Best of · ISLAND DAY TRIPS IN AUSTRALIA
The 15 best island day trips in Australia, with the pickup time, the hours on the road and what the price actually covers. Start at the top.
Take a 75-minute cruise from Brisbane or the Gold Coast to Moreton Island, then follow guides such as Ryan, Will, Jacob, or Darcy for snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, transparent-kayak paddling, 4WD beach and bush travel, and fast sand tobogganing. Lunch wraps, equipment, safety gear, and commentary are included.
“Enjoy ed all activities for different reasons. Great day!!!”
Take a 45-minute high-speed ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, then set your own pace for up to seven hours. Walk five National Park trails, swim, snorkel near White Rock, or choose a glass-bottom boat, snorkel gear, or picnic lunch package. English-speaking staff handle the boat transfer, while you explore independently.
“Loved the snorkelling and hike, was a wonderful experience!”
Take Big Cat’s air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns to Green Island for about six hours of beach time, rainforest walking, snorkeling, and reef viewing. Choose a glass-bottom boat, semi-submarine, or optional scuba and Seawalker activities. Alejandra and the wider crew have been praised for helpful service, while lunch is available as an upgrade.
“Was an enjoyable day. Loved the glass bottom boat ride on the reef.Did get my feet wet on the beach.”
Spend about 9 hours and 45 minutes exploring Bruny Island by comfortable vehicle and ferry. Taste cheese, beer, wine, oysters, honey, fudge and chocolate, then enjoy lunch at Adventure Bay. Guides such as Murray, Dan, Claire and Liam add local stories, humor and practical help along the way.
“Our Bruney Island tour was without a doubt, a highlight of our stay in Tasmania. Our driver, Paul, who is also our guide was friendly and informative with a with a great sense of humor. Our stops at the brewery, chocolate factory, and honey farm were lovely. Our other stops at the neck and rainforest showed off the beauty diversity of this island. The included lunch was outstanding with views overlooking the island. I would highly recommend this full day tour if you have a free day in Hobart.”
Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island in an air-conditioned coach with a local driver-guide. Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, Cowes, and the Nobbies before watching Little Penguins return from the sea. The 9.5-hour outing includes general Penguin Parade viewing, reserve entry, live commentary, and a maximum group size of 38.
“It’s a long drive from Melbourne to see this beautiful place and well worth the time. Plan on something to do to occupy yourself on the bus. Make sure you have a wire for your phone (usb, not c). The bus rows do not allow for a great deal of leg room. The penguin parade is charming and will delight all age groups”
Spend a full day on Moreton Island with Australian Sunset Safaris, riding a 4WD to the Tangalooma Wrecks for snorkeling, transparent kayaking, and sandboarding. Guides such as Michelle, Ryan, Darcy, Will, and Jacob have helped make the activities friendly and well managed. Expect a long travel day, a beach picnic, and extra national park and ferry fees.
“A great day but the travelling time was long - bus about 45 min then 11/2 hr ferry. The activities were well organized, safe and a lot of fun. Highly recommend!”
Leave Melbourne in the afternoon for Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s famous sunset penguin parade. A guide such as Travis, Josh, or Adam leads the small group, shares wildlife facts, and helps you find the best viewing spots. Expect a long evening, chilly coastal air, and about eight hours on the road.
“Our tour guide Travis was very engaging & enthusiastic which was contagious. Although the day was rainy the experience at the sanctuary Amazing - the koalas, wallabies and kangaroos were awesome!!! They were all friendly and the experience of petting and feeding them was memorable. This tour is something everyone coming to Australia should experience.”
Take a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, where you’ll receive a $25 lunch voucher, use the pools and beach, and join a guided 45-minute ATV ride through bushland and along the sand. A safety briefing and training suit beginners. Finish with a dolphin presentation before the 4pm ferry home.
“Great fun with excellent tour guides. Good family fun”
Cruise 75 minutes from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island, use the resort pools and beach, then join a guided 90-minute wreck snorkel with about 30 to 35 minutes in the water. Equipment, wetsuit, lunch voucher, boat drink, and dolphin presentation are included. Guides may vary, with past standouts including Prea, Abby, Hugo, and Charlotte.
“It was amazing. The guided snorkelling was great saw lots of fish and swam in between the wrecks. Our guide Hugo was fabulous and very knowledgable about all the different fish and was sure to point it out. Equipment was great as well.”
Spend a full day on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island with local guides such as Ivy, Jack, and Anton. Ride the ferry from Brisbane, walk the North Gorge, watch for whales, dolphins, turtles, kangaroos, and koalas, then swim at Cylinder Beach before sunset at Amity Point.
“Phenomenal! Incredible nature, stunning views and an amazing tour guide, Jack :)”
Spend about 9.5 hours with an English-speaking guide on Phillip Island, visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve, Cowes, and the Nobbies before watching little penguins return from the sea. The Penguin Plus platform offers a closer view than general admission. Guides may include Fiona, Craig, Vicky, Ben, or Linda.
“The Penguin viewing is excellent but the visit at Cowes is super boring and nothing to do. It is suggested to include places in the tour which is more interesting and memorable. The tour guide John is very helpful and friendly. He introduced a lots about the places during the tour. Overall, the trip was good.”
Cruise 75 minutes from Brisbane to Moreton Island, then spend the day at Tangalooma Island Resort. Your $109 ticket includes a lunch voucher, resort facilities, a 4WD Desert Safari with sand tobogganing, a boat drink, Eco Ranger activities, and the Discover the World of Dolphins video. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and clothes that can handle sand.
“Excursion très agréable. Si vous vous déplacez en transport en commun prévoyez un temps suffisamment long pour se rendre jusqu'à la marina. Ce prix comprend le déplacement en ferry. La luge sur sable est activité très sympa, même si le sable colle partout.”
Travel by ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, then join a three-hour catamaran cruise for humpback whale watching. An Eco Ranger provides commentary, and a light lunch is served onboard. You also receive resort access, a boat-transfer drink, and a dolphin presentation, though most of your day is spent at sea rather than on the island.
“enjoyable trip! saw lots of whales and the weather was great. recommend sitting on the top deck for a full panoramic view! lots of whales playing around the boat!”
Spend a full day touring Kangaroo Island by ferry and luxury bus, with a local driver-guide, Birds of Prey show, eucalyptus distillery lunch, honey tasting, and wine at False Cape Wines. It suits you if you want the island’s food, drink, and family-run attractions in one long day from Adelaide.
“The guide and driver were incredibly considerate and hospitable. The itinerary could benefit from including more local scenery spots.”
Spend nine hours traveling from Brisbane to Moreton Island by catamaran, then explore the Tangalooma Wrecks with either an introductory or certified scuba session. Your $197 ticket also includes snorkel gear, a kayak hour, stand-up paddleboard hire, land sports, pools, showers, and resort facilities. Food, drinks, and road transfers cost extra.
Pick a coastline, a mountain pass, a ruin or a cellar.
