Photos from the Real AUSTRALIA

The Islands, offshore from Cairns to Townsville, Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef extends about 2000 km along the Queensland coast, from the Gulf of Papua to Hervey Bay and is the largest coral reef system in the world, with over 2600 separate reefs. Sections of the reef are easily accessible from Cairns, with many tours catering for snorkelers and scuba divers. There are also around 300 islands offshore and many of these have facilities for tourists and can be reached in day tours. There are hotels for a longer stay as well and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the islands on bushwalks and to swim and snorkel in the clear tropical sea.

Green Island is a coral island of about 15 ha on the inner side of the reef off Cairns, and is readily accessible on the daily tours that go there. It is an ideal spot to relax on a day trip from Cairns. There is an underwater observatory, a museum, a good restaurant and accommodation for a longer stay as well. On the other side of Cape Grafton, a 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns is Fitzroy Island, a continental island, rising to a peak of 270 m above the surrounding sea. There is a resort catering to day visitors and there are camping facilities and lodge and villa style accommodation.

Further south, off the coast at Mission Beach, is Dunk Island, named by Captain Cook and part of Family Islands National Park. It has a peak of 240 m and can be reached by ferry and even by plane: there is an airport. It caters for resort guests and campers. There are some great walks on the island, through rain forests to beautiful beaches. Continuing south, near Cardwell, is Hinchinbrook Island, a 35 km long island separated by the Hinchinbrook Channel from the mainland and actually an extension of the coastal ranges. It is a fantastic place to explore; the whole island and the channel is a National Park; there are long beaches, waterfalls, mountain lookouts, rainforests and mangrove stands. A full walk across the island may take four days! There are ferries from both sides of the island and there are camping facilities and resort accommodation.

Palm Island was named for the cabbage tree palms growing there by Captain James Cook in 1770. The island has forested hills and nice sandy bays and coral reefs. It became an Aboriginal settlement for people from very different tribal groups who were brought here in the forties and fifties by the white administration, especially children of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, the "stolen generation". It is now a self governing Aboriginal community called Bwgcolman with daily ferry links to Townsville. Just off Townsville is Magnetic Island, also named by Captain Cook in 1770 because of the erratic readings the ship's compass was giving him at the time. The island houses about 2500 but is a popular holiday destination as well. There are frequent catamaran and ferry links to Townsville.

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