Australia might be best known for its trendy cities and vast, desolate Outback, but some of its best travel experiences can be found on its 8,222 islands. Here are 10 to consider when planning a holiday.
1. Fraser Island, QueenslandWhy go? To explore the largest sand island in the world
With its vanilla dunes, endless beaches, rainforest and freshwater lakes, Fraser Island (pictured top), also known as K’gari, can at times feel surreal. A 75-mile stretch of sand doubles as a runway for light aircraft and a sizable chunk of the island forms the Great Sandy National Park. Wildlife and marine life, including turtles, dugongs and humpback whales, is prolific. The only way to drive its sand tracks is by 4WD (you’ll need a permit for the National Park) or trail bike and there are plenty of walking trails. If you only do one thing swim or paddle in Lake Makenzie, where a silica sand basin is filled by rainwater. When not tubing and swimming in lakes just marvel at it all. K’gari means “paradise”.
Wildlife Worldwide’s 11-day Wildlife of Australia’s Nature Coast holiday includes three nights at Kingfisher Bay resort, renowned for its conservation work. From £2,845pp including flights (01962 302086; wildlifeworldwide.com).
2. Lizard Island, QueenslandWhy go? Seclusion on the Great Barrier Reef
It’s an hour’s flight north of Cairns but Lizard Island may as well be a million miles away. Tucked between the north Queensland coast and the outer barrier reefs that line the edge of the continental shelf, Lizard is home to an island resort, a small camping area close to a network of walking tracks and the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation, which is open to visitors and volunteers. Cod Hole is a bucket-list dive site and the snorkelling is superb. Bush walks lead through eucalypt and acacia woodlands, paperbark swamps and mangroves. The best views are from Cook’s Look, from where the explorer scanned the ocean for a navigable passage through the reef. Hour-long flights depart twice daily from Cairns. Unless you book a resort package, access is by private boat or plane charter only.
Kuoni has an 11-night Luxury Reef and Sydney trip combining stays in Cairns and Sydney with four nights at Lizard Island Resort on a full-board basis. From £8,350pp including domestic and international flights (0800 088 5314; kuoni.co.uk).
Source link : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/australia-best-island-holidays/
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Publish date : 2023-05-15 03:00:00
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