100 Things To Do You’ve Never Heard Of #019 Rent your own island

How many places in Australia let you inhabit an island all to yourself? Whether it’s diving, fishing, turtle watching, bird watching or just plain relaxing, the Mackerel Islands in WA’s far north are an ideal destination for the adventurous or the weary.
“WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS? IT SOUNDS AMAZING!” – Michelle

Of the ten islands that make up the Mackerel group, two provide lodgings: Thevenard Island and Direction Island. Direction is a small island with its own reef and just one cabin, allowing you to live out your wildest Robinson Crusoe dream, but with friends and family. World-class coral reefs, turquoise waters, a huge range of colourful reef fish and coral formations – and some of the best fishing the world has to offer. Lose yourself on Mackerel.
WHERE // WA’s Pilbara region, 22km offshore from Onslow. (08) 9184 6444 or www.mackerelislands.com.au for more info.

DID YOU KNOW? // On the road into Onslow, the mainland drop-off point for the Mackerel Islands, you’ll see thousands of termite mounds of varying sizes. During sunrise and sunset they’re almost glowing, with a dusty pink sky in the background.