Head to an Aussie island paradise and get up close and personal with wildlife like koalas and wallaroos

I DIDN’T really think Australia would actually fit all the stereotypes.

And, in fairness, I haven’t seen a single shrimp on a barbie or even a single spider which could end my life with a bite.

Australia's Daydream Island is a paradise of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters — Australia’s Daydream Island is a paradise of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters

Yet here I am, looking out over a beautiful blue sea with kangaroos hopping around in front of me as I relax on my balcony on Daydream, one of the Whitsunday Islands.

I stand corrected, they’re actually wallaroos — smaller than kangaroos but bigger than wallabies — but who’s checking? This is exactly what I hoped Australia would be.

In all fairness, I could probably be accused of searching out the very cutest things this country is renowned for.

Within 24 hours of arriving I had held a koala (his name was Spoon and he was adorable), fed a kangaroo (the softest animal you will ever touch), petted a dingo (not as scary as they’re made out to be) and stroked a python.

It is also home to Australian wildlife like kangaroos, koalas and wallaroos

Granted, that last one wasn’t quite as cuddly, apart from when it started to wrap around my waist. But when someone hands you a six-foot snake, you take it. Don’t you?

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Queensland, is the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, having opened in 1927.

Visitors can get up close to some of the residents but they are reassuringly careful, insisting each koala can only be out for a maximum of 30 minutes each day.

In a world where people are more and more conscious about animal welfare, this feels like the right way to do things.

Plus the island paradise is just a short ferry ride to Brisbane where you can enjoy trips to trendy bars and the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary

Admission fees from visitors — who have included Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and the late Queen Mother — go towards a world-class science and research facility which opened last year.

While in Brisbane I was staying at The Fantauzzo, part of the Art Series of hotels and inspired by Aussie artist Vincent Fantauzzo.

It only opened in March and boasts spectacular views over the Brisbane River from underneath Story Bridge.

It’s part of a new development which includes busy bars and restaurants and is conveniently located for my favourite spot in the city, a 40-minute ferry ride up the river — sprawling, hipster food market, Eat Street Northshore.

Daydream is bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and the resort itself has its own Living Reef

Back near the centre is the uber-cool James Street, packed with trendy independent cafes and high-end boutiques.

It’s an Instagram paradise, so it’s no wonder The Calile has set up here — one of the most buzzy hotels in the entire country.

But it’s Daydream Island which I am really excited about, its resort a firm favourite for Queensland holidaymakers ever since it opened in the 1930s.

The resort has just had a £28million renovation to bring it into the 21st century and it has practically all you could want.

Within just 24 hours Howell had already held a koala, fed a kangaroo, petted a dingo and stroked a python

A short flight from Brisbane followed by a 40-minute ferry brought me to this little slice of paradise, with three pools, several restaurants and a notice board packed with activities for families or couples.

The Whitsundays border the Great Barrier Reef, and the resort itself has its own Living Reef, one of the biggest outdoor aquariums in the southern hemisphere, with reef sharks, stingrays, coral and tropical fish.

Guests can take a dip and feed some of its critters, with marine biologist Alex giving me a guided tour, which is perfect if you don’t feel confident going out into open water.

But tour firm GSL Marine offers day trips out to see them in the wild too.

Plus the island now has a state-of-the-art resort, complete with three pools, several restaurants and plenty of activities for families or couples

And after going all that way, there was no chance I was going to miss seeing the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, first-hand.

The bleaching of corals by pollution has had a major effect in recent decades but the reef is still home to a mind-blowing number of species, and after slipping into a stinger suit — no jellyfish were getting near me — I was in among them.

You don’t need to be the strongest swimmer to enjoy snorkelling in this parallel universe and the fish you can see among the coral are truly spectacular.

But there’s plenty more to see on land too. As part of the day trip, GSL offers a guided national park walk up to Hill Inlet, giving one of the most breathtaking views of swirling crystal seas and white sandy beaches.

Go: Queensland

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Royal Brunei Airlines flies from Heathrow to Brisbane from £640pp (flyroyalbrunei.com). Internal flights via Qantas/ Virgin Australia. Daydream Island rooms are from £218 (daydreamisland.com). Rooms at The Fantauzzo are £130 a night (artserieshotels.com.au/fantauzzo). The Calile is typically £144 a night (thecalilehotel.com).

OUT & ABOUT: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, behind-the-scenes tours available, Eat Street Northshore is worth visiting for food (eatstreetmarkets.com). GSL Marine day tours are £105 for adults (gslmarine.com.au).

MORE INFO: tourismwhitsundays.com.au and visitbrisbane.com.au.

Whitehaven Beach is nearly five miles of powdery white sands, against a backdrop of a lush, uninhabited island, and the perfect place to soak up the sun.

After getting back to Daydream Island I felt that perfect mix of being relaxed, sleepy and with a huge smile there was no chance of wiping off, even when I fell fast asleep at 9pm.

If Australia can make me feel this content, there’s no way this will go down as the trip of a lifetime. I’ll be back for more.