Most travellers need some down time as part of their trip so why not incorporate one of Australia’s islands into your visit.

Australia has in fact over 8000 islands and whilst you wouldn’t want to visit every single one, there is something to please everyone.

There are islands that are great for the classic tropical island getaway, others that are better for walking, those that are great for the food and wine buff and those that are more value for money or better for a family.

The Whitsundays are probably the most famous of the Australian Island Getaways. They are however well and truly on the tourist trail and are very expensive. Still worth the visit though! This article will instead focus on two islands that are very popular with the locals and are not as well trodden by the tourist.

Queensland’s Magnetic Island

This island is 12km from Townsville which is in Queensland. There is a lot to be said for taking this island getaway as it offers pristine beaches for a fraction of the cost of most of Queensland’s islands, particularly when compared against the Whitsundays.

This is the place for you if you want to lounge on a beach, go swimming, snorkel or even do a bit of walking. Magnetic Island has its own National Park and you can’t miss Mount Cook which protrudes from its centre. The bays are a plenty and very pretty with some lovely walks to enjoy. It’s also popular with families as there are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy.

If you fancy some water sports action then there is plenty to choose from on Magnetic Island. Sailing around the secluded bays is a popular choice, as is sea kayaking. It is also an excellent place to learn to dive as it is relatively inexpensive compared to many areas and the marine life is excellent. For those wanting to stay dry, then why not have a go at horse-riding at Horseshoe Bay.

Another good thing about the island is that it is small enough to drive around in just half a day, but still big enough to offer good amenities including shops and reasonably priced accommodation.

Getting around the island is easy. There’s a small bus service, you can hire bikes as well as cars. The petrol on the island is a bit pricey though. You can also hire “mokes” These are like small minis and are a great way to get around the island.

There’s lots of beaches to choose from here but the nicest are probably Florence Bay and Balding Bay. Spend a day at Balding Bay sun bathing and snorkeling. Bring your own food and use the barbie facilities here. Horseshoe bay offers the longest of the island’s beaches and is a good place to rent kayaks.

Hinchinbrook Island

If relaxing on the beach is not really your thing and you prefer a bit more adventure, then try Hinchinbrook Island. It is famous for the Thorsborne Track which is 32km of moderately demanding hiking. You’ll see some beautiful waterfalls, mangroves and beaches.

The trek itself takes about 2 days but that doesn’t give you any time to stop off and take in your surroundings. If you don’t mind camping, then take your time and enjoy the sites. The trek runs north south and whilst you can do the trek in either direction, it’s better to finish in the north. Here you will find the Wilderness Lodge, the only real accommodation on the island. It has a bar and a pool which you will probably be ready for after your trek.

The entire walk is stunning but the highlights are probably Zoe Falls and the stretch between Ramsay Bay and Nina Bay which follows the coastline and takes you through rainforests.

You can just come here for a day trip and stay at the Wildnerness lodge. If you fancy the walk, then make sure you book well in advance. This gets booked up and numbers onto the island are restricted.

The best time to come is between June to October when there is less rain. Outside of this time is the wet season so expect lots of rain. In particular avoid February and March when it is at its worst and no ferries run.

The Real Australia Travel website (see below) features another 13 island getaways for you to choose from. It also gives accommodation ideas for Magnetic Island.