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Enjoy an idyllic holiday without the distractions of life’s bustle on one of two spectacular islands. Located 20 minutes from Onslow and only 100km North of Exmouth, a holiday or day trip to the Mackerel Islands provides a wilderness-style experience boasting world–class fishing, diving, snorkelling, swimming, boating, nature watching and relaxation in protected, calm waters. Two of the ten islands – Thevenard Island and Direction Island – offer accommodation and access to an extraordinary experience, where rugged adventure meets isolation at its most splendid. Overlooking the mooring area and swimming bay on Thevenard Island are 13 self–contained, air-conditioned, beachfront cabins (sleeping 2 – 10 people) with all the comforts of everyday living. Your cabin’s shaded outdoor entertaining area is perfect for taking in spectacular sunrises and for watching the local wildlife after a day’s fishing, diving and exploring. A short walk from the beach is Club Thevenard, a 34-room village built around a pool and BBQ area. It offers single or twin rooms complete with ensuite, air-conditioning and all the essentials for up to 50 people. Or, if you’d prefer an island all to yourself, Direction Island may just be the ideal getaway for you. Direction Island accommodation offers a unique and distinctly Western Australian island experience. Located 11 kilometres off WA’s stunning Pilbara coast and nestled within its own coral reef among the spectacular waters of the Mackerel Islands, you can play castaway with up to 8 people on this rustic little island gem. Accessible by charter boat or private vessel, accommodation on Direction Island is a singular, self-contained A-frame beach cabin with simple home comforts that enhance the opportunity to soak up the beauty of untouched nature, reconnect with family and friends, and truly unravel from life’s bustle.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business
Location
Thevenard Island, Western Australia 6711 Australia
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Most relaxing holiday ever. Lucky to experience tranquility at it best. Spent three nights on Thevenard Island in August. Initially booked to take a short seven flight from Onslow to island. Lucky for us circumstances meant we had to take a 40 minute boat trip; that turned into a impromptu whale watching. So amazing, and it only got better when we landed. 5 Adults spent their days roaming the pristine beaches stream with coral (we followed the rules, marvelled at what we saw but left it on the sand). Star watching at night, never seen so many stars in my life.
Our Bungalow was fully equipped with kitchen and we had ordered food, wine and beer (Western Australian) which all ready for us on arrival - this saves trying to transport provisions in the heat. The islands are licensed for liquor so you can’t take your own, Small price to pay for staying at this fantastic place. Opportunities to go fishing or to arrive on your vessel. The fish in those waters are world class, so next time I will take a fishing charter. The island has a general store and restaurant; the menu is available the day before and you need to book. Don’t expect fine dining but delicious choices each evening. We were sad to leave and will definitely return later this year.
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Date of stay: August 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Cable TV in lounge
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Manager at Mackerel Islands
Responded 5 Feb 2020
Dear Paula H, Thank you so much for your amazing review! The whales never disappoint at that time of the year (July and August), it's always so exciting to see them swimming and leaping out of the water. We love the starry night skies as well, definitely a highlight. We look forward to your next visit and getting to experience a fishing charter - thanks again for taking the time to write such a lovely review.
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With the intrastate state regions opening up a week prior, local travel was a no brainer. Instead of following the crowds to Exmouth/ Coral bay, we chose to tow the boat down to Onslow and stay on Thevenard island.
Google Mackeral islands and it takes you to their website. Full of good information on how to get here,etc. There are a few things that aren’t happening that should be on the website. Currently they’re not operating a “ferry” across, so its definitely take your own boat.
Once we arrived at Onslow, after driving 3 and a half hours, we were told that due to the wind we would have to delay our boat departure. This is for safety reasons as once you arrive at the island you moor on the closest mooring and they attach a stern line to pull the boat closer to shore and hold it steady. The staff then help you unload your gear onto their utes for transit to your cabin.
Knowing the above, we could have left our home location later, or casually made our way to onslow.
The cabins are overlook the beach with gorgeous sunrise veiws.
The cabins themselves are quite basic, but have all the necessary equipment you need whilst on the island. There is a guest laundry down at the shop and each cabin has a rear enclosed area with a clothes line. Our cabin had a little ensuite out back, and also a second seperate toilet (for the men!) On booking you can ask for a portacot and high chair, handy not having to pack those!
From the cabins you can also see the boat moorings, which is great for peace of mind. Wind wasnt as favourable for us over the long weekend, the moorings hold in 20-25knot winds!
The island staff are absolutely amazing and extremely accomodating. Pre book your alcohol and they’ll put it in your fridge. They have an outdoor fridge and freezer out the back of the shop, and if requested, they’ll pop all your fishing essentials in there for collection early morning. Otherwise the shop is open 8-10am and again 4-6pm.
