10 Unbelievably Stunning Queensland Islands
Moreton Island
As one of Australia's biggest sand islands, Moreton Island is the perfect weekend getaway for the adventure-inclined. Located just 90 minutes from Brisbane by boat, this unspoilt island has only sand roads and minimal services, making it the ultimate destination for a tech-free weekend.
After you've spent Saturday hiking and feeding dolphins, spend a lazy Sunday snorkelling and four-wheel driving along Moreton Island's sandy beaches.
Fitzroy Island
Wildlife lovers, this one's for you. Located just 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is home to six of the world's seven species of sea turtles. Depending on the time of year, you can swim with the turtles in the island's turquoise waters, take a tour through the island's turtle rehabilitation centre, or even watch the baby turtles hatch on the beach. Cute!
Once you've seen some turtles and had a snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, spend the rest of the weekend kayaking, walking through the rainforest, or relaxing by the beach.
Magnetic Island
Named for the effect the island had on Captain Cook's compass as he sailed by in 1770, Magnetic Island is a must-see for history buffs. With a mix of historical Indigenous sites with ancient cave paintings, as well as European forts dating back to World War II dotted around the island, walking through the Magnetic Island National Park is like walking through history. Plus, you'll find plenty of pretty places to stop for a cheeky panorama pic.
Once you've had your fill of hiking and history, kick back on the beach or on a twilight sailing tour. Not a bad way to spend the weekend!
Hinchinbrook Island
For those wanting to explore nature, head straight to Hinchinbrook Island. Full of lush rainforests and surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, it's easy to spend an entire long weekend snorkelling and hiking here. Make sure you check out Zoe Falls, which boasts a natural infinity pool.
As the biggest island on the Reef, you can get to Hinchinbrook Island via boat from Cardwell, which is about halfway between Cairns and Townsville. With so much to see and explore here – and the only way to get around is by foot or via kayak – you might want to stay for a long weekend!
Hamilton Island
Can't decide whether you want an adventure getaway or just some time to relax? Hamilton Island has it all. Go diving on the Great Barrier Reef or cuddle up to a koala; relax by the pool or get pampered in the spa – whatever your speed, you'll find plenty to do on the biggest Whitsunday island.
With direct flights from major cities on the east coast, getting here is pretty easy too.
Hook Island
Known as the place to dive and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, Hook Island is the perfect weekend escape for adventure seekers. This is the perfect place for those who want to spend a weekend camping and exploring its pristine waters.
To get here, fly to Prosperine's Whitsunday Coast Airport and take a short ferry from Airlie Beach.
Long Island
Another of the stunning Whitsunday Islands, Long Island is the perfect place for those wanting a more active holiday. With over 13km of walking tracks that form a part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park, Long Island is a great place to adventure and explore nature.
If you want to turn up the adventure dial even more, spend the day sailing, diving, waterskiing, and paragliding around this gorgeous island getaway. Just hop on a flight to Proserpine and let a 20min ferry from Airlie Beach take you the rest of the way.
Fraser Island
If you love camping, rainforests, and exploring shipwrecks, make Fraser Island your next weekend trip.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Fraser Island is the world's biggest sand island, boasting 120km of remarkable sandy beaches, hundreds of freshwater lakes and swimming spots, beautiful-coloured cliffs, and tall rainforest inlets. And a quick 90-minute flight from Sydney to Hervey Bay – followed by a short ferry ride to the island – will get you there.
Heron Island
If you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet, head straight to Heron Island. Located in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, this island is open exclusively for guests, not day trippers. But make sure you check the ferry schedule – boats to Heron Island from Gladstone run only a few days a week.
This tiny island is only 800m long and 300m wide, but it's famous for its biodiversity. Home to more than 900 different species of fish, as well as the famous Green Sea Turtles, Heron island is the ultimate getaway for those looking to be at one with nature.
Orpheus Island
If you're wanting a relaxing, luxurious weekend away, Orpheus Island is for you. Surrounded by turquoise waters, white sand beaches and green rainforest, this island is all about chilling out in nature and indulging in good food and wine.
