Fringing Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef
Great Keppel Island to Fraser Island
Fringing Reefs are relatively young, usually found in shallow water and close to the shore... sometimes very close.
Great Keppel Island
Great Keppel Island is the largest of the Coral Sea Islands. It is about 15kms by launch from Yeppoon, and 55kms from Rockhampton, by either sea or air. Rockhampton is on the Whitsunday Coast and is referred to as the “Australian Beef Capital”.Great Keppel Island is surrounded by 18 other smaller islands with fringing reefs, which can be visited by water taxi. In 2008 it was declared iconic by the Queensland Government. Its aboriginal name is Woppaburra … meaning,“resting place”. The Woppaburra people lived here for thousands of years before the first white people arrived in 1847. Grazing was tried in the early years, but was discontinued in 1962. The first resort was opened in 1967 and tourism has since been this Coral Sea island’s industry. Of its many beautiful beaches, Fisherman, Long and Putney are recognized as being the best, being fringed by spectacular coral landscapes. Monkey Beach is 30mins south. See the beautiful fringing reef coral at Halfway Island or visit the Underwater Observatory at Middle Island, from which you will see a fishing wreck, as well as the beautiful coral reef animals. Offshore … canoe, kayak, diving, snorkelling and glass bottom boat trips are available. Back on shore, if you’re up to it, walk to Bald Rock Point and Mt Windham for the beautiful scenery; or indulge in some of the 40 activities available … including golf and archery … or be brave and go on a camel trek. Get there by launch from Yeppoon, or from Rockhampton by sea or air
Wilson Island
Wilson Island, a tiny coral cay in the Coral Sea is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, 70kms from Gladstone and 15kms from Heron Island. It comprises of over 500 acres of dense Cottonwood stands.A divine sweep of castor sugar sands that is home to turtles and birds, Wilson is both part of the Great Barrier Reef, and surrounded by it. Its pristine waters are host to an unimaginable variety of marine life, including colourful coral and fish, with some of the best snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, just off the beach. The fringing reef provides a breeding ground for rare turtles and birds, and is noted for its natural beauty and seclusion.
Do a bird walk on the island or walk on the fringing reef. You can also enjoy the world class snorkelling available just off the beach where you will see the wonderful coral reef animals, including green and loggerhead turtles.The island provides a maximum of just 12 guests with access to the magnificent reef and beach environments, including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds. Those who are drawn to the Wilson Island experience will see the pristine nature of the island, its seclusion and freedom from modern-day living as part of its appeal. The island provides a maximum of just 12 guests with access to the magnificent reef and beach environments, including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds.
Offering deluxe tented accommodation, six permanent tent sites combine simplicity of design with comfort. Interiors feature natural materials and a modern beachcombing theme. Guests can also relax at The Longhouse, a spacious, open-sided central complex with dining and lounge facilities, where you can unwind over a drink at the end of the day. A true communion with nature is at the core of the Wilson Island experience – to live and enjoy life as a castaway. Days can be filled snorkelling and exploring the island, in-season watching turtles and birds nesting and the birth of hatchlings, or simply lazing in a hammock and enjoying the breathtaking views. Wilson Island is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended.
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Lady Musgrave Island Accommodation
Wilson Island Accommodation
Access is by launch or helicopter from Gladstone,and then a 45mins launch trip.
Heron Island
Here we have another Coral Sea island... about 80ks from Gladstone. The first building on the island was a turtle soup factory erected by Heinz in 1923. This closed in 1927.Next, a resort was built in 1932 and tourism started in 1936. The island was declared a National Park and World Heritage listed in 1943. In 1951 a world class Research Station & Teaching Facility, covering 8 ha, was established. The Queensland Parks & Wildlife, Research Station and Voyages Heron Island Resort are the only structures on the island. There are no day trippers to the island.
There is an extensive bird life both residential and migrant. In the breeding season the count is over 100,000. It was so named because the Noddychicks were mistaken for Herons. The island is a nesting place for Green and Loggerhead Turtles and if you were there at the right time you’d be able to see these little coral reef animals hatching on the beach.
At this World Heritage-Listed Marine National Park, you sense that you are a guest of the natural environment; you're here to be part of it, to enjoy and to learn from it. First and foremost, Heron Island is a protected habitat for a stunning variety of birds and other wildlife. Stress is replaced by a sense of adventure, and your days are filled with discovery.At Heron Island, the resort has been thoughtfully designed to blend with the surrounding environment.
Link to Heron Island Accommodation
Heron offers many activities such as guided island and reef walks, semi-submersible cruises and private beach picnics. An amazing array of bird and other animal life can be discovered throughout the year, such as the delightful Green and Loggerhead Turtles. Heron is also world famous for its fantastic scuba diving and snorkelling. Experience some of Australia’s best dive spots - more than 30 dive sites are available, half of which are only 15 minutes from the beach. Swim off the beach into endless gardens of coral and experience the beauty of this underwater paradise.
There are no major medical facilities, but the Royal Flying Doctor Service is available in emergencies. Access is available from Gladstone by launch or helicopter
Lady Elliot Island
The first lighthouse in 1866 was a temporary affair on a tall mast, which was blown away in 1871. In 1873 it was replaced. This was the first one to be erected with a timber frame and cast iron internal cladding. This Coral Sea Island is in the highest classification of Marine National Park Zone by the GBRMPA. Guests are restricted to 105 and there are no phones or TV. Doesn’t that sound heavenly?
