Green island from the air

Where to go

Islands

A String of Jewel-like Islands

Scattered up the coast of Tropical North Queensland are islands that range from tiny uninhabited strips of sand to private ultra-luxury resorts.

These islands are places that will fill you with peace, take away your problems and leave you with a sense of pure adventure and child-like wonder

Jemma Craig – photographer and Green Island resident

fitzroy island great barrier reef

MILES OF ISLES

In Tropical North Queensland, there’s an island for everyone – from experienced divers to novice snorkellers, from flop-and-drop sunbakers to avid hikers, from those looking for luxury to those who want to rough it. For families and first-timers, Green Island is the place to test the waters. It’s one of only three true coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef and there’s sheltered snorkelling right off the beach. Fitzroy Island is another local favourite and its rainforest-covered hills are threaded with hiking trails, including the picturesque Secret Garden track. There are resorts on both islands, but they are also easily accessible as a day-trip from Cairns.

Manta ray swimming

THE UNDERWORLD

There are five islands in the uninhabited Frankland Islands group, about 45km south of Cairns. Only one tourist boat visits each day with a maximum of 100 passengers, making for a genuine “castaway” experience. The islands are surrounded by spectacular fringing reefs, home to majestic green turtles and manta rays.

The Frankland Islands

Low isles with light house

A LOVELY LAGOON

Low Isles is a good reef option, just 15km off the coast from Port Douglas. The protected lagoon waters are ideal for beginners who shouldn’t be surprised if a marine turtle floats by.

Low Isles

Dunk Island

CIRCLE OF GREEN

Just off the coast from Mission Beach, Dunk Island is a rainforest-covered paradise fringed with palm trees and golden sand beaches. More than half the island is a national park, with plenty of walking and hiking trails. The resort is currently closed, however there are camping facilities and a small cafe (but be sure to bring your own supplies).

Dunk Island

Edge pool at Lizard island resort

THE LUX REPORT

Luxury travellers will fall in love with Lizard and Bedarra islands. Lizard Island, off the coast of Cape York, is a 1000ha national park with 24 beaches and one ultra-luxe resort, the most northerly in the Great Barrier Reef. Bedarra Island is a small, rainforest-covered gem just offshore from Mission Beach and home to one exclusive resort and a handful of holiday villas.

Lizard Island

INTO THE BLUE

Mackay Cay off Cape Tribulation offers excellent snorkelling in its impossibly clear water; while Hinchinbrook – the largest island national park in the country – is home to the 32km Thorsborne Trail, the ideal way to discover the island’s untouched beauty and bountiful wildlife.

Dreamy Sand Cays

Tips

  • If you’re planning to camp on one of the islands, make sure you book your permit early. There are only limited spaces and they can fill up quickly, especially during school holidays. Remember that you can only camp in designated areas.

  • Most of the islands in Tropical North Queensland are close to shore, so can be easily reached for a day-trip. If you plan to visit a few, you can stay on the mainland and venture out each day.

Discover More

Find the best islands for snorkelling, diving, hiking and watersports, plus accommodation to suit every style and budget.

Lizard Island aerial
Great Barrier Reef
Lizard Island – The northern-most resort on the Great Barrier Reef

Surrounded by pristine turquoise waters that will make you question whether you’re in a dream, discover the true meaning of tropical oasis at the exclusive and ultra-luxurious, Lizard Island.

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Fitzroy Island tile
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Everything you need to know about Fitzroy Island

If you want proof not all Great Barrier Reef islands are born equal, pay a visit to the supermodel of the island world, Fitzroy Island.

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Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
8 islands south of Cairns to explore

The Sunshine State might have 900 tropical islands off its coastline, but there’s one stretch of coast that’s overrepresented when it comes to idyllic island-oasis. Enter Southern Cairns and the Cassowary Coast, whose offshore attractions are as much of a drawcard as its mainland namesake.

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Vlasoff Cay: the most incredible place to picnic

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Discover Wunyami (Green Island) with Traditional Owners

Discover the Indigenous stories, legends and traditions of Wunyami (Green Island) from the Gungganji and Yidinji people as you join them on a guided island tour and learn about their cultural, ceremony and life with Wunyami Tours.

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Edge pool at Lizard island resort
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Sleep tight in paradise

Rest your head easy on a visit to Tropical North Queensland. From sleeping on a luxury island to pitching a tent on the beach, here’s your guide to an unforgettable stay in the tropics.

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Dreamy sand cays you must visit on the Great Barrier Reef

We’ve all seen those gorgeous wisps of whiteness poking out from an azure sea on Great Barrier Reef. But what are they? More importantly, where are they? And how can we get a piece of sand cay action? We’re here to reveal all.

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Gareth Phillips snorkelling on the reef
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Reef Talk – A chat with marine biologist Gareth Phillips

The Great Barrier Reef is a thriving, living marine environment. It inspires all who visit, even those who see it every day, like marine biologist and owner of Marine Discoveries, Gareth Phillips.

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8 Island Campsites on the Great Barrier Reef

Unleash your inner Robinson Crusoe by camping on the Great Barrier Reef! Have you ever dreamed of escaping from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives? Where life is simple, revolving around the rising sun and falling tide? Yep, so have we! Here’s Eight island campsites where you can unleash your inner Robinson Crusoe.

