Not only beaches on the menu: The seven best Queensland islands for food

Discover Queensland’s must-visit foodie islands, where degustation dining, sustainable seafood and Indigenous-inspired fare is on the menu.

The Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort may best be known for its pool, but a foodie revolution has swept its palm-fringed shores. Executive chef Paul Lewis – drawing on his five-star resort background – is leading Hayman’s renewed culinary charge.

New to the luxury island resort are destination-inspired bespoke dining including guest chefs and winemaker partnerships and a meat-smoking room (a speciality of the hatted chef), while sustainable seafood including local coral trout and mud crab is on offer across the resort.

Choose from four restaurants including signature restaurant and bar Pacific, where native ingredients and local produce are spun into inspired dishes. Poolside bar Aqua offers casual bites like poke bowls washed down with fresh coconut juice. Amici serves up modern Italian, while Bam Bam is the island’s hip Asian-inspired eatery. Dining under the stars and private picnics on neighbouring islands are on offer too.

For foodies the ultimate experience is the “Chef’s Table”, where diners are treated to a five-course degustation menu in the main kitchen (with its secret underground tunnels leading to Hayman’s various food outlets). “We want to be recognised as a culinary destination on par with Sydney and Melbourne,” Lewis said. See

The busiest and most inhabited island in Queensland’s string of 74 islands is also a food lovers’ paradise.

Take your pick from beachside dining, hawker-style fare, soft shell tacos with margaritas to degustation dining under the stars.

There are 10 restaurants on offer including Asian fusion eatery Coco Chua, chef’s hatted Bommie at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, with its billowing sail-shaped copper roof, modern trattoria Romano’s, Mexican taqueria and cantina Tako, through to classic fish and chippery Popeye’s.

A series of foodie events run as part of Hamilton Island Race Week, while tasting classes and masterclasses with the sommelier are offered at the exclusive adults-only Qualia. See

This adults-only eco island resort on the Southern Great Barrier Reef offers glamping in shoreside tents and an all-inclusive castaway experience.

While days belong to snorkelling, kayaking and gourmet picnics on secluded beaches, nights are heralded by sunset drinks and canapes on the beach followed by exclusive dinner parties at The Longhouse restaurant, dishing up locally sourced produce and seafood. See

Chow down on fresh prawns, tuck into modern Australian fare with a bush tucker twist, or dine beachside with cocktail in hand on the world’s largest sand island – the World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island).

Stroll pristine beaches, swim in crystal-clear lakes and spot dingoes. The four-star eco retreat Kingfisher Bay Resort offers the island’s pick of eateries including new Asian fusion eatery Dune, where steaming dumplings, fragrant curries and sizzling stir-fries are the order of the day.

Have a pre-dinner cocktail infused with indigenous ingredients native to K’gari at the adjoining bar first. Ranger and chef-led bush tucker tasting experiences including samples of emu and crocodile are also on offer. See

Just off Townsville lies yet another World Heritage listed island. With its secluded beaches and bays, abundant wildlife and year-round balmy weather, “Maggie” packs a surprising culinary punch.

Enjoy java curried prawns and bugs with an ice-cold beer at the Marlin Bar, and try the barramundi burger at local favourite Barefoot Art Food Wine.

Intimate wine bar Smugglers meanwhile serves up tapas-style dishes like pinchos and creamy chili garlic prawns washed down with vinos from a hand-picked wine list. See

This magical island resort in the little-known Palm Islands offers just 14 rooms and an all-inclusive bar and restaurant awarded a chef’s hat in 2019.

Guests dine on tapas-style lunches and degustation dinners prepared from seasonal produce (where possible harvested from the island’s own vegie garden) and locally sourced seafood.

Or why not take one of Orpheus’ many vessels for a spin for a private chef-prepared picnic accompanied by cold beers and Champagne? For the ultimate signature foodie experience, don’t miss a private sunset dinner on the pier beneath a blanket of stars. See

The northernmost island resort on the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island offers the best of barefoot luxury starring all-inclusive wining and dining. Days revolve around reef exploration, dips in the sea and spa treatments punctuated by beachside picnics, degustation dinners and drinks in a world-class wine cellar.

Signature Salt Water restaurant offers both sweeping 180 degree vistas over Anchor Bay and a daily changing menu crafted by produce sourced from the northern hinterland and North Queensland seas.

Underpinned by Asian, modern Australian and European flavours, dishes are paired with premium drops from the island’s impressive cellar. Tip: Book a gourmet picnic on a secluded beach where you’ll snorkel with turtles followed by a fabulous lunch. See

Queensland is well-connected from New Zealand, with flights to all four of its international airports: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

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