An estimated 8,000 islands are included within the marine borders that surround the earth’s surface of Australia, which is surrounded by water on all sides.
They might be enormous expanses of land for example Tasmania, which represents about the same size as Ireland, or they can be rocky islets that become submerged as the tide comes in. Tasmania is the largest island in the group.
The area down under is home to several islands, many of which serve as desirable vacation destinations and draw tourists from across the world. The islands that makeup Australia are not only full of surprises thanks to their unusual geological features, but also their flora and wildlife.
The finest of the bunch provide experiences that you won’t be able to discover anywhere else, such as the powder-soft shores of Whitehaven Beach and the penguin procession on Phillip Island.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island, which can be found just off the coast of Tasmania’s southeast coast, is a well-liked option for a day trip for tourists touring Australia’s biggest island. The island’s most notable natural feature is the thin isthmus that runs through the middle of it and connects North Bruny with South Bruny.
The Trugani steps are a sharp wooden stairway that goes up to a monument to the island’s ancient inhabitants. These steps may be found around halfway along the narrow piece of land known as the “Neck.” After mounting the 279 steps, you will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas in every direction.
The beaches that front the Tasman Sea have dramatic dolerite rocks as well as rock formations that add to the drama of the area. On the other side of the island, the protected channel side, there are abundant options for boating and fishing.
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is a sanctuary for the native animals that are indigenous to Australia. It may be found in northeastern Queensland, just off the coast of the Townsville city. Over fifty percent of the island is protected as a national park, which offers a safe haven to a variety of wildlife, including wild koalas and wallabies.
The magnetic effect that the island had on Captain Cook’s ship’s compass inspired him to call it “Maggie.” In addition to its popularity for snorkeling due to its coral reefs, “Maggie” is also well-known for its fishing.
Because it has over 20 beaches dotted around its coastline, many people visit the island for the sole purpose of unwinding and basking in the sun. The local population, the majority of which commutes to Townsville or serves the needs of the tourism industry, must feel as though they are in a dream when they return to such a beautiful island.
Christmas Island
Christmas Island is positioned further out from the Australian mainland than the majority of Australia’s other islands, although it is closer to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. The island was given its name in 1615 on Christmas Day, but it did not become significantly inhabited before the late 1800s.
Today, the island is home to a population that represents a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including Malaysians, Chinese, and Indians in addition to Australians.
The island is also famous for the incredible biological variety that it contains. The majority of the flora and fauna that can be found on Christmas Island are native to the region, and the majority of the island, over sixty percent, is preserved as national parkland.
The red crab of Christmas Island is most likely the indigenous species that brings the most attention to the island. Around this time every year, the yearly mass migration of red crabs to the ocean is said to be one of nature’s finest wonders. This migration takes place in November.
Phillip Island
Because of its advantageous location in close proximity to the metropolis of Melbourne, Phillip Island continues to draw in excess of three million visitors annually. The primary allure is that visitors can observe penguins in the environment in which they naturally live.
Every day at twilight, people go to the amphitheater perched on top of Summerland Beach to catch a glimpse of the penguins making their way back to their breeding grounds.
In addition to vast colonies of fur animals such as seals, the island is famous for its diverse array of animal inhabitants, including wombats, wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos, amongst others.
In addition, the waves that can be found on Phillip Island are consistently of a high quality, making it an ideal location for surfers. Other well-liked pastimes these days are horseback riding, sailing, fishing, and mountain biking.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest is the most well-known of the several hundred islands that are located off the coast of Western Australia. It is most notable for its estimated population of about 10,000 quokkas.
Dutch explorers in the 17th century gave the island, situated close to the thriving city of Perth, its name because they mistook the amiable marsupials for rats when they encountered them on the island.
Because only cars authorized by the government are permitted on the island, most visitors choose to use bicycles as their mode of transportation. It takes approximately three hours to finish a bike journey on the island that one does on its own.
Volunteer guides give free walks too. Snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and fishing are all popular activities that people like doing on Rottnest Island, which is known for its abundance of beaches that get lots of sun.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is a lonely tropical island that may be found between New Zealand and Australia. The island has the shape of a crescent moon. Because it wasn’t found till 1833, the island has, for the most part, managed to avoid modern development.
As of right now, there can be no more than 400 visitors along its shoreline at any given moment. Those fortunate enough to make the trip to the island can indulge in the island’s numerous five-star resorts, each of which features a variety of luxurious amenities.
The waters around Lord Howe are incredibly clean, making it an ideal location for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Additionally, due to the vast number of birds that nest on the island, everyone who visits develops a passion for bird watching.
Mount Gower, the highest summit of the island, can be scaled by intrepid explorers with the assistance of a guide in order to take in the breathtaking views of this pristine paradise.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, which is located in Australia and is the country’s the third- biggest island, is an excellent location for up-close animal viewing.
A national park covers over a third of this island, and inside its boundaries are free-roaming populations of kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. There is an abundance of marine mammals that live in the ocean, such as sea lions, sea otters, fur seals, and penguins.
The island’s surroundings are equally as magnificent, thanks to the windy cliffs and amazing rock formations that can be found there. Sugar gum trees and mallee scrub are traversed along well-marked walking pathways on the way to the rocky shoreline.
Kangaroo Island is a site that nature enthusiasts from all over the world simply must go to, as it is conveniently located near Adelaide in South Australia.
Fraser Island
It is generally agreed that Fraser Island, which can be found in the waters off the east coast of Queensland in Australia, is the longest sand island in the entire world. Sand has been carried ashore by prevailing ocean currents over the course of tens of thousands of years.
However, the island is not a desert at all. Ancient rainforests, clear-water lakes, and wetland ecosystems that are teaming with life may be found in the Fraser region.
In addition, there are enormous sand dunes that may be explored, as well as lengthy expanses of sandy beaches that can be enjoyed. In addition, there is an abundance of animal life.
The town of Fraser is well-known for its wolf population, and it is widely regarded as one of the finest locations anywhere in the world from which to observe humpback whales. Fraser Island is a natural gem that is preserved for future generations as a section of Great Sandy National Park.
Whitsunday Islands
A few of Australia’s most breathtaking scenery may be seen on the Whitsunday Islands, which are the geological remains of volcanoes that exploded eons ago.
These mostly uninhabited islands are a popular stopover for people sailing, snorkeling, and diving between the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland because of their location in the middle of the two.
In addition, nature lovers are drawn to areas with verdant jungles and picture-perfect beaches.
Whitehaven Beach seems the crown jewel of the Whitsunday Islands, which include 74 individual islands and are together known as the Whitsunday Islands. The dazzling white sand is made mostly of silica, which prevents it from retaining heat.
This makes going barefoot along the beach a pleasant experience. Both the resorts on Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island, which are located on the mainland, offer departure points for boat cruises to the Whitsunday Islands.
Tasmania
More than half a million people make their home on the island of Tasmania, making it not only the biggest but also the most populous of all of Australia’s islands.
The island state of Tasmania is home to a wide variety of natural as well as cultural landmarks, including the Georgian architecture that can be found in the state’s capital metropolis of Hobart, as well as verdant rainforests along with beaches with white sand.
Historic colonial mansions abound in the city of Launceston in Tasmania. A poignant look at the history of Australia’s convict colonies may be found at Port Arthur.
The 19 national parks that make up Tasmania are home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes that can be seen anywhere around the planet. The fact that Tasmania has such a diverse range of temperatures makes it an appealing tourist destination throughout the year.