This Dreamy NSW Island Just Ranked as the 4th Quietest Island Destination on Earth

A new study has crunched satellite and mapping data to reveal the world's most peaceful island getaways — and New South Wales' beautiful Lord Howe Island has earned a spot on the list.

Given the current news cycle, it's hardly surprising that 'quietcations' have become one of the defining travel trends of the century. Travellers are increasingly swapping noisy city life for remote islands free of crowds, cars and chaos. If your noise-cancelling headphones could use a rest, a fresh study has uncovered the planet's most tranquil island destinations — and one of them sits right here in NSW.

To compile the rankings, BookRetreats.com assessed 100 of the world's most remarkable islands against the European Environment Agency's definition of a 'quiet area' — a pleasant soundscape where unwanted noise is absent or at least not dominant. Drawing on open satellite and mapping data, each destination was scored on six criteria: rich nature, minimal roads, low air traffic, uncrowded spaces, dark night skies and natural coastal spots.

Topping the list is New Zealand's Stewart Island, nicknamed the 'Land of Glowing Skies,' with a total score of 94.6 out of 100. As the world's southernmost International Dark Sky Sanctuary — where just 2.3 per cent of the island shows any artificial light — it has no main roads, a population of only 500, and 280 kilometres of untouched trails to explore.

Australia's highest-ranked entry — and fourth overall — is the stunning Lord Howe Island, located under a two-hour flight from Sydney. With a strict cap of 400 visitors at any one time and fewer than 500 residents, this island paradise delivers a peaceful, postcard-perfect escape wrapped in World Heritage-listed nature.

Life here moves at bicycle speed, with no main roads and just one small airstrip. Lord Howe scored a near-perfect 98 out of 100 for naturalness and is home to a rare ecosystem of 241 native plant species — 113 of which exist nowhere else on the planet. You'll often have whole trails and beaches to yourself, and can drift off under crystal-clear, light-pollution-free night skies. On our visit last year, we spent the days hiking mountains and snorkelling with sharks — far more serene than it sounds.

Closer to the mainland, Queensland's Magnetic Island comes in at 13th. A short 20-minute ferry from Townsville, 'Maggie' is a highly accessible quietcation for time-poor travellers — though you'll likely want to stay longer. The island is 78 per cent protected national park, dotted with secluded bays and beaches and criss-crossed by peaceful bushwalks where you can spot wild koalas.

The world's 15 quietest islands

Stewart Island, New Zealand

Anafi, Greece

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Lord Howe Island, Australia

St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, England

Tioman Island, Malaysia

Koh Chang, Thailand

Koh Rong, Cambodia

Havelock Island, India

Santa Catalina Island, USA

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Isla Holbox, Mexico

Magnetic Island, Australia

Herm, Channel Islands

Boa Vista, Cape Verde

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