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

Did you know that there are in fact over 8000 islands off the coast of Australia? Not all of them are worth visiting of course but there literally is an island to suit even the strangest of tastes.

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 most famous and probably most well known are the Whitsundays. These are totally stunning and well worth the expensive trip. But perhaps very much on the tourist trail. This article will look at two islands which offer the traveller something completely different and are off the usual tourist trail. In fact, it’s where the locals go.

Queensland’s Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is just 12km from Townsville which is in Queensland. It’s a favourite island with the locals because it is one of the most reasonably priced islands in Queensland, particularly when compared to the cost of a holiday in the Whitsundays.

This is the perfect place for lounging on the beach, swimming, snorkeling and perhaps a little bit of walking. It has its own National Park with Mount Cook protruding from its centre so there are plenty of pretty bays and small walks to enjoy. It would also be a good option if you have kids as there are plenty of activities that they can enjoy.[I:http://AerobedClassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/JenniferSchellington7.jpg]

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.

You can drive around Magnetic Island in half a day but it is still big enough to have enough shops and amenities. There is a good range of accommodation and it’s of a good standard.

Seeing the island is also straightforward. You can catch a bus or hire a bike. You can hire a car too but be warned, the petrol on the island is expensive. You can also hire a small mini-like car called a moke which is a great way to see the island.

Enjoy exploring the beaches. Horseshoe Bay has the longest beach and is the best place to hire kayaks from. The prettiest bays are probably Florence Bay and Balding Bay. It’s easy to spend a day at Balding Bay basking in the sun, swimming and snorkeling. There are also BBQ facilities here too so bring your own food.

Hinchinbrook Island

If you like your holiday to be a bit more adventurous and less about lazing around in the sun, then perhaps Hinchinbrook Island is the one for you. The big attraction here is the 32km Thorsborne Trail. This is a moderately demanding hiking track which takes in beaches, mangroves and waterfalls.

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 walk is very picturesque. Zoe Falls are particularly stunning as is the section between Ramsay Bay and Nina Bay. This part of the walk takes in the coastline and Rainforests.[I:http://AerobedClassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/JenniferSchellington5.jpg]

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.

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