This archipelago of 74 islands is scattered jewel-like in the Coral Sea, between the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland coast. It's a world of perfect blue, interspersed with lush green islands and sandy coral quays.
In a nutshell
Many of the islands are completely private, part of pristine national parks, and you can spend your holiday untroubled by day trippers, experiencing a taste of island paradise.
A visit to the Great Barrier Reef is, of course, essential. Some of the islands have reefs accessible from the beach - all you need is some snorkelling gear.
Dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles are common here, and migrating humpback whales visit from Jul-Sep. After a while, it seems the most normal thing in the world to see a dolphin or a whale cause a splash!