Discover one of the world’s most beautiful natural playgrounds, the Great Barrier Reef, in the best way possible – from within, on an exclusive luxury tropical island with five-star accommodation surrounded by azure blue waters, stunning coral formations and wondrous wildlife.
Just off the East Coast of Australia, nestled in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its biodiversity and spectacular reef systems. It’s also fast becoming known as home to some of the world’s most luxurious, remote island destinations with famous white sand beaches and warm tropical climate.
From adult-only exclusive accommodations with picturesque ocean views and award-winning design, to luxury five-star retreats offering fine dining, wellness spas and highly personalised service in tranquility – the perfect setting for unrivalled barefoot luxury.
There’s more than 900 islands from the Southern Great Barrier Reef to the tip of Cape York. We have compiled a list of our highly recommended favourites, all vetted by our Touring Treasures core travel team before being included our portfolio of luxury accommodations, ready for you to enjoy a piece of paradise on your next memorable holiday.
Lizard Island
One of Australia’s most striking islands, Lizard Island is a naturally beautiful luxury tropical island surrounded by pristine turquoise waters and bordered by 24 private beaches, home to some of the country’s most diverse wildlife.
Here you’ll find the Relais & Châteaux’s The House – a striking three-storey house with 106-metre-square rooftop, positioned on its own private peninsula, a sanctuary entrenched in the natural world. The House embodies all things authentically Australian, with award-winning design, panoramic ocean views, exceptional food, and intuitive and impeccable service.
There is also the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook as he hiked the island’s summit hundreds of years ago, and take in the impressive views above Watson’s Bay and the island’s outer reef.
Each stay is distinct with curated menus and bespoke itineraries designed for each guest – the ultimate in barefoot luxury.
Long Island
Find tranquility and seclusion on Long Island, a small, mostly national park island showcasing nature at its finest with up to 17km of walking trails with the native flora and fauna surrounded by secluded bays and expansive coral reefs.
On the southern point of the island is Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat, a luxury all-inclusive, adults-only eco resort. A carefully-crafted oasis tucked away in the rainforest on a three-hectare private cove with a private beach, this property is 100% solar-powered, merging sustainability and five-star luxury to inspire a serene, low-touch sojourn.
Located in the secluded Paradise Bay, Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat has an exclusive capacity of 20 guests and is accessible only via boat or helicopter. The boutique island retreat focuses on tailored experiences with a small team of dedicated staff, including award-winning cuisine cooked by skilled chefs.
Haggerstone Island
One of the most private resort islands in Australia, this exclusive luxury tropical castaway experience is like no other. Getting there is all a part of the adventure thanks to its wonderfully remote location. Once arrived, settle into one of five beachfront villas at Haggerstone Island Resort, offering absolute privacy and unobstructed ocean views. Each villa is open-plan with a private deck, tropical garden, settle in and switch off succumbing to nature itself, or continue the adventure.
For travellers looking for the ultimate adventure experience, take a helicopter to a private waterfall, sand cays, fish in untouched river systems or enjoy champagne on top of the sand dunes or kite surf the Great Barrier Reef from the beach.
The cuisine here is world-class and comes from the island and its surroundings. The seafood is almost always caught on the day by the staff or by an adventurous guest whilst the fruit and vegetables come organically grown from the orchard.
Bedarra Island
Just off the coast of tropical North Queensland in the middle of Family Islands National Park, Bedarra Island is a beautiful getaway bordered with pristine coral sandy beaches and coves formed by giant granite boulders amongst the lush green rainforest.
Enjoy a private slice of the remote paradise at Bedarra Island Resort, with twelve private villas hidden amongst 45 hectares, for seclusion and solace. The all-inclusive resort provides a unique experience, each villa different from the other to offer a true escape and private sanctuary, such as The Beach House with a wet-edge pool, top floor bar and lounge, and deck overlooking the water.
While the island philosophy is centred around relaxation, you can find action and adventure from stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling the outer Great Barrier Reef, deep sea fishing and chartering a helicopter. The resort also has motorised dinghies available for guests to explore private beaches and uninhabited islands. The chef can prepare a gourmet hamper for a picnic to remember.
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most spectacular holiday destinations. Surrounded by pristine white beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, it’s the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and world-famous Whitehaven Beach.
On the island’s northernmost tip is Qualia Resort, a beautifully-designed award-winning luxury resort set in untouched and protected bushand and surrounded by views across the Coral Sea and Whitsundays.
Restore, relax and reset here at qualia’s spa, a contemporary and natural day spa offering luxurious facials, massage therapy, yoga, meditation and an outdoor tropical Vichy shower. For more adventure and wanderlust, charter a boat and enjoy 7kms of Whitehaven Beach’s pristine sand and turquoise waters or fly over the ‘heart’ of the Reef to Heart Island’s private pontoon and swim and snorkel the marine wonder.
Qualia also features two restaurants using the best in both local and international produce. Of an evening, Pebble Beach is a fine dining venue where guests can enjoy a six-course degustation menu with matching wines.
Wilson Island
A natural coral cay covering just 5.24 acres, Wilson Island is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it. Located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, this tropical adult-only hideaway is only accessible via a 25-minute boat from Heron Island.
Stay in one of nine private, designer reef safari tents or reserve the entire island exclusively. This one-of-a-kind Great Barrier Reef experience comes with a private chef to curate a menu and host to take care of everything else.
Wake up on one of the Seven Wonders of the World to the sounds of the ocean. Snorkel and explore the underwater mecca that is the Southern Great Barrier Reef straight off the beach. Discover marine life, big and small, including the turtles who have chosen to make the island home and witness the hatchlings erupt from their nests.
Orpheus Island
Nothing short of naturally beautiful, this small island is built on volcanic rock and fringed with coral reefs and dry woodlands from Moreton Bay ash and wattles.
Nestled in Hazard Bay on the west coast of the island is the luxurious boutique and all-inclusive Orpheus Island Resort – an intimate setting surrounded by palm trees, a private beach, impressive infinity pool and the turquoise sea.
Daily curated activities are a part of the experience on Orpheus Island, from reef adventures to forest hikes. Rejuvenate with an Indigenous-inspired treatment at Gwandalan Spa (Gwandalan translates to ‘rest and peace’ in the local Aboriginal language), combining indigenous herbalism and aromatherapy methods from throughout the world with more contemporary massage techniques to provide a unique experience.
WHEN TO TRAVEL TO LUXURY TROPICAL ISLANDS IN AUSTRALIA
There are two distinct seasons on the reef: the dry season from May to October; and the wet season from November through to April with an average maximum of 30°C (86°F) and an average minimum of 21°C (70°F). The water temperature is inviting year round with temps from 24-29°C (75°F-84°F).
The seasons on Australia’s islands aren’t always marked by weather but also by wildlife. From June to November witness the great whale migration and from January to April the turtle hatching season. From October to May it’s stinger season in the waters of Tropical Queensland, simple precautions should be taken to minimise risk and swim safely.
READY TO TRAVEL?
Looking to experience a trip-of-a-lifetime featuring a visit to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and a stay on one or more of these exclusive islands? Get in touch with us and our team of luxury travel experts will curate a highly personalised experiential journey for you, designed under our unique methodology: The Art of Haute Couture Travel. Schedule your private complimentary consultation with us here.
