all of it in favour of a walk on the beach and a sleep in. 

Thursday Island

A short flight from Cairns and a picturesque ferry ride from adjacent Horn Island lands you on Thursday Island in the heart of the Torres Strait. Where most island getaways would be selected according to a certain season, Thursday Island is best explored during the Winds of Zenadth, a four-day cultural festival where the various island communities in the Torres Strait come together to celebrate and preserve traditional dance, song, art and ceremony. 

Indulgent experiences

Orpheus Island

An idyllic blueprint of a tropical island, Orpheus Island invites you to unwind and fully immerse yourself in island living. About halfway between Cairns and Townsville, Orpheus Island is surrounded by coral reefs teeming with green turtles, bull rays and over a thousand varieties of tropical fish – so snorkelling and diving is an absolute must. The Island’s only resort is tucked into a bay fringed with palm trees, overlooking a shore of Queensland’s famous white sand. If all this weren’t enough, the island is only accessible via helicopter so your getaway begins with a breathtaking birds eye tour. 

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island’s six star qualia Resort is so much more than a luxury holiday in the Whitsundays. Between the resort’s exclusive private villas, vast infinity pool overlooking the private beach, award-winning dining options and the bliss of a Bularri Yarul stone massage at the luxury spa, qualia’s ‘adults only’ policy makes for an unforgettable (and blissful) couples escape. You could check your phone, but you won’t want to.

Wilson Island 

Of course, sometimes even the most secluded villa isn’t far enough. For a completely private escape, journey to Wilson Island south of the reef for timeout in the middle of one of the world’s natural wonders. The safari-style tents afford all the creature comforts of modern living while simultaneously immersing guests in the natural splendour of the island, with the Great Barrier Reef literally at your doorstep. 

Long Island WYS (Elysian Retreat) 

Covered mostly in national parkland, Long Island is the Whitsundays’ premier oasis. Sprawling with native flora and fauna, this untouched paradise has over 17km of walking trails, but it’s down the southern tip that couples unwind at the boutique Elysian Retreat. Complete with private chef, this award-winning eco-haven offers exclusive access to a private cove ideal for reef swimming and snorkelling with tropical fish. The retreat maxes out at 20 guests but can be hired on a sole-occupancy basis for absolute privacy.

Haggerstone Island

Ever wanted to go completely off grid? Stretch the definition of a ‘couple’s getaway’ to its absolute limit and escape to Haggerstone Island. From your journey to the island via jet boat, to dinners of freshly caught seafood and island-grown produce, every aspect of a getaway on Haggerstone has been carefully designed to connect guests to the landscape. And if you’ve ever wanted to see a turtle up close, Haggerstone is home to one of the largest green turtle rookeries in the world.