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Just 110 km up the coast from Adelaide, the third largest island in Australia sits 16km off of the shore. Kangaroo Island is an incredible world away from the mainland and can’t be fully enjoyed in a day or two. Exploring this treasure with its 26 designated parks, reserves and protected areas will take an extended visit. Its few towns and small population leave a huge area untouched. If you only have a few days, decide your itinerary before you go so that no time is wasted.

With a temperate climate throughout it, stunning landscapes and miles of untouched wilderness; it is no wonder that Kangaroo Island holds a magical appeal to visitors. Accessible by plane or ferry, there is a wide range of accommodation options for visitors, from rough camping to luxury.

The largest of the parks on the island, Flinders Chase National Park occupies 17% of the island and surrounds Ravine de Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. On the western end of Kangaroo Island, the cliffs were long the cause of shipwrecks before two lighthouses were constructed in Cape Du Couedic, within Flinders National Park, & Cape Borda. Although these lighthouses are isolated, they are accessible and many visitors are drawn to the rugged, wild coast. Weir’s Cove, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks are all contained within the park.

Set on Cape Bouguer, not only does Kelly Hill Conservation Park have terrific walking trails but also it is home to a magnificent network of limestone caves, the Kelly Hill Caves. Carved deep into the limestone, these caves hold a wealth of treasures. The spectacular stalagmites and stalactites; as well as the trove of fossils from animals that once lived, and currently live, on the island make the Kelly Hill Caves a wonderful place to explore.

The rare Australian Sea Lions live in a very large colony at Seal Bay. This colony is calculated to be about 10% of the world’s sea lion population. The accessibility of the sea lions allows visitors to get amazingly close to these creatures on guided tours. This amazing sanctuary was created in 1954 and the population of seals that breed here has exploded. Swimming and Fishing are strictly prohibited here so don’t be tempted.

Just off the treacherous coast of Kangaroo Island are a number of wrecks. Some of the wrecks took many lives and others took none. Three operating lighthouses make sure that dark chapter of the island’s mariner history does not repeat itself.

Agriculture, fishing, and tourism are the economic mainstays of Kangaroo Island. One restriction that visitors must adhere to is that they can bring no honey products or import bees. The island is home to the world’s only pure strain of Ligurian bees and they intend to keep it that way. It is also home to the only distillery of eucalyptus oil in South Australia.

Kangaroo Island is a multi-faceted island with delightful discoveries around every corner. It is a place you can immerse yourself in and you won’t ever want to leave.

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Hidden away a short 35km from Brisbane is one of Australia’s natural jewels, one of the world’s largest sand islands. The destination, spectacular Moreton Island, is an interesting 75-minute ferry ride from the Port of Brisbane but ultimately worth the journey. This is truly one of nature’s most stunning wonders.

Formed over approximately 6000 years ago, Moreton Island is a natural sand island located in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Recognized as an ecologically sensitive area, The Moreton Island National Park was created in 1966 and encompasses 98% of the island.

A wide variety of vegetation, wildlife and marine life call the island, and its surrounding waters home. This diversity makes the virtually untouched island an extremely popular destination for those seeking to be close to nature. There are four “towns” or settlements on the island therefore there are accommodations and tours available.

One of the most delightful activities that you can participate in occurs in the evening at the Tangalooma Resort. Wild dolphins come in to a feeding area in order to get fish from hands of guests. The experts determine how many people can take part in the feeding and the others watch from the jetty. Although the time that you get to spend with the dolphins is short, it is an exhilarating interactive experience.

Whale watching tours are becoming increasingly popular in this area. Tour companies take you out to see the majestic humpback whales at play during “whale season”, May to October. During the tours, a knowledgeable commentator will inform you about these amazing mammals. If you are fortunate, the whales will be performing their aquatic aerobics near the boat. The sight of a monstrous creature rising out of the ocean with apparent ease leaves you in awe of their power and grace.

You will see 4WD vehicles on Moreton Island and there are some great opportunities to see the island that way. The vehicles must have a permit before they are allowed on the island and there are areas where they are not allowed. If you drive, do remember that this beautiful area should be treated with respect and refrain from traveling off-road with wild abandon.

