Queenslands coastline is lined with magnificent islands many of them National Parks, which are set amongst the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. The Southern Great Barrier Reef Islands are set within the southern areas of the Great Barrier Reef and are great for diving. They include Heron Island, Wilson Island and Lady Elliot Island.
Heron Island is great for divers wishing to explore the beautiful coral around the island. The Heron Island Resort is on the northern side of the island, with the rest of the island being a National Park. Lady Elliott Island is a coral cay, which is perfect for divers and snorkellers of all levels. There is plenty of fabulous coral to see, and blowholes and shipwrecks to explore.
North off of the Whitsunday Coast, is the Cumberland Group of Islands. Brampton Island is part of the Cumberland group. Probably the most famous of all the Queensland Islands are the Whitsundays Coast Islands which include 74 different islands. Several of the islands include Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Long Island and Whitsunday Island.
Hayman Island is the northernmost Whitsunday Island and is only 4 square kilometres. There are a number of small coves and coral beaches that surround the island, making it a fantastic place for snorkelling and scuba diving.
On Hayman Island itself, there are also a couple of walking trails, which offer remarkable scenery and spectacular views. Whitsunday Island is the largest of all of the Whitsunday Islands. This being so there is no accommodation on the island, as it is all National Park. However, you can camp at several places on the island with Dugong, Joes, and Sawmill Beaches offering water supplies. More fabulous beaches cover the 'desert' island.
In Tropical North Queensland the islands continue, with the next major island being Orpheus Island, which is part of the Palm Group of Islands and home to magnificent National Park and fantastic wildlife. North again is Hinchinbrook, which is also home to a fabulous National Park. There are some fantastic bushwalks around the island, and plenty of wildlife to see.
The next group of islands are the family islands home to luxurious Bedarra Island. Nearby Dunk Island also has a resort. There are fantastic walking trails on Dunk Island through its magnificent rainforest. In Far North Queensland off of the coast from Cairns there are a number of islands from where you can visit the Great Barrier Reef. Many of the islands are National Parks where the only accommodation is camping which you will need a permit for.
Islands with resorts include Fitzroy Island and Lizard Island, off of the coast from Cooktown. The next group of islands are the Torres Strait Islands, off of the northern tip of the Cape York Peninsula.
Fitzroy Island is a continental island which features fabulous rainforests and nearby coral reefs. The beaches around Fitzroy Island are covered in dead coral, although there is one sandy beach on the island which is a 20 minute walk from the resort. Another must when you visit Fitzroy Island is to follow one of the fabulous walking trails around the island. The walks offer spectacular views across the island and the crystal clear sea. You also get the wander through the attractive rainforest, which covers the island.