North Queensland's Islands

Townsville is a jumping-off point for some of North Queensland's most stunning islands. Here’s three which are perfect for a romantic getaway with their own unique flavour. 

Orpheus - The Indulgence Island

As the seaplane banks left on approach into Orpheus Island, below us coral reefs poke out of the turquoise water which fringes the islands in this part of the world. And a kilometre or two in the distance, a whale breaches as if to complete the Barrier Reef cliché. 

The descent and water landing at Orpheus Island - after a 30 minute flight from Townsville - adds to the sensory overload, and it’s a memorable beginning to one of the most perfect romantic destinations in the world. 

There are no televisions, no phones, or children under 15 years on this island paradise, and everything is geared towards total indulgence with an elegant touch. From the private bungalows (just 21 of them) fringed by palm trees right on the beach, to an incredible seven-course degustation dinner for two on the jetty with manta rays and mackerel swimming right below, Orpheus Island is a secluded paradise with an other-world feel.

There are plenty of places to escape to also, and one of the highlights is a chef-prepared seafood and champagne picnic lunch and a private motorised dinghy which can access the remote beaches. Ringed by reef, the entire island is a snorkellers’ dream, and the only problem is that at times you’re left wondering: “Where is everyone else?”  

Magnetic - The Adventure Island

With Blackjack setting the pace out front, Bonnie settles into a rhythmic canter with her best mate, Clyde, tucked in behind. The horses obviously know the beach is close which means a cooling swim is the reward for their two-hour trail ride through the bush.

We manage to slow the horses down to a walk as we arrive on the white sand of Horseshoe Bay Beach, and after removing the saddles, the animals are ready to be ridden bareback into the water. Most of the horses don’t need any encouragement to enter the ocean, while some need a little kick along, and within minutes all riders are up to their waists in water.

A bush and beach trail ride from Bluey’s Horseshoe Ranch is just one of the reasons Magnetic Island, or “Maggie” as it’s called by the locals, is gaining its reputation as a unique adventure and wildlife destination. 

It’s a World Heritage listed island with stunning headlands which link 23 bays and beaches and two thirds of the island is National Park. Its 24 kilometres of stunning bush walks provide access to remote swimming spots and native wildlife including koalas, rock wallabies and more than 100 species of birds.

Even if you don’t manage to spot much wildlife out on the trails, Bungalow Bay Koala Village is one of the few places in the world where you can cuddle one of the cute animals and have your photo taken with one, and enjoy a real a bush tucker breakfast cooked over a camp fire. 

It’s an eco-resort with the animals on site and it’s also a great place to check out other native Australian wildlife up close including crocodiles, lizards, snakes, echidnas and cockatoos, including the resident black “cocky”, Shadow. 

And once you’re tired of hiking, exploring, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, or jet skiing, a relaxing way to take in the natural beauty of the island and its beautiful beaches is a day-trip on the Providence V, a 62-foot-gaff-rigged schooner which operates full day and sunset cruises. 

Snorkel stops are made at quiet locations with beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish, and the highlight of the day is being dropped off at a remote beach like Florence Bay with a picnic lunch. 

Hinchinbrook - The Wilderness Island

It’s just after 10am and the sun is finally burning off the last of the cloud which has covered the island, and in the distance Mt Bowen is finally revealed in its full grandeur at 1121 metres, lined with lush forest. The herons and cockatoos celebrate the improving weather with an overhead display of cartwheeling and the temperature rises 10 degrees within a few minutes.   

Hinchinbrook is Australia’s largest island National Park, and it stands out from the “Barrier Reef crowd” thanks to its stunning volcanic mountains which cut through the clouds. With walking trails crisscrossing the island, this is a hiker’s dream with 39,000 hectares of National Park featuring spectacular granite peaks, 11 sandy beaches and tropical mangroves on the southwestern end, and an abundance of bird life.

If hiking is not your thing, you can add a full-day tour of the island to your transfer from the mainland at Port Hinchinbrook Marina. Camp grounds dot the island (you need a permit from the Rainforest and Reef Information Centre, which is about 37 kilometres by 10 kilometres, and the world-famous Thorsborne Trail, which runs along the eastern side of the island, is a 32 kilometre trek which takes in all of the island’s natural attractions. 

But if you’re not keen on roughing it at campsites, the Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge & Resort on beautiful Orchid Beach in the north is a luxurious introduction to the island.

This article has been updated. To read the latest version click here.