10 islands you’ve never heard of

FRANKLAND ISLANDS

Five islands make up the Frankland group, 45km south-east of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. You’ll need your own boat to get to High, Normanby, Round, Mabel and Russell Islands but the trek is worth it. You can camp on Russell and High Islands and there’s plenty of bushwalking, boating, fishing, snorkelling and diving to be done around this group.

QUOIN ISLAND

While many have heard of Heron and Wilson Islands off of Gladstone on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, few know of the gold that is nearby Quoin Island. It will take you only 15 minutes by boat from the mainland to a private retreat on 10ha of the island. Visit the turtle rehabilitation centre here.

SWEERS ISLAND

Life is sweet at Sweers Island, situated in the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, considered to be where the outback meets the ocean. While many are lured here for the fishing, there’s also plenty of other activities such as bird watching, nature walks, bushwalking and boating. Accommodation is in comfortable cabins.

KESWICK ISLAND

Perched off the coast of Mackay, in the Whitsundays, sits pretty Keswick Island. Stay in a self-contained house, or fully-catered guest house, and enjoy the abundant nature, which has contributed to this being nicknamed the “treasured island”. There’s birds, bees and bushwalking here, as well as diving, snorkelling and coral walks.

FACING ISLAND

Another island off the Gladstone coast in the Southern Great Barrier Reef that has received little press is Facing Island. Travel just 12km by boat from the mainland for secluded beaches, camping, 4WDing, fishing, surfing and unspoiled bushland. You’ll love the expanse of sandy beaches here.

HAGGERSTONE ISLAND

For ultimate seclusion, head to Tropical North Queensland and 600km north of Cairns near the tip of Cape York you’ll find this remote island. There are only six structures on this property – three huts, a beach house, pavilion and jetty. Go sand boarding, fishing, spearfishing, skin diving, snorkelling, bird watching, beachcombing and take a helicopter adventure.

NORTH WEST ISLAND

Further away from the Gladstone coast, 75km to be precise, sits North West Island. Part of Capricorn Cays National Park, this island is the largest Coral Cay in the area and is ideal for camping, bushwalking, reef walking, diving, snorkelling and studying nature. The fishing is reported to be good here, too.

THURSDAY ISLAND

If you want to soak up the culture of Queensland’s Torres Strait Islanders, head to Thursday Island in Tropical North Queensland. There’s several hotels, motels, lodges and a hostel here. The Grand Hotel offers views over Endeavour Island, Horn Island (which has a modern motel and a hotel) and Prince of Wales Island.

COOCHIEMUDLO ISLAND

Situated between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, you’ll find this island with the cutesy name, which some say is the “jewel of Moreton Bay”. This tiny land mass – it’s only 5 square kilometres in size – is named after the prominent red rock on the island. There’s a motel, private accommodation or the aptly-named Quirky Cottages.

RUSSELL ISLAND

Also in Moreton Bay off Brisbane sits Russell Island, which is practically a city compared to Coochiemudlo. There’s a host of accommodation here, from private holiday homes to motels and hotels. Check out the Gooramundra Trail walking track on this island.