Other ammenities include: Boat and equipment hire, big fish cleaning area, satellite tv, coffee pod machine, little shop, boat refueling.
Recommend that you order all your food/ supplies a week or more out. Saves space if you’re taking your boat across.
If you live in the North West and want a weekend away fishing, or even something different i highly recommend popping across to the Mackerals.
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Date of stay: May 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 7 Jul 2020
Hi CazJD, Thanks for your fantastic and detailed review and for choosing to stay with us. As still a bit of a hidden gem, first hand recommendations and word of mouth is beyond important to us, so a heartfelt thanks for helping get the word out! We're also thrilled to hear your feedback on our team and customer service, we really believe in giving our guests the best stay possible. P.S. We're now operating the ferry service from Onslow to the Island every Tuesday and Friday. Guests are also welcome to take their own boat across. Thanks again and we hope to welcome you back soon!
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Spent three nights here, and it was an unforgettable experience. We are not fisher folk but love to snorkel, and you don't have to fish to have a wonderful time. The cottages are basic but very clean and comfortable with everything you need, and there are hardly any of them, so you feel like you have the island to yourself. The beaches are pristine and deserted, and you can snorkel straight off the beach in front of your cottage on a beautiful reef. On our last day we hired a boat (there were four of us) and we went off and snorkelled on the fringing reef, wherever we liked. Just us and the amazing corals, fish, turtles etc. To top it all off, there were dugongs in the bay at sunset. It was fabulous. Everyone in our group absolutely loved it and we have promised ourselves that we will be back. It is a very special place. Oh, and the team who run the island are lovely and very helpful. Just a great experience all round.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From our first contact with Mackeral Island staff regarding potential booking dates we have had nothing but exceptional service all the way through to and including our experience on the island. We added two family members a week out and the staff could not go out of their way to complete the booking as well as arrange airport transfers for the two flying to Onslow to meet us. On the morning of taking our boat over to the Island the staff at Onslow Beach Resort were informative on weather conditions and time to go over. They picked our car and trailer up from the boat ramp and took to the secure parking so we could get going. On arrival at the island we were guided onto the beach / unloaded and assisted onto our mooring by Andy and staff. We were given an informative overview of the facilities and then taken to our accommodation. All staff who we met at varying times were friendly and went out of their way to make sure our experience was great. They assisted us getting too and from our boat via tender at times we hadn’t even asked for assistance. Dinner under the Stars was a great way to interact with the staff and hear their stories. All in all we could not thank Andy, Mads and all the staff for their exceptional service.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Barefoot and bathers is the way to go
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 26 Jun 2024
Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an unbelievable experience at Mackerel Islands. Our team takes great pride in providing exceptional service, and it's wonderful to know that every aspect of your stay, from booking to departure, met your expectations. We're glad we could accommodate your last-minute changes and that you found our assistance at Onslow Beach Resort helpful. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable stay.
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Outstanding place to stay for relaxing and fishing. Staff were awesome and weren't afraid to give a few fishing spots away, Dinner under the stars was a simple but delicious buffet. The Unit was very comfortable and had all the amenities needed for an independent stay, the shop was better fitted out than expected with more than just the basics but as instructed by the group you do need to take most of what you need with you. Our unit had a broken kitchen window so every time we cooked we had to open the front and back door and stand in the hallway with a towel flapping at the smoke detector to stop it going off lol (Third World probs I know right ) ,,,, My only suggestion for the Island is to consider having Electric or Diesel 5 seater AWD ATV's with trailers for hire it'd be great for getting fishing gear back and forth to the Mooring area or for exploring the Island and getting to back beach for some land base fishing. The crew do offer a Bus for sight seeing and fishing to the West end which we didn't use but back beach has some good fishing, its a kilometer walk carrying all you're gear and if you're older like myself a vehicle would be a bonus. I'm sure there'd be strict rules as to where you can and cannot go but personally Id be happy to adhere to whatever rules are in place for that convenience. The secure parking in Onslow with staff collecting you're vehicle at the boat ramp and returning it to the ramp when you get back is a major benefit as well as having you're beer order already in the fridge when you arrive on the island . The 3 of us that went will definitely be going back we see this as an annual event. The weather in Sept can be fickle so maybe earlier in the year would be better but that's only if you are solely fishos like us. 5 Stars all the way with the people, accommodation and activities thanks for an awesome time guys.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 7 Oct 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your stay at the Mackerel Islands. Our staff love sharing their local insights, and we’re glad they could enhance your experience. Your suggestion about transportation for hire is a fantastic idea, and we’ll definitely keep it in mind as enhancements to regional WA continue to develop. We’re also excited to announce that we’re in the planning stages for major redevelopments on the island set for 2026, so stay tuned for some exciting updates! Thank you for bringing the kitchen window issue to our attention; we have passed this onto our management team, who will be looking into this immediately. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another annual adventure—hopefully with even better fishing weather next time! Thanks again for your kind words and thoughtful suggestions. Safe travels until we see you again.
