List of islands of Australia facts for kids

Australia is a huge country, and it has many islands! In fact, there are 8,222 islands within Australia's ocean borders. This article will tell you about some of the most important and interesting islands in Australia, grouped by their state or territory.

Australia's Biggest Islands

Here are Australia's largest islands, each bigger than 1,000 square kilometers:

• Tasmania (Tas) is the biggest, at 64,519 square kilometers.
• Melville Island in the Northern Territory (NT) is 5,786 square kilometers.
• Kangaroo Island in South Australia (SA) is 4,416 square kilometers.
• Groote Eylandt (NT) is 2,285 square kilometers.
• Bathurst Island (NT) is 1,693 square kilometers.
• Fraser Island in Queensland (Qld) is 1,653 square kilometers.
• Flinders Island (Tas) is 1,359 square kilometers.
• King Island (Tas) is 1,091 square kilometers.
• Mornington Island (Qld) is 1,002 square kilometers.

New South Wales Islands

Bird Island from above, 1996

Cockatoo Island, the largest island in Sydney Harbour, 2008

Lord Howe Island looking north, 2006

New South Wales has many islands, both in the ocean and in its rivers and lakes. Some are famous for their history, like Cockatoo Island, which used to be a prison. Lord Howe Island is a special, remote island far out in the Tasman Sea.

Northern Territory Islands

The Northern Territory has some of Australia's largest islands, including Melville Island and Groote Eylandt. These islands are home to unique wildlife and Indigenous communities.

Queensland Islands

A freshwater lake on Fraser Island, 2006

A beach on Great Keppel Island, 2007

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, 2008

Queensland is famous for its many beautiful islands, especially those along the Great Barrier Reef. K'gari, also known as Fraser Island, is the world's largest sand island! The Whitsunday Islands are also very popular for their stunning beaches and clear waters.

• Woody Island

South Australia Islands

Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, 2007

Greenly Island seen from the sea (around 1903)

Chinamans Hat Island from the nearby coast

Pearson Island from its south end (around 1914)

South Australia has many islands, with Kangaroo Island being the third largest in Australia. These islands are home to diverse wildlife and offer beautiful coastal views.

Ocean Islands

Murray River Islands

These islands are found within the Murray River in South Australia.

• Hindmarsh Island
• Mundoo Island
• Pomanda Island
• Rabbit Island, Coorong

Tasmanian Islands

A beach on Macquarie Island

Currie harbour on King Island, 2007

Tasmania is Australia's only island state. The main island of Tasmania is very large, but the state also includes 333 other smaller islands and islets! Here are some of the main islands in Tasmania that are larger than 100 hectares.

Victoria Islands

The west coast of Phillip Island, 2003

Victoria has islands along its coast and in its rivers. Phillip Island is very well known for its penguin parade, where little penguins come ashore each evening.

River Islands

• Beveridge Island
• Coode Island
• Gunbower Island
• Herring Island
• Jordan's Island
• Pental Island

Western Australia Islands

The Basin on Rottnest Island, 2003

A view of the Recherche Archipelago from Dempster Head

Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, 2011

Western Australia has over 1,000 islands! Many of them are grouped into archipelagos (groups of islands). Rottnest Island is a popular spot near Perth, known for its friendly quokkas.

Australian Territories Islands

Australia also has islands that are part of its territories, both within the country and far away.

Jervis Bay Territory

• Bowen Island

Australian Capital Territory

These islands are found in lakes and rivers within Australia's capital city, Canberra.

• Kingston Island
• Pine Island
• Queen Elizabeth II Island
• Spinnaker Island
• Springbank Island

External Territories Islands

Captain Cook lookout on Norfolk Island, 2007

Australia has several "external territories," which are islands located far from the mainland. These include famous places like Christmas Island and Norfolk Island.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Islas de Australia para niños

• List of islands
• List of islands in the Pacific Ocean
• List of islands in the Indian Ocean
• List of islands of Asia
• List of Torres Strait Islands