3 Best Hotels in Mackay–Capricorn Islands, Queensland

Surrounded by stunning beaches and untouched bush, this is a modest, quiet alternative for travelers looking to get back to basics and enjoy the environs the "old-fashioned" way. Free of TVs, Internet, and mod cons, the village centers on a large reception hall, where you can buy island maps, pick up snorkeling gear or a paddleboard (free for guests), rent a motorized canoe, discover walking tracks, and meet other travelers. Accommodation includes Dolphin Cottage, ideal for four people; two cabins with en suite bathrooms; eight glamping tents; and three basic twin rooms in the main lodge. There's also a well-equipped communal kitchen, and a barbecue for cooking out. Bring your own groceries (buy extra supplies from the village store) or dine out at the Island Bar & Bistro, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rates drop with longer stays.

Set among palm trees and connected by sand paths, this secluded, eco-certified resort has a range of accommodation types, from the deluxe Beach House with private outdoor shower and beach boardwalk to the comparatively compact, garden-level Turtle Rooms. Large, elegantly modern suites with well-stocked minibars, separate lounge areas, and furnished private decks or terraces merit the extra expense. Room rates include breakfast. Complimentary activities include nonmotorized water sports, guided walks, stargazing, trivia nights, and nature presentations. Snorkeling and diving excursions cost extra, as does the Junior Ranger kids' program, run on weekends and during Australian school holidays (A$30 per session). The delightful Aqua Soul Spa administers treatments with marine-based and natural botanical products, and a spa menu. The Island's resort shop is also well stocked.

All accommodation on the island is provided by Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, where you'll feel more like a marine biologist at an island field camp than a tourist enjoying a luxury resort. There are four types of rooms: two-bedroom beachfront island suites; reef and garden units with multiple bed configurations and private facilities; permanent, powered eco cabins; and two glamping tents. Rooms are simply furnished and fan-cooled (beachfront suites have air-conditioned lounge rooms). Though clean and comfortable, the eco-resort's focus is on simplicity, functionality, and conservation rather than modern conveniences; guests are asked to minimize their impact wherever possible—linen and towels are changed only upon request. Dinner and breakfast, included in the room rates, are served buffet-style in the airy dining room, and may be enjoyed inside or on the covered veranda. It's hearty fare, with limitless tea and coffee.