• With international borders set to stay closed into 2022, Australians are spending the money they’ve saved during the pandemic locally.
• As travellers seek to replicate experiences they might have had overseas, Tourism Australia has shared a list of nine Australian islands that can be hired for exclusive use.
• Here’s a list of luxury island escapes that will help recreate a blowout European getaway.
• Visit Business Insider Australia’s homepage for more stories.

Closed international borders have seen domestic spending surge — March 2021 alone saw a 4.3% increase in household spending, the second-highest quarterly increase since ABS records began.

While the tourism sector has been hit by the absence of international travellers, domestic tourism has rebounded (despite the threat of snap lockdowns), with 61% of Australians saying they planned to travel in the first half of 2021.

Tourism Australia is taking full advantage, championing this list of luxury island escapes that will help recreate a blowout European escape.

1. Satellite Island, Tasmania

Just next to the better known Bruny Island, rugged Satellite Island offers travellers access to 34 hectares of native bush, sea cliffs, and pebble beaches.

Sharing the island with its resident deer and a pair of white breasted sea eagles, the island can only be reached by driving an hour-and-a-half south of Hobart to the coastal town of Kettering, catching a ferry to Bruny Island, then taking a private boat on the final leg. Alternatively, a 20-minute helicopter journey takes you directly there.

Exclusive hire of the island starts from $2,420 a night for two guests (with a minimum two night stay), and can accommodate up to eight guests. Kayaks, snorkels, stand up paddle boards, fishing rods and board games are available — alternatively you can take a book to the water’s edge and watch the sunset over neighbouring Bruny Island.

2. Picnic Island, Tasmania

Just around the corner from Wineglass Bay in Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park, tiny Picnic Island is a haven for nature lovers.

Up to 10 guests can stay in the island’s copper clad lodge, which can be reached by flying into either Launceston or Hobart and driving just over two hours to Coles Bay. Once again, if you’re looking for a more elevated experience, a seaplane can fly direct to the island. Exclusive island hire starts from $2,200 per night.

The island’s managers recommend catching fish fresh from the ocean, amid the majestic backdrop of the pink granite Hazards mountain range. For those looking for an immersive experience, you can take an overnight trip to view penguins and shearwaters returning to their burrows at night.

3. Tiwi Island Retreat, Northern Territory

This off-the-beaten-track destination has a rich Indigenous culture.

The two main islands, Bathurst and Melville, sit alongside nine smaller, uninhabited islands, 100km north of Darwin. Stay on the remote South West coast of Bathurst Island with Tiwi Island Resort from $500 a night, to experience some of the Northern Territory’s best fishing, adventure and Indigenous arts and cultural experiences.

A 20-minute flight from Darwin International Airport will take you directly there, flying over the Beagle Gulf and Bathurst Island.

4. Makepeace Island, Queensland

Off the Sunshine Coast, heart-shaped Makepeace Island is also Richard Branson’s private hideaway.

The island can host up to 20 guests with onsite facilities including tennis courts, swimming pools, water sports and yoga.

A private boat transfer from Noosa Heads takes guests directly to the island, where prices start from $18,000 per night, including airport transfers, limitless river transfers, all meals, beverages and full access to the island facilities.

For those looking to venture further afield, walks through the World Heritage listed Fraser Island and Great Sandy National Park, beach horse riding on North Shore’s white sand dunes, are highly recommended.

5. Fraser Island Retreat, Victoria

Fraser Island Retreat, hidden away in the Gippsland Lakes around four hours’ drive from Melbourne, is a 100-year-old homestead that boasts 11 rooms, catering up to 38 people.

The island is available for exclusive hire from $2,500 per night, with access to a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a private beach.

6. Orpheus Island Lodge, Queensland

Orpheus is an all-inclusive, private island lodge located in the Great Barrier Reef; one of only a few secluded islands on the Reef that can be booked in its entirety for private use. With only 14 rooms, suites and villas, individual rooms are priced from $1,600 per night, and exclusive use of the resort is priced from $25,350 for up to 28 guests.

The island can be accessed via a 30-minute helicopter journey from Townsville over the reef.

7. Haggerstone Island Resort, Queensland

Also off the Great Barrier Reef, 800 kilometres north of Cairns, close to the northernmost tip of Queensland, Haggerstone is one of the most remote and private island resorts in Australia.

It accommodates just 12 guests, meaning you can easily book the whole place out for you and a group. Exclusive island hire starts from $6,800 per night, including all meals and island excursions.

The island offers a range of tailored excursions on its 45-foot jet boat, which is included in the accommodation cost, and allows guests to experience activities such as fishing, snorkelling over coral gardens, and beach combing to name a few. You can also book chartered helicopter visits to private waterfalls, mountainous sand dunes and other nearby attractions.

8. Bedarra, Queensland

Located on the Great Barrier Reef midway between Cairns and Townsville, Bedarra private resort is hidden amongst 45 hectares of tropical rainforest.

Accommodating a maximum of 20 guests, rates start from $1,390 per night, with exclusive use of the resort starting at $13,530 a night. On offer is an array of activities including sea kayaks, stand up paddle boards, fishing, tennis courts, rainforest walks, Great Barrier Reef snorkelling and scuba diving trips, deep sea fishing charters and scenic helicopter charters.

9. Lizard Island, Queensland

The northernmost resort on the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is completely secluded from the rest of the world. Located on a 1,013-hectare National Park surrounded by World-Heritage listed coral reefs, the 40 rooms are priced from $2,029 per night. Exclusive use of the entire resort is also available, prices available on request.

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