Leslie Massey
Australia is home to 8,222 islands within its maritime borders, offering a range of experiences from tropical getaways to cultural immersion. To the east of Australia, some of the most notable islands include Fraser Island, the Whitsundays, and Lord Howe Island. Fraser Island, also known as K'gari, is the world's largest sand island, boasting 75 miles of beach and an abundance of wildlife. The Whitsundays, a collection of 74 islands, offer some of the country's most beautiful natural surroundings, including white-sand beaches and national parks. Lord Howe Island, located 600 kilometres east of the Australian mainland, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its diverse wildlife and pristine natural environment. In addition to these, there are several other islands off the east coast of Australia, such as Norfolk Island, Moreton Island, and Rottnest Island, each offering unique attractions and experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of islands within Australia's maritime borders | 8,222 |
| Islands larger than 1,000 square kilometres | Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, K'gari, Flinders Island, King Island, Mornington Island |
| Largest islands by population | Tasmania (570,000), Bribie Island (18,000), Phillip Island (14,000) |
| Islands off the east coast | Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Lord Howe Island, Moreton Island, Norfolk Island, Lizard Island, Tiwi Islands |
| Activities | Four-wheel driving, camping, hiking, snorkelling, scuba diving, bird-watching, fishing, sand tobogganing, whale watching |
| Wildlife | Quokkas, humpback whales, sea lions, koalas, dingoes, kangaroos, birds, plants |
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Fraser Island
The island is part of the traditional lands of the Butchulla people, who have a rich history and cultural connection to the region. The name "K'gari" comes from the Butchulla creation story, in which a spirit named Princess K'gari was transformed into a beautiful island. European settlers arrived in 1847 and named the island "Fraser Island" after Captain James Fraser, who was shipwrecked and died on the island in 1836.
The island is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including unique bird species and native animals. Up to 500,000 people visit Fraser Island each year to experience its natural beauty and cultural significance. It is a popular destination for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering camping, hiking, and four-wheel-drive adventures.
In June 2023, the Queensland Government officially announced that Fraser Island would revert to its traditional name, K'gari, recognising and honouring the rich history and cultural heritage of the Butchulla people.
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Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 continental islands of various sizes, located off the central coast of Queensland, Australia. They are a popular tourist destination for travellers to Queensland and the
The Whitsunday Islands offer everything one would expect from a tropical paradise: turquoise waters that meet swirling white sands, secluded beaches and world-class luxury accommodation. They are a mecca for sailing, diving and snorkelling, and offer bucket-list-worthy activities like swimming with turtles or flying over the famous Heart Reef. The islands are also known for their mild temperatures and about 300 days of sunshine each year, with spring offering consistently sunny weather, low humidity and perfect conditions for water activities.
The commercial centre of the Whitsunday Islands is Hamilton Island, which has an airport offering direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The other airport in the islands is the Whitsunday Coast Airport, located about 25 minutes from Airlie Beach on the mainland, and offering direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast. The easiest way to get around the mainland is by car, while there are several options for travelling between the mainland and the islands, and between the islands themselves, including transfers, bareboating and cruises.
The traditional owners of the area are the Ngaro people and the Gia people, whose Juru people have the only legally recognised native title in the Whitsunday Region. The islands lie within the chain named Cumberland Isles by Captain Cook (now officially the Cumberland Islands) and a reasonably defined section of that chain and surrounding waters have become known as The Whitsundays, based on a contraction of the Whitsunday Islands.
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Magnetic Island
The island has a population of around 2,500 people and is accessible by ferry from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour. The four main residential beaches and bays are Nelly Bay, Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, and Picnic Bay. Nelly Bay is the main shopping and service centre for the island, offering supermarkets, a doctor's surgery, a petrol station, and more. Horseshoe Bay is the biggest bay on the island and is popular for water sports.
In the 19th century, Magnetic Island became a popular location for the collection of stone and coral needed for development on the mainland. It was also used as a quarantine station and a resort was established in Picnic Bay. During World War II, the island became an important defensive position due to its proximity to Townsville, a significant military base. Today, Magnetic Island is a thriving community with many hotels and resorts, offering a natural paradise for visitors seeking sunshine and serenity.
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Green Island
The island is known for its lush vegetation, including dry coastal and beach plants, as well as a unique vine thicket rainforest. It is a popular tourist destination, with a luxury resort offering 46 rooms and various facilities for observing the rich coral life of the surrounding reef. Visitors can also explore the underwater world through scuba diving and snorkelling. The island is easily accessible by boat, helicopter, or seaplane from Cairns.
In recent times, Green Island has seen a shift towards tourism as the primary activity. A guest house was built in the 1930s, and an underwater observatory was added in 1954. The current resort, Green Island Reef Resort, opened its doors in 1994. According to the 2021 census, Green Island had a population of 20 people, although it had 25 residents in 2016.
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North Stradbroke Island
The island has a rich history and was originally one island, known as Stradbroke Island, which split into North Stradbroke and South Stradbroke in 1896. The Quandamooka people have a long and ongoing presence on the island, and it has been a site of sand mining for over sixty years. Tourism and mining are now the island's main industries.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. Some islands to the east of Australia include Tasmania, Fraser Island, the Whitsundays, and Lord Howe Island.
Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island. It is known for its Seventy-Five-Mile Beach, which doubles as a highway, and its inland roads. It also has a rainforest that runs down to the beach and beautiful freshwater lakes.
The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands scattered like jewels in the Coral Sea off the east coast of Queensland. They are known for their white-sand beaches, national parks, and sailing. They are also a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
