Sea Creatures of the Great Barrier Reef
Around Islands from Hinchinbrook to Magnetic

Hinchinbrook Island

Amazing sea creatures can be found around the islands in the marine ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef.

Most of the reef islands are National Parks..Hinchinbrook is the world's largest... and was declared one in 1932.

The topography varies from mountains, through forests and woodlands to one of the best Australian beaches. The mangroves are breeding grounds for many marine animals, and dugongs graze on the seagrass beds.

This reef island is situated 8kms east of Cardwell … about 2 hrs drive from Cairns and Townsville and is surrounded by waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The GBRMPA has laid down strict guidelines for ensuring the preservation of the bio-diversity... and the millions of fantastic sea creatures.

The resort is on the northern part of the island and the eastern coast boasts the world famous Thorsborne Trial which is a bushwalker’s paradise.

Shell middens on the coastal strip are reminders of the Bandjin people who occupied the island for thousands of years. Take a ferry ride and see 10,000 year old fish traps made by these people. You will possibly see some of the magnificent sea creatures as well.

Water taxis run from Cardwell and Lucinda, which is near Ingham

Dunk Island

Once on the island you are faced with the choice of walking through the rainforest or to the top of My Kootaloo to view the other side ... it’s always nice to check the other side to see what’s going on, isn’t it? ... spend time on tennis, squash, golf, horseriding on the beach, or snorkelling at Muggy Muggy Beach to see some of the wonderful sea creatures... and don’t forget a visit to the outer reef, for many more sea creatures.. you could even do a spot of fishing.

For a family holiday, there are plenty of things to do together, but when Mum and Dad want some time out, the Kids Club gives 3-12 year olds plenty to do. For couples looking for romance, nothing compares to ending the day with a cocktail in hand, watching the perfect sunset.

This is also the home of the beautiful Ulysses butterfly so you should get to see some of them. I once had a Euodea tree, which is their host, and often saw the beautiful creatures.

All 160 rooms are well-appointed with four grades of accommodation, each with beach or tropical garden views. For the family, Dunk Island is as good as it gets... link here to Dunk Island Accommodation


From either Cairns or Townsville driving, or by bus, boat or plane.

Bedarra Island

Billed as an exclusive, private, multi-award winning hideaway, where the emphasis in on luxury, peace and relaxation, this small reef island is only 20 mins further south from Dunk Island.

At Bedarra Island, guests can do as they wish, when they wish. A maximum of just 32 guests are accommodated in 16 secluded villas, hidden in the rainforest, only minutes from the beach. Superbly appointed, each villa has a separate living area, contemporary bathroom and king size bed. On the balcony, guests can relax in a hammock and contemplate the beauty and calm of this elegant retreat.

It caters for only 32 guests in 16 villas … or on a sole-use basis. No children under 12 are catered for... link here to Bedarra Island Accommodation

While the focus on Bedarra Island is on peace and relaxation, there are also many activities to enjoy, such as catamaran sailing, paddle-skiing, fishing, snorkelling and diving day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as motorised dinghies for exploring the island’s picturesque, private beaches. Feel like more indulgence? Enjoy a relaxing therapeutic massage in the privacy of your villa.

The same "getting to" information as for Dunk Island

Orpheus Island

In reality, Lt G E Richards named the island after the Royal Navy ship, ‘’The Orpheus’’, which was wrecked in 1863, resulting in the loss of almost 200 crewmen.

Orpheus is part of the Palm group of Islands, scattered off the coast of Townsville. The group was named by James Cook in 1770 with several of the celebrated explorer’s crew visiting Orpheus Island to collect coconuts.

In 1960 the entire Island was declared a National Park and a few years later surrounding waters were included as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

In the 1950s and 60s it is believed to have changed hands for the first time. In 2002, present owner Jim Wilson bought the island and it underwent a major refurbishment. Mr Wilson is the former owner and developer of the Award Winning Freycinet Lodge in Tasmania.

Camping is available in certain areas, but there are strict guidelines and visitors must be aware of them before they arrive.

A special attraction is the Gourmet Weekend, where at the multi-award winning restaurant, the accent is on fine wining and dining: See Orpheus Island Accommodation

Only a ten minute boat ride from the property, at the James Cook University research station there is a rare cluster of 100-150 Giant Clams. Known as Tridacna, the clams are the largest grouping in the Southern Hemisphere and include some of the oldest known specimens in the world. Guests can experience a tour of the research station or snorkel and dive with these giant and rare sea creatures.

Electric colours of blues, greens and yellows make the Clams stand out as one of the most distinctive animals on the reef. The true Giant Clam, Tridacna gigas, can reach 1.3 metres in shell length and weighs hundreds of kilograms.The clams have special pigment cells that give them spectacular blue, green and brown colours inside. They open their shells to bathe their fleshy mantles in sunlight during the day. Their mantles provide a home for tiny single celled plants called zooxanthellae

The zooxanthellae generate food from sunlight, with tiny 'eyes' in the mantle concentrating light to boost the production of the zooxanthellae. The clams close up when a shadow falls on their light-sensitive organs.

The bird life is equally impressive and includes orange-footed scrub fowl, yellow-bellied sunbirds, spangled drongos, ospreys and brahminy kites.




On Orpheus Island guests can get up close and personal with nature. The resort encourages guests to experience the island’s flora and fauna in its natural environment.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island has become Townsville’s playground suburb, with a population of nearly 3,000, and is “looked after” by the Townsville City Council. Its 5000ha area, two-thirds of which is National Park, boasts 23 bays and beaches.

From Townsville it takes 20mins by ferry … you can take your car too … and you will land at Nelly Bay.

Nelly Bay has the largest infrastructure on the island … Ferry and barge terminal, Emergency Services helipad, and residential buildings.

Arcadia is the main residential village.

Horseshoe Bay is looked on as the tourist strip, with major accommodation and recreation facilities.

Picnic Bay boasts an open-air shopping complex and golf course.

There are activities to suit all ages. You can enjoy the walking tracks, lookouts, wildlife … you will no doubt see a koala au natural … and a large birdlife.

You can travel by bus, taxi or Harley. Bikes, mokes, trail bikes and scooters are all for hire. Or, you can do a 4-wheel drive tour, go horse-riding, or play golf.

By ferry from Townsville … 20mins