Island Escapes: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Island Getaways in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji & Tahiti

It’s time to escape to paradise!

Dreaming of overwater bungalows, beach fun with family, or diving in amazing coral reefs? The islands of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti have you covered! Whether you’re a foodie, outdoor enthusiast, or beach lover, you'll find your perfect island vibe here.

Check out these seven stunning islands across  Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti:

1. Lizard island 

2. Hamilton island 

3. Heron island

4. Kangaroo island 

5. Waiheke Island 

6. Bora bora

7. Matangi Private Island, Fiji  

Choosing the perfect island for your getaway can be challenging with many incredible destinations. 

Let this guide assist you in making the right choice (although you can’t go wrong with any of them!)...

1. Lizard Island, Australia – Luxury and Underwater Wonders

Lizard Island is a haven of luxury and marine adventure situated on the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. With just one exclusive resort, it combines seclusion, sophistication, and stunning natural beauty.

Why Stay Here:

• Luxury: The Lizard Island Resort is renowned for its beachfront suites and private villas, complete with panoramic ocean views and direct beach access.
  

• Snorkeling: Explore the famous Cod Hole, where you can swim alongside enormous potato cod and vibrant coral gardens right off the beach.
  

• Exclusivity: This secluded Queensland paradise boasts 24 pristine white-sand beaches. This exclusive northern resort offers an unforgettable and unparalleled tropical escape for a select number of guests.
  

• Dining: Perched high above the surrounding rainforest and river, the open-sided Tree House Restaurant offers a unique dining experience.

Travel Tips: Snorkel the Clam Gardens close to the resort and explore the Island’s many walking tracks for amazing views. 

2. Hamilton Island, Australia – Fun for All Ages

Part of the Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island is a vibrant hub with accommodations for every budget, from luxury resorts to family-friendly hotels.

Why Stay Here:

• Variety: From the boutique adults-only Beach Club Hamilton Island to the freestanding, luxury qualia Windward Pavilions, there are so many gorgeous hotel options to choose from
  

• Family Fun: Kids will love the wildlife park, go-karting, and mini-golf, while parents can unwind at the spa.
  

• Food & Wine: Try a leisurely breakfast or dinner served poolside at the exclusive Beach Club Restaurant.
  

• Adventure: This mostly car-free island boasts extensive bushland and coral reef-lined coasts. Wildlife tours provide opportunities to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras. Hiking trails ascend to Passage Peak in the east, rewarding visitors with panoramic views of the neighboring islands.

Travel Tip: Take the “Journey to Heart” helicopter reef trip for a James Bond-esque experience and see the beautiful Heart Reef

3. Heron Island, Australia – Nature’s Playground

Located on the southern Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island is perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in marine life. This coral cay is situated directly on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, allowing for immediate access to an expansive coral garden just off the beach. 

Why Stay Here:

• Exclusivity: Heron Island provides a unique reef experience exclusively for its guests, a rarity among global resorts. Unlike other destinations, no development obstructs the natural skyline or permits crowds of day visitors.

• Snorkeling: The waters surrounding the island are abundant with vibrant fish and diverse marine life. The reef provides access to coral gardens teeming with turtles, rays, and colorful fish.

• Wildlife Encounters: Depending on the season, you may witness turtle nesting and hatching.
  

• Eco-Friendly: The island’s resort prioritizes sustainability, offering guided reef walks and eco-tours.
  

• Tours: Check out guided birdlife walks, guided island ecology walks, or guided reef walks

Travel Tip: Visit between November and March to see baby turtles make their way to the sea.

4. Kangaroo Island, Australia – Wilderness and Wine

Just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is a nature lover's paradise, known for wildlife, rugged coastlines, and gourmet experiences.

Why Stay Here:

• Wildlife Adventures: Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park or go on a 4WD safari to get close to native animals in the wild.
  

• Food & Wine: Sample local cheeses, honey, and wines on a tasting tour. Don’t miss the Kangaroo Island Spirits for award-winning gin.
  

• Luxury Retreats: Choose from elegant lodges with ocean views or cozy cottages surrounded by bushland.
  

• Outdoor Activities: Take a 4WD tour and ride through a eucalyptus forest to observe koalas, prime farmland to the North Coast, the habitat of the world's rarest cockatoo, and seek out wallabies and kangaroos in their natural environment.

Travel Tip: For nature lovers, Flinders Chase National Park serves as a crucial breeding ground for the endangered Cape Barren Goose and shelters a diverse array of wildlife. This includes kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas, echidnas, koalas, platypus, and numerous bird species.

5. Waiheke Island, New Zealand – The Wine Lover’s Paradise

Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke Island is famed for its vineyards, olive groves, beaches, and artistic vibe.

Why Stay Here:

• Food & Wine: Visit award-winning wineries like Mudbrick and Cable Bay, known for their robust reds and exceptional dining.
  

• Art & Culture: Explore the island’s many galleries or catch a local theater performance.
  

• Beaches: Onetangi Beach offers a long, sandy stretch ideal for swimming and beachcombing.
  

• Luxury: Experience stylish lodging and exceptional service at The Boatshed. Its beautifully designed guest rooms boast bay views, complemented by ample outdoor dining areas for enjoying meals al fresco.

Travel Tip: Beyond vineyard visits and beach outings, enjoy a relaxing walk! The well-maintained coastal path system offers excellent hiking opportunities, from a brief 40-minute headland stroll to a more extensive 4-hour trek.

6. Bora Bora, Tahiti – Romance in Paradise

Known for its iconic overwater bungalows and crystal-clear lagoon, Bora Bora is a dream destination for couples.

Why Stay Here:

• Luxury Overwater Bungalows: Stay at the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, Overwater Bungalow for direct lagoon access and unparalleled luxury.
  

• Romance: Enjoy private dinners on the beach and spa treatments with the peaks of Otemanu and Pahia rising in the distance.
  

• Snorkeling: Spot rays and reef sharks while snorkeling around the coral gardens.
  

• Cultural Experiences: Learn traditional Tahitian dance or take a cooking class to master local dishes and soak up the relaxed Polynesian way of life!

Travel Tip: Don’t miss a sunset cruise on a traditional outrigger canoe.

7. Matangi Private Island, Fiji – A Secluded Slice of Heaven

Located in the Northern Islands of Fiji, Matangi Private Island is a boutique resort perfect for honeymooners and those seeking solitude. Matangi Island, recognized by Islands Magazine as a top ten private island globally, was also highlighted in Patricia Schultz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."

Why Stay Here:

• Privacy: With just a handful of bures (traditional Fijian huts) and treehouses, it’s an intimate escape.

• Luxury: Stay at the 4.5-star, family-owned Matangi Private Island Resort, located on a remote 240-acre horseshoe-shaped Fijian island with virgin rainforest and white sand beaches.
  

• Snorkeling: The Horseshoe Bay marine reserve offers pristine coral reefs just offshore.
  

• Local Culture: Experience a traditional kava ceremony or a beachside Fijian feast.
  

• Relaxation: Unwind in a hammock under swaying palms or indulge in a massage at the spa.

Travel Tip: Book a beachfront bure for the best sunrise views.

Let’s Plan Your Ideal Island Getaway!

From the luxurious Lizard Island to family-friendly Hamilton Island, and the wine and wildlife havens of Waiheke and Kangaroo Islands, island life is a dream! Whether you seek a romantic holiday, outdoor adventure, or simply want to unwind with your loved one, these island paradises are waiting.

Contact us at Aspire Down Under and let’s get started!