The island is regarded as one of the best diving and snorkelling locations on the Great Barrier Reef and is famous for its unspoilt coral reef and amazing array of spectacular marine life. The fringing reef starts almost at your door. Go to the Lighthouse Bommie and swim with the Manta Rays, (the island’s logo), or dive in some of the top diving spots in the world … Secret Caverns, Blow Hole, or Hiro’s Cave. Go reef walking, scuba diving or in a glass bottom boat to see turtles and the Coloured Sea Anemones, as well as all the other coral reef animals which might be out and about. Walk around the island as well … there are over 50,000 birds nesting each year.
With exceptionally clear water year round, visitors will discover a diverse range of coral and colourful fish, and they might even encounter dolphins. Those visiting during the right time of year may experience the wonders of the bird and turtle nesting season, turtle hatchlings emerging from the sand or watching migrating humpback whales blow and breach.You might even see Migaloo if he is on his way north at the time.Lady Elliot Island is a popular destination for individuals, couples, families and leisure groups keen to explore this rich marine eco-system. Enjoy a day-trip or stay for a few days. Management at Lady Elliot Island is committed to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions on the island and has reduced its annual power consumption by at least 75 per through a combination of solar and gas technology, water desalination and various strategic behavioural adaptations.
All about the
accommodation at Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island is one of the only 3 island resorts with a direct flight service to the island. Scenic flights to Lady Elliot Island depart daily from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore, Brisbane (Redcliffe) or Coolangatta.
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Lady Elliot Island Eco Lodge
Queensland Holidays
Lady Musgrave Island
Lady Musgrave Island is an uninhabited coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s greatest natural phenomenons and a World Heritage Listed Marine Park. Lady Musgrave is the southern-most island in the Capricorn Cays National Park, and lies just south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The island is only 14ha in size but is surrounded by 1192ha of reef, with about a third of that area reef lagoon.This Coral Sea Island is a true coral cay and its claim to “only” in the Great Barrier Reef is its navigable lagoon – 8kms in circumference. Lady Musgrave Lagoon’s amazing colours and beauty are unsurpassed anywhere in the world, and there is an abundance of coral, fish and turtles. Many yachts anchor in the lagoon on the first leg of a northern passage through the Great Barrier Reef.
There is plenty to do and see … swimming in the crystal clear water of the lagoon; snorkelling and scuba diving on the reef, viewing the many marine animals...such as sea urchins, giant clams, manta rays or moray eels...maybe even the historic shipwreck thought to be the Jane Lockhart, a wooden schooner that sank in 1868... or you can see it all in comfort on a semi-submersible. Don’t forget all the fish and the beautiful coral. Catch your own fish or do an island walk.
Birdlife is prolific. You will find Noddy Terns in the Pisonia Trees... Silver Gulls, Bridled Terns, and Black-naped Terns prefer the beach or more open ground areas and the Mutton Birds nest in burrows. Many types of wading birds can be seen foraging on the reef from September to March. Then there are the Loggerhead and Green Turtleswhich get their Musgrave Island accommodation on the beach between November and February. The island is closed to campers from February to March to protect turtle hatchlings. In the shallows you will find Leopard sharks and Whitetip Reef Sharks, but they present no threat to humans.
There are no facilities or shops available onshore. Info about Camping on Lady Musgrave Island 22 May 2009 – This info was taken from the Capricornia Cays National Park Campground list page on the Queensland Government’s Environmental Protection Agency website. Please check this page for the most up-to-date information, and to make your camping bookings. Also check on what you can and can't do in the different zones.
Check here for info on Lady Musgrave Island accommodation
You can access the island from either Bundaberg or the little Town of 1770 … that town in itself is well worth a visit.
Fraser Island
Although not actually part of the Coral Sea Islands, it is next door and we are very friendly and will count it. It is the largest sand island in the world … 122kms long and 180,000ha in area. Evidence has been found of up to 2000 aborigines living on the island for over 5,000 years. Just 300 remained in 1904 and they moved to Yarrabah Mission near Cairns. The island, originally named K’gari, meaning “Paradise”, was renamed Fraser, after Eliza Fraser who was shipwrecked on the fringing reef off the island. She was one of those who were saved and subsequently returned to England.
Over 100 fresh water lakes are surrounded by white sandy beaches, including the famous 75 Mile Beach. This Coral Sea island is the only place in the world where rainforests grow in sand dunes that are 240mts high. These are part of the longest and most complete coastal dune system in the world and are still evolving. They move 1-2mts each year. Sand mining was started in 1950 but abandoned in 1977.Fraser Island was World Heritage listed in 1992 and in summer and spring the wildflowers on the heaths are spectacular. There are guided 4WD tours available. Over 350 species of birds either call the island home, or rest here on their annual migration from the north. Some of them are Sea Eagles, Falcon, Osprey and Kites … also the almost extinct Ground Parrot.The Ant Blue Butterfly is also close to extinction. No dogs are allowed on the island. The 100 or so Dingoes on the island are the only pure dingoes left. There have been attacks made by them and they are now kept in their own backyard and sightings are rare. Go on a whale watch tour to see dwarf minke whales and humpbacks, or snorkel and see some of the fish and other coral reef animals, including the endangered Dugongs and Turtles. You can get there from Hervey Bay by ferry.
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