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Daydreaming of being on 'island time'? Picturing palm trees, an ocean breeze and azure seas? In a world that’s always switched on, the appeal of truly going off-grid is so, so appealing. Think places so blissfully remote and so naturally stunning, they make you forget your constantly pinging inbox (they probably have sketchy Wi-Fi, too).
A new report from luxury yacht charter company Goolets has revealed the best off-grid travel destinations for 2026 – and two Australian islands made the list, with one even claiming the top spot.
To compile the rankings, the researchers analysed 25 remote locations around the world, measuring how far they are from major infrastructure, including airports, bus stops, train stations, roads, hotels and restaurants. Each destination was given an overall 'off-grid' score out of 100.
Our very own Lord Howe Island came in first, scoring 73 out of 100 on the 'off-grid index'. Located roughly 600 kilometres east off mainland Australia in the Tasman Sea, the tiny volcanic island can only be reached via a small flight from Sydney or Brisbane. The island famously caps visitor numbers at just 400 people at any one time – and that limited access is deliberately done to protect its pristine environment and unique biodiversity.
According to the study, Lord Howe Island ranks first for the average distance to nearby airports, bus stops and hotels – meaning it’s genuinely remote by global standards. The island is tiny – just 11 kilometres long and about two kilometres wide – but what awaits visitors is pure magic: snorkelling in coral reefs teeming with sealife, cycling past emerald mountains and wandering beaches that feel completely untouched. As Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, wrote after visiting, it’s quite possibly one of the most beautiful places in Australia.
Also making the list is Kangaroo Island, which ranks sixth globally with an off-grid score of 54 out of 100. Located approximately 15 kilometres off the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula and about 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide, the island feels far away from city life. Getting there requires either a ferry ride from Cape Jervis or a short regional flight – and once you arrive, the rugged landscape makes the journey worthwhile.
Kangaroo Island is celebrated for its dramatic coastline, secluded beaches and extraordinary wildlife. Visitors might spot sea lions basking on the sand, koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees and, of course, plenty of kangaroos bounding off into the bush. Add in surreal rock formations like Remarkable Rocks and the sweeping arches of Admirals Arch, as well as long stretches of untouched shoreline (hello, Stokes Bay and Vivonne Bay), and you’ve got a paradise for nature lovers.
So, if you’re seeking to swap endless notifications for birdsong, crowded streets for pristine landscapes and busy schedules for soul-soothing days, Australia has not one, but two, perfect island destinations that are calling out your name.
The 10 best off-grid destinations in the world
- Lord Howe Island, Australia
- Rupununi, Guyana
- Namib Desert, Namibia
- Sumba, Indonesia
- Mahale Mountains, Tanzania
- Kangaroo Island, Australia
- South Luangwa, Zambia
- Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
- Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland
- Bumthang, Bhutan