Get Away with Dre: Aussie Island Getaways
Want summer to go on forever? Here are a few Australian island trips you can try that’s not too far from the mainland. No passport needed!
There are a few places you can go to where the weather’s warm, the air is fresh, the water is clear and you feel like you’re a world away even though you’re just off the mainland of Australia. You might be able to still see the mainland in the distance.
Try some island hopping to these destinations for day trip, or make it an island getaway for a few days.
Tiwi Island, NT
Not a widely known place, which makes it an even better destination. Located 100 kms north of Darwin, Tiwi Island is a completely unique part Australia.
Known for 2 things – fishing and the thriving local Aboriginal culture. Almost 90 per cent of the residents on the island are of Aboriginal descent and they’re open to teach you their customs and traditions on a range of guided tours.
On the other hand the fishing is world-class. There’s secluded fishing lodges with tailored fishing adventures for the hardcore angler. You can expect to find over 40 species of fish (like Barramundi, threadfin salmon, spanish mackerel, queenfish, golden snapper and saratoga). There’s a fishing conduct you must abide by, so stay away from sacred sites and follow the guidlines for the protection of wildlife and to help stop pollution.
The western side of the island is a secluded luxury accommodation – Tiwi Island Retreat – surrounded by Marine sanctuary, it’s known as a premiere barefoot destination.
You can expect different types of accommodation styles catering to a contemporary beach shack vibe, like ensuite ocean rooms for couples and luxury beachfront glamping tents.
Magnetic Island, Picnic Bay, QLD
North of Townsville city, a boat will take you to the iconic Picnic Bay jetty. Located on the south side of Magnetic Island, Picnic Bay is known for a relaxing island getaway for some fishing, swimming and snorkeling.
Rocky Bay is a hotspot for swimming and snorkelling. You can spot turtles and dugongs – consensus is it’s the best beach on Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island is mostly famous for the SS Adelaide shipwreck, it’s in Cockle Bay hidden behind mangroves 300-metres off-shore. It’s a pretty cool site partially submerged during low-tide and the top half of the ship has greenery growing on it. Beautiful dive and snorkel site as well. The SS Adelaide was working around Cockle Bay in 1916.
For thoes that love hitting balls, Picnic Bay has Magnetic Island’s only golf course.
Cocos (Keeling) Island, WA
On a map this island looks like it could be part of Indonesia instead of Australia. Cocos Island is also known as Cocos to the 600 residents, and visitors are capped at 144 at any given time.
The Cocos has the look of a tropical island getaway complete with white sands and crystal blue waters you can see 25-30 metres under you. It has the 7th largest marine sanctuary in the world with fish from the Indian and Pacific Ocean meeting in Cocos Island.
It has 500 species of fish, manta rays, green turtles, bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, and new species of fish like the Coco Pygmy Angelfish and an extremely rare dwarf fish, making this marine environment unique.
The island is made up of 27 islands that form an almost perfect circle – out of the 27, only 2 are inhabited (West and Home island) – but you can snorkel, fish, kite surf and dive in nearly all of them.
West Island has an airport and the World’s only golf course set over an international runway. This part of the island is just 10kms from end-to-end so you can get around by bike if you don’t mind the heat (and what work out). West Island is used as a base for the best fishing, snorkeling and kite surfing during trade wind season.
Home Island is perfect for the history buffs with their museum and visitor’s centre on your To-Do List. You can check out Oceania House, an 1893 federation style mansion and a look into the Clunies-Ross era. Home Island also has a shopping district and local markets of the Coco-Malay locals. When you’re walking around you should dress with respect to the customs of the locals and have your shoulders and knees covered.