Oh, and did we mention you get here via a private 90min helicopter flight from Cairns.
Useful links:
MARKING OFF OUR #1 BUCKET LIST (Great Barrier Reef)
Today's episode is a very special one for many reasons: We completed the longest travel journey of our lives, rode in our first helicopter, saw the Great Barrier Reef from the sky, and we finally marked Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef off of our bucket list!
Thank you PADI and Queensland Tourism Board for making this dream a reality!
Try FareDrop:
Travel vlog 637 | Heron Island, Australia | Country #91/100 | Filmed June 2019
Music in this episode:
“Lottery (Midnight Cycler Remix)”
“Mood Ring”
“Redux”
“Sacudir”
“Eighties Kid”
“Can U Relax”
“Dress Code: Black”
**All from Epidemic Sound. Download these for free:
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Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, we got married June 2013 and quickly caught the travel bug! We started “travel hacking” & finally decided we wanted to travel for one year. After 2 years of saving $ and over 2 million miles and points, we sold our cars and apartment and left home January 10, 2016. We started this YouTube channel to share our experiences with friends and family, then decided we really liked vlogging and traveling! So we extended our 1 year trip to now FOUR years :) Now we have a goal of traveling to 100 countries before 2020! We are incredibly thankful to do something we love every day. :)
Baby Turtles on Heron Island
January marks the beginning of turtle hatching season on Heron Island Australia. Find out more about the experiences and attractions in this video at
TOP 10 GLADSTONE Attractions (Things to Do & See)
Best places to visit in Gladstone - Australia, an east-coast city in Gladstone Region, Queensland. Gladstone known for its popular tourist attractions such as East Shores Water Park, Tondoon Botanic Gardens and Auckland Hill Lookout.
Others recommended places to visit in Gladstone is Spinnaker Park, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum, Round Hill Lookout, Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Gecko Valley WineryReg Tanna Park, Gladstone Maritime Museum, Stockland Gladstone Shopping Centre, etc.
Things to do or where to go list in Gladstone are completely describe in this video. Hope you can gain more information about Gladstone - Queensland before traveling to this city.
Christchurch Tourist Attractions: 10 Top Places to Visit
Planning to visit Christchurch? Check out our Christchurch Travel Guide video and see top most Tourist Attractions in Christchurch.
Top Places to visit in Christchurch:
Christchurch Priory Church, Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Mudeford Quay, Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch Quay, Avon Beach, Red House Museum & Gardens, Highcliffe Castle, Snowtrax, Christchurch Castle
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Fitzroy Island and Great Barrier Reef: Snorkel and GoPro
Fitzroy Island and Great Barrier Reef: Snorkel Trip
Song Boys and Diamond Rainbow Arabia Without You
A family holiday on the Great Barrier Reef
Take the family for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and watch the kids' excitement as they snorkel the crystal-clear water and come face-to-face with brightly coloured coral, turtles, fish and marine life.
Heron Island is surrounded by shallow waters, with reef right off the beach and is just one of the many family friendly locations on the Great Barrier Reef.
Plan a family holiday on the reef :
Best places to visit
Best places to visit - Darwin (Australia) Best places to visit - Slideshows from all over the world - City trips, nature pictures, etc.
Wilson Island - A day trip from Heron Island
Wilson Island is a small coral cay that is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended. Those that are drawn to Wilson Island will enjoy the natural beauty of our Great Barrier Reef island, its seclusion and the freedom from modern-day living are part of the appeal.
Holiday travel video guide for Gladstone, Queensland Australia
We decided to experience a couple of the diverse natural wonders of nature in the Gladstone region.
Gladstone is where you can get back to nature and connect with your surroundings. The reef islands within the region are true coral cays and there is some great fishing to be enjoyed as well.
In this travel video guide we visit Heron Island, do some barrumundi fishing and take a day trip out to Lady Musgrave Island.
For more information on some of the great experiences that we featured please visit the websites listed below.
Gladstone Information Centre
Heron Island
Fish Awoonga
Lake Awoonga Caravan Park
Lady Musgrave Island Reef Cruises
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