4 Aussie islands you can book exclusively, for less than you think

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

There’s nothing better than gathering a group of your best mates and heading off for a summer holiday. But battling it out for campsites, squeezing into tiny hotel rooms or lining up for the hostel bathroom can rain on the parade a little.

What if you could rent an entire private island instead? That’s right, there are several stunning islands around Australia that can be completely booked out by you and your mates. And before you assume it’s too expensive, you might want to take a look at these prices…

Three Hummock Island

Three Hummock Island
Three Hummock Island features a wild, untouched coastline.

One of the most idyllic to book is Three Hummock Island off the north-west coast of Tasmania. Accessed only via boat or plane, this little slice of Tassie paradise can accommodate up to 12 guests across four bedrooms for approximately $180 each a night. You’ll have the 9307-hectare island to yourself, including a fully equipped kitchen (private chef included at an additional cost), indoor fireplace, barbecue and all toiletries/bathroom amenities. Spend your days surrounded by nature and wildlife, going bushwalking, wild swimming, and snorkelling before settling in by the firepit come evening.

Picnic Island

Picnic Island
You and your friends can enjoy the tranquillity of untouched beaches and a peaceful atmosphere.

A little further south you’ll find Picnic Island , just off the coast of Tassie’s picturesque Freycinet Peninsula. The secluded retreat, set in the tranquil waters of Coles Bay, offers stunning views of the granite mountains that form the backdrop of Freycinet National Park. It accommodates up to 10 guests across five bedrooms.

While rates depend on numbers, prices can be cheaper than some hotels (approximately $330 each, per night); and why have a private room when you can have an entire island to yourself? Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and seals who regularly visit.

Fraser Island Retreat

Fraser Island Retreat
This private haven offers the perfect setting for relaxation and creating unforgettable memories together.

Back on the mainland, you’ll find the lakeside Fraser Island Retreat in Victoria’s gorgeous Gippsland Lakes region. If you’re looking for something a little more luxe, this is the one for you. The charming homestead boasts 11 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 34 guests.

You’ll have access to a grand dining hall, refrigeration room, fully equipped kitchen, wine cellar, two tennis courts, a golf course and a pool with a gazebo. Current booking prices sit between $2500 and $3250 per night, meaning the maximum amount of guests would be paying just $74 to $96 each.

Pumpkin Island

Pumpkin Island
Pumpkin Island is a hidden gem in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If the Great Barrier Reef is more up your alley, check out Pumpkin Island , just 14 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon. With five self-catering cottages, two beach bungalows, shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen and optional catering packages, it comfortably accommodates up to 34 people.

Complete beach access means activities like snorkelling, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking are available around the clock. And at $4195 a night, it works out to be roughly $124 each a night.

Looking for something different off the Queensland coast? Pelorus Private Island , Orpheus Island , Bedarra Island , Makepeace Island , Wilson Island and Haggerstone Island are also available for private bookings.

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 visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Mornington Peninsula’s storied past: war, shipwrecks and a runaway convict 

    Kellie FloydBy Kellie Floyd
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    The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

    The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

    This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

    a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park
    Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

    Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

    Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

    a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay
    A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

    And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento
    Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

    Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

    Playing there

    an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse
    Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

    Eating there

    Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.