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Luxury places to rest your head

Escape to luxe island hideaways, indulgent outback retreats or tranquil ancient rainforests. Kick off your shoes, take some much needed R&R and discover the unique landscape of Tropical North Queensland.

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Clown fish in an anenone

Getting here

  • helicopter on a sand cay

    By air

    Helicopter transfers are available between Cairns, Green Island and Bedarra Island. Private charter services operate between Cairns and Lizard Island for guests of Lizard Island Resort and liveaboard vessels; Mike Ball Dive Expeditions and Spirit of Freedom. Daily touring options are available to Lizard Island with Daintree Air Services.

  • Sunlover boat at Fitzroy island

    By boat/ferry

    Boats depart daily with ferry transfers services to Dunk Island, Bedarra Island, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Frankland Islands and Low Isles. Private charters or liveaboard dive vessels offer a unique journey to Lizard Island.

Stay

Enjoy a little resort living on the Great Barrier Reef.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

So, you’re all booked in for your trip to Tropical North Queensland (YAY!) But what do you pack? 🤔🌴 @kellerdiaries is here to help you out! Here are our top tips on what to pack for your next holiday to the tropics:
 
📍 Summer clothes (no jumpers needed ❌)
📍 Sun protection - hat, sunnies and sunscreen
📍 Reusable water bottle and keep cup (if you’re a coffee drinker)
📍Don’t forget your thongs (or flip flops, jandals, whatever you want to call them!)
 
#exporeTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #packing
If you need a reason to become a morning person, this is it! 🎈No better way to watch the sunrise over the Atherton Tablelands than gliding above it with @hotairballooncairns

#ExploreTNQ #ExplorecairnsGBR #athertontablelands

[ID: sunrise from a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands]
Are you ready to learn all about the Great Barrier Reef? 🧑‍🏫📖

@masterreefguides @tahnmiller is here to give us all the important @gbrmarinepark facts! Where better to start than right at the very beginning, what is the Great Barrier Reef? 🪸
 
Stay tuned for more reef information and facts with Tahn, and don’t forget to jump on a tour with a Master Reef Guide next time you’re in Tropical North Queensland 🩵

🎥 @queensland 
 
#ExploreTNQ #ThisIsQueensland #SeeAustralia #ExploreCairnsGBR #GreatBarrierReef
If there's one thing we know about those lovely tropical raindrops, it's that it sometimes they make everything just a little more magical! ✨🌴

📍 @lake_barrine_teahouse

🎥 @megannamourr #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #athertontablelands
Good morning #Cairns 👋👋 

🎥 @trendy.neo #explorecairnsgbr #exploretnq

[ID Warm orange and yellow sunrise over Cairns]
Winter is only a few months away, you know what that means? It's nearly minke whale season!! 🐋

Did you know that Tropical North Queensland is the only known predictable aggregation in the world & the only place where people are able to swim alongside this majestic animal - book a tour with @mikeballdive @divers_den @prodivecairns or @spiritoffreedomcairns to experience it for yourself 🩵

🎥 @z0moments #exploreTNQ #exploreCairnsGBR #minkewhale #greatbarrierreef

[ID Minke Whales calmly swimming past the camera through the ocean]
POV you're playing passenger princess on the way to @lizardisland ✈️👸

This stunning island is renowned for its diving, with the world-famous Cod Hole on the northern tip of Ribbon Reef just 50 minutes from the Island 🐠 Here you might find some friendly grey reef sharks, schooling sweetlips & a dazzling array of tropical reef fish, maybe even the site’s namesake, the Potato Cod 🤿

While you're there, don't forget to make your way over to the Lizard Island Research Station – a coral reef research facility that is recognised as the major island-based research facility on the @gbrmarinepark! 🌊

🎥 @sveabark #exploreTNQ #exploreCairnsGBR #capeyork

[ID: Boarding a small charter plane and flying over bright blue ocean and coral reefs on the way to Lizard Island, where there is white sand, lush forest and only a few buildings visible from the air.]
hot off the press @capetribhorserides is ready for you to saddle up and head to the beautiful beaches of @portdouglasdaintree 🌴🐴

🎥 @amys.camera.lens #exploreTNQ #exploreCairnsGBR #portdouglasdaintree

[ID: Collection of aerial videos of horses and riders walking along the beach and in the water at Cape Tribulation, where the beach is lined with palm trees and green rainforest]
Say hello to some of our furry friends at #GraniteGorge near the @athertontablelands 🌴 Popular with day trippers & campers alike, Granite Gorge's big drawcard is the rock wallabies 🦘 This particular colony is an endangered species that is only found in the Mareeba area 🦋 This is the only place where you can feed them in the wild 🍴 So it's not surprising that they're the first thing most people go looking for when they arrive at the park 🌾👀

🎥 @travelloef #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #thisisqueensland #seeaustrlia #mareeba

[ID: Wallaby with joey poking out of pouch sitting on a rock at Granite Gorge]

 

Book now and save $100 on tours

Are you visiting Tropical North Queensland soon? Take advantage of our Tropical Dollars and get $100 off tours and experiences* when you book through Experience Oz! Use code TNQ100

*Min spend $200. T&C’s apply. Travel by 21 June 2024.