As the world’s sixth largest country in the world and the largest island continent, Australia is blessed with some 25,000km of stunning coastline. It is surrounded by many thousands of islands which are home to significant reef systems including the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches some 1,200km along the tropical north Queensland coast, and Ningaloo Reef, located just meters off the West Coast of Australia.
So when it comes island resorts near Australia, Aussies are spoilt for choice. Plus just a short plane ride away is a whole host of other islands dotted around the South Pacific.
Take a look at our pick of the best luxury island resorts near Australia.
HAYMAN ISLAND
At 400 hectares in size, Hayman is one of the largest private and most well-known luxury resorts near Australia. Having reopened in 2019 as InterContinental Hayman Island, this northernmost Whitsunday island five-star hotel has 166 luxurious rooms, three restaurants and a stunning spa and wellness center.
All rooms have private balconies with views of the lagoon, while suites have private pools, outdoor decks and access to the beach. Guests can relax while sipping cocktails, snorkel in the clear waters or head off by speedboat to nearby Langford Island.
BEDARRA ISLAND
Bedarra Island is located off the coast of Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. With just 10 villas hidden amongst the tropical rainforest, Bedarra Island offers everything you could look for in a luxury resort near Australia – privacy, tranquility and exceptional service.
Each villa has a different layout – some with beach access, others with their own plunge pool – but all of the villas boast king-sized beds, luxury baths, private sundecks and ocean views.
The all-inclusive package – as with most luxury island resorts near Australia – means three daily gourmet meals and a selection of drinks (including champagne and cocktails).
LIZARD ISLAND
Lizard Island is Australia’s northernmost island, lying approximately 240kms north of Cairns and surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef’s outer rings. One of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection of properties, Lizard Island embodies the concept of barefoot luxury.
From its heavenly spa and pool to the cuisine and chic villas and suites, Lizard Island is a luxury resort near Australia that makes its guests feel cosseted from the moment they step off their private plane.
There are 24 beaches to explore with motorized dinghies and gourmet picnic hampers. You can also snorkel with a dazzling array of fish, giant clams and sea turtles just off the shore. Inland guests can work up a sweat with bush trails, including a tough one up to Cook’s Look, the highest point on the island. Cocktail hour is the time to watch the sun disappear into the Coral Sea.
Its latest accommodation, The House at Lizard, is a three-bedroom, secluded escape that appears to be clinging to a private peninsula. Designed by Australian architects, the timber-and-glass property promises guests the ultimate privacy: no need to dine at the resort’s restaurants, private chefs will come to you; personal sommeliers replace bars and a Riviera yacht is ready to take you on a tour to the nearby reef.
LORD HOWE ISLAND
Lord Howe Island, a crescent-shaped South Pacific sanctuary, 700km north east of Sydney, is a popular tropical escape, with luxury island resorts near Australia. And with just 350 locals and visitor numbers restricted to 400 at any one time, you’re almost guaranteed to have one of its secluded beaches all to yourself.
Honeymoon couples will love this slice of subtropical paradise that offers swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving as well as birdwatching and bush walking. Arajilla Retreat encapsulates the very essence of Lord Howe Island, offering a haven of tranquility and peace in luxury accommodation. Nestled under a canopy of Kentia Palms and Banyan Trees, behind Old Settlement Beach, meandering pathways lead through native gardens to the beach, the Day Spa and Arajilla’s luxurious accommodation.
FIJI
Surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji is made up of hundreds of islands, many of which have been turned into private-island resorts. You can choose from laid-on luxury, no-expense-spared resorts or stylish yet sustainable eco-lodges which celebrate the beauty of nature.
And while Fiji may feel like it’s thousands of kilometers from anywhere, but flight times from Australia range from just four to seven hours.
With white-sand beaches washed by spectacular surf, a jungle-clad interior and plenty of sunshine, Fiji is a castaway-island fantasy. There’s good reasons Hollywood blockbusters the Blue Lagoon and Cast Away were filmed here.