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The whole experience from booking online to arriving, staying and departing the island was an easy process. The Mackerel Island booking team were friendly and helpful and nothing was too hard for them to assist us in our island booking and Onslow Beach Resort stay beforehand. Once at the island, the process was easy, with the team communicating with us on our approach to the island in our own vessel. The team assisted us in unloading our gear on the beach and a quick tour before dropping us off to our cabin. Andy and Maddi were great managers and they have a wonderful team who always assisted when required, were pleasant and very helpful with any thing we required from information, dropping us off to parts of the island, tour of the facilities and helping my elderly father on and off the boat as we came and went. The Cabins are clean and well equipped, the dinner under the stars was excellent with great company and excellent food. There are SUP boards, kayaks and an inflatable tender for use which is helpful when wanting to access the vessels at mooring or just for some leisure activities. Fishing off the beaches is great, with plenty of action on light tackle and the fishing offshore is great. We will definitely be going back for future vacations. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 26 Jun 2024
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time from start to finish. Our team is over the moon knowing we made your booking process a breeze and that you felt well taken care of both on the island and at Onslow Beach Resort. We're glad you loved our beachfront cabins, Dinner Under the Stars event, and all the fun activities. Hearing about your fishing adventures has made our day! Thanks for the high recommendation and we can't wait to welcome you back for more fun and relaxation on the Mackerel Islands!
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Had an amazing 4 days on the island, the perfect place to relax and unwind. Snorkelling and beach fishing is a must and thanks so much to the Staff for the dinner under the stars and back beach tour!!!! They made us feel right at home. Would recommend the Cobia cabin to any family group looking to spend some island beach time together.
Dan and Sophie
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 18 May 2021
Hi Dan & Sophie, We're so glad to hear this, thanks for your lovely review and awesome photos! We agree the Mackerel Islands are ideal for families, having that fun and relaxing time together and creating special memories. Thanks for staying with us and we hope to welcome you back for another holiday in future!
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What a spot!! Absolutely stunning location with the most amazing staff!! We had our own boats which was great but they do have a few smaller boats for hire on the island. The dinner under the stars was a fab way to start our stay! The staff interacted with their visitors and it added to the relaxed feeling of island life. There is a store on the islands with limited stock so best to pack what you’ll need. The fishing was tough but we’ll definitely be back!!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an amazing week. Nature put on a show with whales, dolphins, turtles, sea snakes and so many great fish. The house (emporer) was very clean and comfortable for 3 couples. Comfy beds and plenty of hot water and great shower pressure, critical at the end of a big day on the water. Equally important, great aircon. The staff are really helpful. This is our second visit and keen to come came again. Thanks Trent, Sarah and the Mackie island crew.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Own boat is a must. Kayaks and SUPs available. Shop stock is limited. Basics are available, BYO...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very unique wonderful experience made even better by the staffs willingness to help with all your activities. Totally off grid but you wouldn’t know it with the cabins being fully air conditioned and fully self contained. Your right in the beach. We will be back!
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing M, Guest Services / Front Office at Mackerel Islands
Responded 26 Jun 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of Mackerel Islands! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a unique and enjoyable experience with us. Our team takes great pride in ensuring that all our guests have a memorable stay, and it's fantastic to know that our staff's dedication made your activities even better. Being right on the beach truly adds to the charm, doesn’t it! We can’t wait to welcome you back in the future for another island adventure!
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The restaurant is closed for the 2020 season, but the beachfront cabins are perfect for self-catering. They each have a full kitchen and individual BBQs. We recommend to bring your own groceries over, the island general store stocks basic items including drinks and ice for topping up. The Mackerel Islands website has an online ordering form for alcohol (as no BYO due to the island's liquor licence) and other bits and pieces.
Hi Sharron,
Day trips are not available unfortunately, our ferry service this season runs twice per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, for either 3 night or 4 night stays. Guests can also bring their own boat over with no minimum night stay. Hope you can still visit!
There are more places to choose from in the Thevenard Island area.
PRICE RANGE
$635 - $1,235 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaWestern AustraliaThevenard Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
46
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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