Off the coast 110 km North of Townsville. This large island (nearly 650 square km) has great beaches and walks. The island scenery is spectacular, with a peak (Mount Bowen) rising to 1,142 m, rainforests along the western shore, miles of bays and sandy beaches along the eastern shore, and mangrove swamps. There’s also a host of wildlife, including exotic butterflies. The only snag? Mozzies and sandflies – so be sure to bring plenty of strong insect repellent, especially if you are planning to set off for a few days on the 32-km East Coast Walk, staying at campsites along the way (camping permit and self-sufficiency are essential). Hardy and expert hikers might like to try climbing the peak, where you can still see the remains of a US plane that crashed into the mountainside during the Second World War.

The best way to see the island is by boat. There are all kinds of trips available from simple day trips with snorkelling, to longer cruises around the coast. They all set out from Cardwell (www.hinchinbrookislandcruises.com.au).

At the northern tip of the island there’s a luxury resort, where you can stay on the beach or on the lake Port Hinchinbrook Resort (www.porthinchinbrook.com.au/resort). The finest sight on the island is Zoe Bay, which also has an idyllic waterfall.