And then there’s the warmth of the local Fijians, descendants of the Melanesians and Polynesians who have created a delightfully unique, friendly society, known the world over for their friendliness and warmth.
TURTLE ISLAND
One of the island resorts near Australia in Fiji’s Yasawa group of islands is Turtle Island where 12 private beaches and just 14 couples hosted at a time means guests are guaranteed their own private beach every second day of their stay.
Turtle Island Fiji, a family-owned luxury island resort near Australia, was recently named one of the Top 2 Resorts in the South Pacific & Australia in the Conde Nast Traveler 2022 Readers Choice Awards. The accolade is a testament to the luxury resort’s passionate and dedicated team.
Guests enjoy the attention of their personal concierge known as a “Bure Mama” who’ll look after their every whim. Each bure – a light-filled Fijian style villa – is assigned a Bure Mama to fulfil guests’ wishes. She’ll organise your days out, book your spa treatments and even do your laundry and pack your case when it’s time to leave.
Getting to Turtle Island Fiji from Australia couldn’t be easier with daily flights with Fiji Airways from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Arriving in Fiji you’ll land at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu (the main island of Fiji). From here, you can either stay at one of the many resorts or hotels or venture out to the smaller islands which requires another transfer either by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
BALI
Offering plenty of luxury resorts near Australia and with a flight time of around six hours from Sydney and Melbourne, Bali has long been a popular vacation destination for traveling Aussies.
With its dazzling white-sand beaches, in particular Seminyak and Sanur, welcoming culture, great food and hills terraced with rice paddies, the small Indonesian island of Bali is a destination with an abundance of luxury resorts near Australia.
Some of the best luxury resorts near Australia in Bali offer multi-tiered infinity pools, tropical gardens and private beaches. Well-known international hotel chains dot the beach front in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Bay and Ubud, in the uplands of Bali.
NEW CALEDONIA
A French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific, and island resorts near Australia, New Caledonia is known for its palm-lined beaches and marine-life-rich lagoon, which at 23,000sq km is among the largest in the world.
A huge barrier reef surrounds the main island, Grand Terre, which is a major scuba-diving destination. The capital of New Caledonia, Noumea, is reminiscent of a tropical French city and is home to French-influenced restaurants, boulangeries and boutiques.
One of the closest tropical islands to mainland Australia – it takes just under three hours to fly from Sydney to Noumea – New Caledonia has a selection of luxurious resorts that make the most of the island’s climate, stunning marine life and beautiful beaches.
The unique combination of French and Melanesian culture means you can learn about the country’s indigenous people, the Kanak, while enjoying French cuisine and practicing French.
Some of New Caledonia’s most popular luxury island resorts near Australia can be found in Anse Vata Bay and on the Ile des Pins, known for its white sand and tall pine trees.
Caledonia, Noumea, is reminiscent of a tropical French city and is home to French-influenced restaurants, boulangeries and boutiques.
One of the closest tropical islands to mainland Australia – it takes just under three hours to fly from Sydney to Noumea – New Caledonia has a selection of luxurious resorts that make the most of the island’s climate, stunning marine life and beautiful beaches.
The unique combination of French and Melanesian culture means you can learn about the country’s indigenous people, the Kanak, while enjoying French cuisine and practicing French.
Some of New Caledonia’s most popular luxury island resorts near Australia can be found in Anse Vata Bay and on the Ile des Pins, known for its white sand and tall pine trees.
DISCOVER TURTLE ISLAND, FIJI
If you’re researching luxury island resorts near Australia, put Turtle Island Resort on your radar. This family-run luxury island resort is shared with just 14 couples, giving you the feeling of total escape and as if you’ve got the island to yourselves.
Soak up the sun on one of the island’s 12 private white-sand beaches, snorkel the shore-based reef or enjoy romantic dinners on your own jetty. What are you waiting for? Get in touch today to start making memories.
