My spa guide 'Spa destinations' brings you information on all the best day spas and health retreats in Australia. Focusing on Australia's beautiful island spas in paradise locations, we load you up with our useful facts. To choose your spa based on fellow Spa Seekers’ reviews and ratings – just click on the listings links.
Australia's island spas are hidden in rainforests, perched on sandy beaches and nestled between palm trees with a soundtrack of birdsong and lapping waves. Stay a while, swim, hike, explore, eat local produce and relax, an ocean away from all the hustle. Australia has over 8000* islands and while they vary from rocky, rugged wilderness to tropical and reef islands, pure white sand and rainforest, many of them have island spa resorts.
Queensland island spas:
Heron Island - a tiny island just off the Central Queensland coast, located right on a true coral cay. It’s perfect for diving, snorkelling and even hanging out with nestling turtles. You can make your way around the whole island in just 30 minutes.
Getting to Heron Island - Heron Island Resort lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, 72 km off the Queensland coast NE of Gladstone. Regular flights to Gladstone are available from both Brisbane and Cairns. Qantas flies to Brisbane and Cairns from all capital cities. Once at Gladstone, you have a choice of boat or helicopter transfers to get to Heron Island itself.
Heron Island has one Island spa: Aqua Soul Spa
Lizard Island - (Jigurru) A sacred island for the Dingaal Aboriginal people, Lizard Island is an exclusive resort for the well heeled. It’s right at the top of the Great Barrier Reef, 240km northeast of Cooktown. Diving and snorkelling are stunning here, while the islands boast mountains, a lagoon and jaw-dropping views and beaches.
Getting to Lizard Island - Flight transfers go direct from Cairns from all major capital cities and a seaplane company takes you out for the day from Cooktown.
Lizard Island has one island spa: Azure spa at Lizard island
Dunk Island - It’s all about the birds and butterflies at Dunk Island. Around 150 species are unique to this beautiful island 4.5km from Mission beach. If you want to feel you’ve really earned your pampering there is a challenging hike up Mt Kootoloo or the island circuit which takes you past beautiful beaches.
Getting to Dunk Island - A short 4.5km from Mission beach, QLD. Just over 2 hours south of Cairns which you can fly to direct from all major capital cities.
Dunk Island has one Island spa: Spa of Peace and Plenty
Magnetic Island - (Maggie) There is something so Australian about Magnetic Island. Just 8km from Townsville, it’s part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Half of the island is national park so it’s teeming with diverse wildlife. Plentiful bushwalks among the rainforest lead to craggy rocks sinking into the ocean - glorious.
Getting to Magnetic Island - 8 kms from Townsville, you can reach the island by car/passenger ferry, or water taxi. Virgin Blue and Jetstar fly to Townsville from most major capital cities.
Magnetic Island has one Island spa: Endota day spa - Magnetic Island
Stradbroke Island - (Straddie) Just one hour from Brisbane, North Stradboke Island is the most popular island in Moreton Bay's clear water stretch. Marine life spotting is a top activity up in the north side of the island with dolphins, turtles, humpback whales and manta rays popping by to say hi. You can also burn about in 4WDs, swim in the freshwater lakes or fish from boats in the ocean. You will be spoilt for choice with accommodation, cafes and restaurants on the island. Overall it’s a truly great island spa destination.
Getting to Stradbroke Island - Take the 30-minute water taxi, 45-minute car ferry or catamaran from Cleveland. Trains run direct from Brisbane to Cleveland.
North Stradbroke Island has one Island spa: Straddie day spa
Whitsunday islands
Without the ocean The Whitsundays are in fact a mountain range, the islands are the mountain peaks covered in coral, tropical reef and white sand. From Bundaberg in the south the marine park stretches all the way up to Cape York and everything in between is the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Of the 90 islands that make up the Whitsundays, only a few have amazing and secluded Island spa resorts in a balmy tropical climate.
Getting to the Whitsunday islands - Qantas, Virgin blue and Jetstar fly from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane into Hamilton island or Proserpine/Airlie beach (Mainland). To access the Whitsunday islands from Airlie beach/ Shute Harbour there are ferries, helicopters and sea planes.
Daydream Island - Only a short boat ride from Shute Harbour the beautifully small Daydream island can make a great holiday or simple day trip from the mainland. It’s only 1km long by 500m wide, offering panoramic views of the Whitsundays passage.
Daydream Island has one Island spa: The Rejuvenation spa
Hayman Island - 33km east of the mainland, between the coast and the Great Barrier Reef right in the Whitsunday passage. Teeming with wildlife, from wallabies, tropical fish and cockatoos to painted lorikeets and herons, Hayman Island is an oasis to really relax and unwind.
Hayman Island has one Island spa: Hayman Spa
Hamilton Island - You can drive around on buggies, snorkel, play golf so a great Island for the whole family. Everything is here on Hamilton Island, in fact it’s more like a little village than a remote Island, which is great for those in search of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.
Hamilton Island has one Island spa: Spa Qualia
Long Island - Smothered in rainforest, walking tracks and two beautiful spa resorts, Long Island offers paradise found for the nature lover.
Long Island has two island spas: Long Island Resort | Endota day spa Palm Bay
Brampton island - A stunning national park island located at the southern end of the world-renowned Whitsunday Island Passage. Rainforest meets sandy beaches, coral gardens, walking tracks and golf courses.
Brampton island has one Island spa: The Sea Spa
Victorian Island spas:
Phillip Island - Where Melbournians flock in the summer months, Phillip Island is home to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and Motorcyle Grand Prix. The Boonwurrung people settled here for the fishing and seafood and the island offers rugged ocean waves and calm bay beaches aplenty.
Getting to Phillip Island - Just over 2 hours drive south of Melbourne.
Phillip Island has one Island spa: The Island spa
New South Wales Island spas:
Lord Howes Island - If crystal lagoons and exquisite subtropical beaches float your boat then this island could be your secret paradise. Just less than a two hour flight from Sydney or Brisbane, Lord Howe Island is actually part of New South Wales. It’s included on the World Heritage Register for its history, beauty, flora and fauna.
Getting to Lord Howe Island - Qantaslink fly from Sydney and Brisbane.
Lord Howe Island has one Island spa: Arajilla Day Spa
* Not including the external territories
