Gladstone Region - Easy access to islands

The Great Barrier Reef, a network of 2,900 coral reefs and more than 1000 islands stretches for 2000 kilometres off the coast of north Queensland. As well as being a World Heritage listed treasure, its islands topped with pristine rainforest, white beaches and fringed with coral gardens create a pleasure playground. People often marvel that the attractions of the islands can be so diverse: simply, there seems to be an island to suit every interest! And they are readily accessible from so many mainland points.

Heron Island, off Gladstone is a nature-lovers retreat, rich in bird life. Rather than take a day trip from the island to a coral reef, you can step right off the sand into coral gardens. Its fragile marine ecology means it is not an island for day trippers; you just have to stay there!
Beautiful Dunk Island is quickly accessible, just seven kilometres from Mission Beach, which lies between Townsville and Cairns. Fitzroy Island is readily accessible from Cairns - just a 45 minute catamaran trip. Exclusive Double Island is also a quick zip over the waves from Cairns, while magnificent Green Island is a slightly longer 45 minute catamaran trip from Cairns. Then there's Magnetic Island - an easy eight kilometres off the coast of Townsville.

The Bundaberg region marks the southern start of the Great Barrier Reef region and provides access points for Lady Elliott island, 80 kilometres from the mainland. Lady Elliott has a rich eco-system and is renowned as one of the world's best scuba-diving spots.