Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTHERN REEF ISLANDS
If you've ever had 'castaway' dreams of tiny coral atolls fringed with sugary white sand
and turquoise-blue seas, you've found your island paradise in the southern Great Barrier
Reef islands. From beautiful Lady Elliot Island, 80km northeast of Bundaberg, secluded
and uninhabited coral reefs and atolls dot the ocean for about 140km up to Tryon Island,
east of Rockhampton.
Several cays in this part of the Reef are excellent for snorkelling, diving and just getting
back to nature - though reaching them is generally more expensive than reaching islands
nearer the coast. Some of the islands are important breeding grounds for turtles and
seabirds, and visitors should be aware of precautions to ensure the wildlife's protection,
outlined in the relevant NPRSR information sheets.
Camping is allowed on Lady Musgrave, Masthead and North West national park islands,
and campers must be totally self sufficient. Numbers are limited, so it's advisable to apply
well ahead for a camping permit. Contact
NPRSR
(
13 74 68;
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
;
permit per person/
family $5.45/21.80)
.
Access is from Town of 1770 and Gladstone.
STINGERS
The potentially deadly chironex box jellyfish and irukandji, also known as sea wasps or marine stingers, occur in
Queensland's coastal waters north of Agnes Water (and occasionally further south) from around October to April,
and swimming is not advisable during these times. Fortunately, swimming and snorkelling are usually safe around
the reef islands throughout the year; however, appearances of the rare and tiny (1cm to 2cm across) irukandji have
been recorded on the outer Reef and islands. For more information on stingers and treatment,
Click here
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Lady Elliot Island
On the southern frontier of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot is a 40-hectare vegetated
coral cay popular with divers, snorkellers and nesting sea turtles and seabirds. Divers can
walk straight off the beach to explore an ocean-bed of shipwrecks, coral gardens, bommies
