We all know Australia is the worlds biggest island.   But what lies off the mainland coast are some of the most remote yet beautiful places in the world to visit.   Whether a Baby Boomer with a taste for adventure, or any traveler with a passion for something different, these remote specs in the ocean are some of the worlds most untouched and beautiful places to visit.

So here is a brief introduction to the islands of Australia;

Christmas Island. Christmas Island is the largest coral atoll in the world with an area of 248 square miles of which 125 square miles is land and the remainder lagoon. It is 2,015 miles from Tarawa, capital of the Republic of Kiribati; 1,335 miles from Honolulu; 4,000 miles from Sydney, Australia and 3,250 miles from San Francisco. It lies between longitude 157 degrees 10′ west and 157 degrees 34′ west and latitudes 1 degree 42′ north and 2 degrees 3′ north. It is 145 miles north of the equator.

Cocos Island. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the middle of the Indian Ocean some 2750km north-west of Perth, and 900km west south-west of Christmas Island, its closest neighbour. Cocos lies approximately 12° south and 96.5° east, locating the islands in the humid tropical zone. For more info click here or their tourism site.

Lord Howe Island. Lord Howe is widely regarded as the most beautiful island in the Pacific — is the closest island getaway to Sydney. It’s less than two hours flying from either Sydney or Brisbane off Australia’s east coast. It is one of just four island groups to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for the global significance of its natural beauty and heritage. Click here for more information.

Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is a volcanic South Pacific Island that lies between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia at 29′02º S and 167′56º E. It is approximately 600 miles from Auckland, 1000 miles from Sydney, 900 miles from Brisbane and 500 miles from New Caledonia. Click here for the Government website.

Macquarie Island. Macquarie Island is a sub-antarctic island located in the Southern Ocean, approximately half way between Australia and Antarctica.
Macquarie Island, or “Macca” as it is generally referred to, is a Tasmanian State Reserve managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Australia operates a research station at the northern end of the island from which a wide range of research is carried out. For the Government website click here.

Kangaroo Island. Here is an island seven times the size of Singapore, literally crawling with wildlife. The koalas aren’t being cuddled - they’re relaxing at home in native trees. The seals aren’t performing - they’re lazing beside you on the beach. There are echidnas, platypus, goannas, wallabies and kangaroos. All thriving. For more information click here.