Camping on Moreton Island and hiking through the wonderful terrain is an excellent vacation. Permits for camping are available only on the mainland so be sure to get the permit before heading off on your vacation.

This island has so much to do and see that a day trip just won’t allow you to see it all. It is home to Mt Tempest, which at 280m, is reputed to be the world’s highest sand dune; Cape Moreton lighthouse constructed in 1857; the Blue Lagoon, the most accessible perched lake on the island; and about 40km of incredible beaches that tantalize and beckon to those that see them.

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The Sights of Fraser Island; from the unique sand dunes to the vibrant island forests, visitors will want to spend several days enjoying their stay here. The variety of landscapes found on the island is stunning; many are in stark contrast to another.

Having had its natural resources exploited for a century, sand mining and logging have been stopped and the island is healing and emerging into an eco-tourism destination. Amazingly the dense rainforests with examples of towering 1,000-year-old brush box and satinay has managed to deeply entrench itself in the sand. Pile Valley, the most heavily logged area on the island, lays claim to the most magnificent of these trees in its sub-tropic rainforests.

Lake McKenzie has become a magnet for tourists. Located near the town of Eurong and fed by rainwater, this perched lake sits 100 meters above sea level on a bed of tightly compact sand and organic matter. The crystal clear water and pristine, white beaches of almost pure silica along the shoreline beckon invitingly. There are campsites with amenities near the lake.

While on Fraser Island, you must experience the Champagne Pools. Along 75 Mile Beach the ocean beats on the rocks, cascading water over them creating frothy, bubbling pools from which the Champagne Pools get their name. Strong currents in the ocean make swimming outside of the pools dangerous.

Just a few kilometers from Happy Valley to the north, the spectacular Eli Creek provides visitors with a place to have a icy dip on a hot day. Fed from a natural aquifer several miles inland, the creek spills some 80 million liters of water per day into the ocean where it empties onto the beach. Walking along the boardwalk along the creek’s banks allows you to watch the fish swim against the current as they fight their way upstream, the amazing array of birds that habitat the area, and the eels and frogs.

There are so many wonderful sights on Fraser Island that a day trip is simply not long enough. This natural wonder has in turn spawned other natural wonders that will have you coming back time after time.

About 300 kms north of Brisbane lays Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. This island enjoys the company of such notable sites as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru National Park (the former Ayers Rock), Shark Bay, Kakadu National Park, the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, Wet Tropics of Queensland, Heard and McDonald Islands, and Macquarie Island as a World Heritage listed site. Fraser Island is indeed a gem among gems.

Before you set off to Fraser Island, you will have to do some planning. How are you getting there? If driving any vehicle other than a 4WD, how will you get around the island? Are you going to camp there? If so, plan your camping so that you are booked into the campsites in the areas that you want to visit. Would a commercial tour better suit you?

Easily accessible by vehicle barge, the island has much to explore and experience. Be forewarned, vehicle access to Fraser Island is restricted to 4WD vehicles that must have a vehicle access permit displayed on the windshield prior to on the island. The permits must be bought in advance and are good for one year from the date of purchase. The barge does accommodate foot traffic. If you want, you can rent a vehicle when you arrive but book it ahead.

If you decide that you want to camp on the island, you must have a camping permit. For easy access, the permits are available at a number of outlets as well as online. There are specific areas where you are allowed to camp so make sure that you know where you will be camping and how to get there. Formal campsites have water and toilets, as well as cooking areas. Informal campsites have no amenities. Camps known as walkers’ camps are small areas for walk-ins that are along the fascinating Fraser Island Great Walk. All camping must be in designated camping zones and all campers must have a permit.

The rules for camping are enforced because this is a very sensitive island. Booking your stay in advance is a must otherwise you may find that you have no where to stay. If you intend to have a fire, you must bring your own firewood and it must be milled off-cuts so that there is no introduction of pests or disease onto Fraser Island. Gathering twigs and deadfall on Fraser Island is illegal. If you prefer better amenities than camping can provide, there are a few commercial establishments.

To ensure that you and your family will get the most enjoyment from your visit to Fraser Island, make sure that you have researched it and planned accordingly. Make sure that you take first aid supplies and plenty of drinking water. Neither is available on the island.