10 Aussie island escapes that are surprisingly affordable
Want to live the island life on a budget? These are the islands for you.
1. Fitzroy Island, QLD
Off the coast from Cairns, Fitzroy is one of the most unspoilt islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It’s great for both ocean adventures and inland hiking, with a stunning fringing reef that’s perfect for both beginners and experts. It’s an easy day trip or there’s one reasonably prices resort on the island.
2. Bremer Island, NT
Sitting just off the northeastern tip of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Bremer Island is a back to basics unexplored paradise. You’ll sleep in tents and use shared bathroom facilities, but be rewarded with some of the best fishing in the country and authentic interactions with the local Yolngu people.
3. Cocos Islands, WA
This pristine piece of paradise is around 3,000 kilometres northwest of Perth with Oscar-worthy white sand beaches and turquoise water. Tourism is largely unknown in Cocos, so once you’re here you’ll find great value resorts and barely another traveller to be seen.
4. Picnic Island, TAS
There’s plenty of super luxe accommodation in Tassie, but you can have your own private island experience at a reasonable price on Picnic Island just around the corner from the legendary Wineglass Bay. There’s exclusive accommodation for 10 guests and each night the island comes alive with penguins tottering ashore.
5. Lady Elliot Island, QLD
One of the few true coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is a wildlife wonderland with an abundance of turtles, manta rays and more populating the surrounding waters. There’s only one resort on the island, an unpretentious eco property with simple and affordable rooms.
6. Christmas Island
Just south of Java, Indonesia, in the depths of the Indian Ocean, Christmas Island is one of the most far flung Australian territories. It’s also a natural wonder and scuba diving mecca, all available for around half what you would pay in popular places like the Whitsundays.
7. Fraser Island, QLD
The largest sand island in the world is just off the coast from Hervey Bay and is a stunning sweep of beaches, four wheel drive tracks and rocky outlooks. The resorts on the island are pretty pricey, but most people come here to camp. Pitch a tent at a gorgeous sandy campsite and soak it all in for practically nothing.
8. King Island, TAS
What's not to love about an island that’s best known for its cheese? Floating in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania, King Island is a rugged little patch of land surrounded by stunning beaches and growing some of the tastiest produce in the country.
9. Rottnest Island, WA
Around 20 kilometres off the coast from Fremantle, Rotto is the favourite island getaway for all West Australians. It’s a flat, sandy outcrop dotted with secluded beaches, winding bike paths and friendly quokkas. Plus there’s lot of cheap self-contained accommodation and campsites.
10. Magnetic Island, QLD
A 25-minute ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island is in the northern half of the Great Barrier Reef and is the perfect place for a laid back Queensland break. Half the island is national park, making for great hiking, as well as excellent snorkelling and diving offshore. Accommodation options range from camping to budget holiday homes and classic island resorts.