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10 Aussie islands you can privately book – for less than you think

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Think private islands are only reserved for billionaires? Think again.

There’s nothing better than gathering your best mates and heading off on the ultimate unforgettable holiday. But battling it out for the best campsites, spreading across hotel rooms or lining up for hostel bathrooms can quickly become a buzzkill.

Thankfully, there’s a group-friendly alternative that ticks every box. Dotted around Australia, there are an array of dreamy island escapes designed to keep everyone together without compromising on space. Don’t let the pricetag scare you either – when split between friends, these exclusive retreats are far more attainable than you might expect.

1. Haggerstone Island, Qld

Total cost: From $6800 per night
Individual cost: $566 per person

Haggerstone Island, Qld
Haggerstone Island is surrounded by stunning turquoise waters. (Image: Mark Fitz)

Around 600 kilometres north of Cairns, Haggerstone Island is a privately owned escape tucked into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Featuring five beachfront villas, the resort offers group bookings for up to 12 guests, providing total privacy and exclusive access to the entire island.

Spend your days snorkelling the reef’s colourful folds, taking helicopter flights to secret waterfalls or lazing in the sun on your private deck before settling into your luxurious villa come nightfall. All meals are catered for, with a rotating menu that features locally caught seafood and produce grown on the island.

2. Picnic Island, Tas

Total cost: $16,000 per night with a three-night minimum
Individual cost: $2000 per night or $6000 for three nights

Picnic Island, Tas
Picnic Island is backdropped by the granite peaks of The Hazards. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

Just off Tasmania’s stunning Freycinet Peninsula, Picnic Island is quietly lapped by the deep-blue waters of Coles Bay. The island’s cosy retreat sleeps up to eight guests across four spaces, plus a suspended fireplace and private chef for cosy nights in.

Picnic Island, Tas
Wake up to waterfront views across Coles Bay. (Image: Aaron Jones)

Picnic Island delivers a truly authentic taste of Tassie, including wildlife encounters with the island’s resident shearwaters, seals and penguins. With boardwalks, elevated walking trails, an expansive outdoor deck and views across The Hazards, it’s all about showcasing the state’s natural beauty.

3. Louth Island, SA

Total cost: From $2500 per night (private retreat)
Individual cost: $250 per person

Rumi on Louth, SA
Settle in under a cabana on your own private beach.

Only accessible by boat, Louth Island just a few kilometres off the coast of Port Lincoln in SA’s Eyre Peninsula. Once a humble sheep property, it became home to Rumi on Louth in 2023, a luxurious eco-resort offering pristined beaches, walking tracks, catamaran cruises, cooking masterclasses, a day spa and hatted restaurant.

Rumi on Louth, SA
The private retreat at Rumi on Louth sleeps up to 10 guests.

While it can’t be booked exclusively, guests needn’t worry about disruptions. The 10-guest private retreat is perfect for larger groups seeking seclusion. Separated from all other lodgings, it features one queen-size and eight king-single rooms, as well as two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living area and private deck.

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4. Wilson Island, Qld

Total cost: From $11,000 per night
Individual cost: $611 per person

Wilson Island, Qld
Go completely off-grid during your stay on Wilson Island. (Image: Descent Productions)

Tucked into a secluded coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef, adults-only Wilson Island comprises nine safari-style tents that can be exclusively booked for up to 18 guests. Approximately 80 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone, there is no such thing as mobile reception or wi-fi here, allowing guests to go fully off-grid.

Wilson Island, Qld
Keep an eye out for (and a respectful distance from) nesting turtles. (Image: Katie Purling)

Days on Wilson Island are filled with ocean-based activities like snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. Time your visit right and you could share the island with green and loggerhead turtles, who use its sheltered shores for nesting and hatching from November to March.

5. Lord Howe Island, NSW

Total cost: From $8660 per night (Signature Experience)
Individual cost: $1082.50 per person

Lord Howe Island, NSW
Lord Howe Island is known for its lush rainforests and crystal-clear seas. (Image: Jonny Fuhri)

Lord Howe Island is another one of those places that can’t be booked out exclusively but is well worth the trip anyway. Often called the Hawaiʻi of Australia and described as “so extraordinary, it’s almost unbelievable" by Sir David Attenborough himself, only 400 people can visit at any one time.

Island House on Lord Howe Island, NSW
Slip into solitary bliss at Island House. (Image: Anson Smart)

For complete privacy and total immersion, Island House offers two retreats for just eight guests, surrounded on all sides by Kentia palms and Banyan trees. The design-led property is luxury at its finest, with fireplaces, outdoor baths, sprawling gardens, chef-prepared meals and daily cleaning services included in its Signature Experience.

