Whether you're meandering along a nature trail, diving into the deep blue depths or watching turtles tumble into life, there's no end to the greatness of the Great Barrier Reef.

This astounding marine park, extending more than 2,500 kilometres in length, has nearly one thousand islands along the coastline from Gladstone to Cairns.

The Barrier Reef can be easily reached from numerous points along the Queensland coast, including Bundaberg and Gladstone in the south, and Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns and Port Douglas in the north. All the larger islands offer a wide range of facilities to keep you busy in and out of the water, so you can choose your island destination based on the level of relaxation, nature experiences or indulgence you're after.

Southern Reef Islands

Heron Island, 70 kilometres north of Gladstone, has an abundance of birdlife and its rare ecology also makes it an ideal breeding ground for migrating turtles.

After laying 180 eggs or more, the turtles backfill their nests and make their way back to the ocean. Heron Island attracts mostly Green Sea Turtles. Occasionally people come across loggerhead turtles while swimming or snorkelling and very rarely Hawks Bill Turtles. From early January until March, tiny hatchlings dig their way to the surface, emerge from their sandy nests and scramble down the beach to begin life in the sea. It's a moving spectacle, set to the seabird soundtrack of the reef herons.

But of course for a truly mesmerising experience, you need to go underwater to see the glittering world of the Reef - the hundreds of coral varieties and the countless fish species, the startling colours and the amazing and bizarre sea life. Heron Island is rated as one of the best diving locations on earth, so it's a great place to take the plunge.

There are a few ways you can explore the unspoilt bushland and beaches of Great Keppel Island, just 45 minutes' drive from Rockhampton. Take a walk, snorkel at Shelving Beach, Monkey Point and Clam Bay or, for that Lawrence of Arabia feeling you can go camel trekking.

Tropical North Islands

There are great walks on Magnetic Island, a 25-minute fast cat ferry ride from Townsville. The island was originally discovered by Captain Cook back in 1770, who named it Magnetic Island because he mistakenly thought that the predominantly granite boulders in the area were affecting his compass.

It's worth taking a walk along the fort tracks. The forts were built back in 1942 just after the Japanese bombed Townsville, and were designed to protect the island. The forts make for a stunning walk, but they're not the only points of interest. If you want to get up close to koalas, visit the Koala Bush Sanctuary, which was originally set up as a koala hospital but has since become a great family attraction.

Stinger-free swimming can be enjoyed at Ramsay Bay on Hinchinbrook Island, which has made headlines for being the biggest and most geographically diverse island national park in the world. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the island by ferry from Cardwell. Fishermen flock to Hinchinbrook Channel - it's the place to go if you want to score a barramundi. If you don't catch anything fishing by yourself, make your way to Bluewater Barra Farm, where you can toss in a line and keep what you catch. It's a great option for kids and inexperienced anglers.

Dunk Island is just seven kilometres from Mission Beach, between Townsville and Cairns. The first inhabitants named it 'Coonanglebah,' the island of peace and plenty. It's a good spot for a guided rainforest walk with spectacular views of Mt Kootaloo.

For a taste of the high life, Double Island, located in Queensland's gorgeous Trinity Bay, north of Cairns and close to Palm Cove, offers absolute seclusion. It can only be hired on a whole-island basis and it's the destination of choice for movie stars, billionaires and other wildly successful people. Anything you like to do is possible here - you can explore the beautiful beaches, go for a drive along the Bloomfield Track, which takes you through the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, or simply chill out and enjoy the resort's creature comforts - including a gym, outdoor cinema and indoor theatre.

If a private island is out of your reach, take heart. There are still another 1000 or so islands in the area, so there'll be one that's perfect for you.

Browse All Holidays

Alpine Snowy Mtns, NSW Beaches & Islands Seal Rocks, NSW Goolwa, SA Great Barrier Reef Isl, QLD Whitsundays, QLD Jervis Bay, NSW Esperance, WA Orpheus & Lizard Islands, QLD Fraser Island, QLD Tiwi Islands, NT King Island, TAS Norfolk Island Gold Coast, QLD Phillip Island, VIC Hiking, TAS Trout Fishing, TAS Adventure Ningaloo, WA Eyre Peninsula, SA Freycinet, TAS Litchfield, NT Kimberley, WA Great Ocean Rd, VIC Blue Mountains, NSW Cape York, QLD Katherine, NT Hiking, TAS Trout Fishing, TAS Food & Wine Margaret River, WA Barossa Valley, SA Yarra Valley, VIC Norfolk Island Outback Uluru, NT Cameron Corner, NSW Roma, QLD Nullarbor, WA & SA Coober Pedy, SA Cities Darwin, NT Gold Coast, QLD Hobart, TAS Melbourne, VIC

• Nearest City:Brisbane
• Distance to Brisbane:1125km
• Nearest Airport to Heron Island:Proserpine
• Distance to Proserpine Airport:36kms

Local Attractions in the Area

• Heron Island
• Magnetic Island
• Hinchinbrook Island
• Great Keppel Island
• Great Barrier Reef Islands

---

Helpful Links for the Area

• Queensland Holidays
• Diving Queensland
• Tourism Tropical North Queensland
• Tropical North Queensland Tours
• Tourism Queensland

---

Seasonal Events

• Turtle Season Calendar
• Reef & Rainforest Carnivale
• Tropical North Queensland Regional Events