6. Satellite Island, Tas

Total cost: From $2950 per night (for two guests)
Individual cost: $1475 per person ($550 per extra)

Satellite Island, Tas
You’ll have the whole of Satellite Island to yourself. (Image: Jason Charles Hill)

Swap reef tides for cosy vibes on Satellite Island, a little slice of paradise off Tasmania’s south-east coast. Arriving via vehicular ferry or chartered helicopter, up to eight guests are welcome at the island’s exclusive lodgings, which includes the Summerhouse, Boathouse and luxury bell tent.

Satellite Island, Tas
Spend evenings snuggled up by the outdoor firepit. (Image: Adam Gibson)

For the duration of your stay, you’ll have the entire place – and its exclusive experiences – to yourself. This includes an endless supply of wild oysters and gourmet breakfast provisions, plus access to the kitchen garden and orchard. Guests also have free use of all fishing equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga mats and board games.

7. Makepeace Island, Qld

Total cost: $19,950 (first eight guests)
Individual cost: $2493 per person

Makepeace Island, Qld
Heart-shaped Makepeace Island sits in the middle of Noosa River.

It’s all in the name at Makepeace Island. The heart-shaped haven near Noosa is as peaceful as it gets, where wild beauty meets true luxury. Hands-on types can enjoy cooking classes, tennis, kayaking and cocktail making, while others may opt for beach picnics, nature walks and relaxed afternoons at the pool or onsite library.

And for the cherry on top? A quick boat ride and you’ll be in the heart of Australia’s most-loved town of 2025. Explore its burgeoning dining scene, breathtaking beaches and UNESCO-listed sites before heading back to your own slice of paradise on a bend in the Noosa River.

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8. The Lilypad, NSW

Total cost: From $2250 (four-night package)
Individual cost: $1125 per person

The Lilypad, NSW
While technically not an island, The Lilypad offers the same peace and quiet. (Image: Destination NSW)

Bobbing on the bay between Palm Beach and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, The Lilypad is an all-inclusive, fully serviced floating villa for more intimate stays, accommodating up to 10 people for events but sleeping just two. While technically not an island, it offers the same privacy, seclusion and total exclusivity.

The Lilypad, NSW
The interior palette is inspired by chic coastal living. (Image: Coco Republic)

Coastal-inspired interiors combine with five-star luxury, complete with a fireplace, infrared sauna, catered meals and onboard massages. The outdoor deck is designed for long days in the summer sun – whether you laze on a lounger or make use of the paddleboards, there’s little more to do but sit back and enjoy the view.

9. Pumpkin Island, Qld

Total cost: From $4250 per night
Individual cost: $125 per person

Pumpkin Island, Qld
Dive into a tropical escape on private Pumpkin Island. (Image: James Vodicka)

Just 14 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon, Pumpkin Island looks just as cute as it sounds. Five self-catering cottages and two beach bungalows sleep up to 34 guests, plus shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen and optional catering packages.

Pumpkin Island, Qld
Up to 34 guests can stay on the island, paying just $125 each per night. (Image: Appleton Studios)

Complete beach access means activities like snorkelling, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking are available around the clock. The private island also acts as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, so you can experience one of Australia’s natural wonders right on your doorstep. 

10. Fraser Island Retreat, Vic

Total cost: Price upon booking

Gippsland Lakes, Vic
The Gippsland Lakes region of Victoria does island getaways a bit differently. (Image: Getty/Tracie Louise)

You’ll find Fraser Island Retreat in Victoria’s gorgeous Gippsland Lakes region, just a 10-minute drive from Lakes Entrance. The exclusive escape is perfect for big family trips, with an 11-bedroom homestead and an additional bunkhouse that sleeps up to 34 guests in total.

Inside, guests have complete reign of the grand dining hall, refrigerator room, wine cellar, lounge area and fully equipped kitchen. Outside, enjoy a wraparound verandah, nine-hole golf course, pool with gazebo and two tennis courts. The best part? You’ll have it all to yourself.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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8 incredible hikes just outside of Melbourne

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

    Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

    1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

    Hanging Rock Summit Walk
    Take in views across the Macedon Ranges.

    Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

    2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

    Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout
    Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

    The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

    3. Mount Alexander Traverse

    Mount Alexander Traverse
    Take in the serenity.

    Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

    4. Murmuring Walk

    Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes
    Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

    Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

    5. La Gerche Forest Walk

    La Gerche Forest Walk
    Walk into history on the La Gerche Forest trail.

    Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

    6. Sailors Falls Loop

    Sailors Falls Loop
    See these spectacular falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

    7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

    Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

    8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

    Mount Franklin Summit Walk
    Take in forests and waterfalls along the way to the top of Mount Franklin.

    An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

    The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.