Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Queensland, Australia |
Coordinates | 20°18′S148°56′E / 20.300°S 148.933°E |
Total islands | 74 |
Major islands | Hamilton Island |
Area | 282.82 km2 (109.20 sq mi) |
Administration | |
Australia | |
State | Queensland |
Largest settlement | Hamilton Island (pop. 1350) |
Demographics | |
Population | 1,570 (2014) |
Pop. density | 5.551/km2 (14.377/sq mi) |
The Whitsunday Islands are 74 continental islands of various sizes off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, 900 kilometres (560 miles) north of Brisbane. [1] The northernmost of the islands are off the coast by the town of Bowen, while the southernmost islands are off the coast by Proserpine. The island group is centred on Whitsunday Island, while the commercial centre is Hamilton Island. The traditional owners of the area are the Ngaro people and the Gia people, whose Juru people has the only legally recognised native title in the Whitsunday Region. [2]
The islands are within the locality of Whitsundays and the local government Whitsunday Region. [3] In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Whitsunday Islands became one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for their role as a natural attraction. [4]
On Sunday 3 June 1770, (the day Whitsun—Pentecost was celebrated on the Christian calendar) Captain James Cook sailed his ship H.M.B. Endeavour, through a broad expanse of islands which provided an unimpeded passage to the north. Cook named the passage "Whitsundays' Passage". [5] Cook's recorded times and dates are often questioned. Time quoted is simply local time (calculated at noon), the date recorded is a little more confusing. Cook recorded nautical time (the day starts at noon). Considering the International Date Line, and knowing today's date on the east coast of Australia is calculated at GMT+10, Cook's recorded date is fortuitously correct.
There is some contention as to exactly which islands are within the informally named Whitsunday Islands, in particular those at the southern extremity and the inclusions to the west. What is certain is that they lie within the chain named Cumberland Isles by Captain Cook (now officially the Cumberland Islands) and a reasonably defined section of that chain and surrounding waters have become known worldwide as The Whitsundays, based on a contraction of the Whitsunday Islands designation.
The Whitsunday islands are a popular tourist destination for travellers to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef with the area being one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. The islands received about 700,000 visitors between March 2008 and March 2009. [6]
The Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail [7] is a mix of seaways and short walks, crossing South Molle, Hook and Whitsunday islands. [8] The tracks across the islands are linked by seaways suited to kayaking, sailing or powerboating. Camping is available at eight camping areas on the three islands. Several islands have large resorts, offering a wide variety of accommodation and activities. Chartering a yacht or bareboating is a popular way to explore the seaways, beaches and coves.
The Ngaro Whitsundays Underwater Art Trail [9] is a series on sculptures of Turtle, Manta ray, Maori wrasse, Coral polyp and a traditional piece named Bywa. They are located in shallow water depths assessable for snorkelling.
There are a total of 74 islands and islets among all the groups in the Whitsundays.
The most notable islands in the main Whitsunday group are named Dent, Hamilton, Hayman, Hook and Whitsunday which features the white sands of Whitehaven Beach.
The best known island in the Lindeman group is its namesake Lindeman Island ( 20°26′44″S149°02′33″E / 20.4456°S 149.0425°E ). [10] However the largest island in the group is Shaw Island ( 20°29′12″S149°04′32″E / 20.4867°S 149.0756°E ). [11]
The most notable islands in the Molle group are Daydream Island (formerly West Molle Island), Long Island and South Molle Island.
Some of the islands in the Northern group are Armit, Gloucester and Saddleback.
Listed below are islands of The Whitsundays, divided by group locality. Named rocks and islets can be found listed within the entry for the nearest island to that feature.
Island | Capital | Adjacent islets and features | Area (km²) | Population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lindeman Islands | Lindeman Island | 30.34 | 10 | |
Baynham Island | 0.074 | 0 | ||
Comston Island | 0.236 | 0 | ||
Gaibirra Island | 0.323 | 0 | ||
Keyser Island | 0.577 | 0 | ||
Lindeman Island | 6.789 | 10 | ||
Little Lindeman Island | 0.49 | 0 | ||
Maher Island | Jesus Point | 0.94 | 0 | |
Mansell Island | 1.177 | 0 | ||
Other | Ann Island, Cole Island | 0.222 | 0 | |
Pentecost Island | 1.25 | 0 | ||
Seaforth Island | North Beach | 0.265 | 0 | |
Shaw Island | Neck Bay, Burning Point | 15.62 | 0 | |
Thomas Island | Thomas Bay, Dead Dog Point | 2.23 | 0 | |
Triangle Island | 0.115 | 0 | ||
Volskow Island | 0.032 | 0 | ||
Molle Islands | South Molle Island | 20.17 | 150 | |
Daydream Island | Coral Beach, Lovers Beach, Mermaids Beach, Sunset Beach | 0.23 | 30 | |
Denman Island | 0.095 | 0 | ||
Goat Island | 0.047 | 0 | ||
Long Island | Base Point, Fire Point, Happy Bay, Paradise Bay, Pelican Beach, Peppers Palm Bay, Sandy Bay, Spit Point | 10.6 | 80 | |
Mid Molle Island | 0.13 | 0 | ||
North Molle Island | 2.643 | 0 | ||
Other | Gunn Island, Repair Island, Shute Island, Tancerd Island | 0.588 | 0 | |
Pine Island | 1.063 | 0 | ||
Planton Island | 0.114 | 0 | ||
South Molle Island | Bauer Bay | 4.66 | 40 | |
Northern Group | Gloucester Island | 33.56 | 1 | |
Armit Island | 1.05 | 0 | ||
Double Cone Island | 0.4 | 0 | ||
Eshelby Island | 0.13 | 0 | ||
Gloucester Island | 26.8 | 0 | ||
Grassy Island | 1.29 | 0 | ||
Gumbrell Island | 0.47 | 0 | ||
Manta Ray Island | 0.32 | 0 | ||
Middle Island | 0.43 | 0 | ||
Olden Island | 0.43 | 0 | ||
Poole Island | 0.19 | 0 | ||
Rattray Island | 0.23 | 0 | ||
Saddleback Island | 0.58 | 0 | ||
Stone Island | 1.24 | 1 | ||
The Whitsunday Group | Hamilton Island | 198.75 | 1409 | |
Bird Island | 0.017 | 0 | ||
Black Island | 0.05 | 0 | ||
Border Island | Cateran Bay | 3.066 | 0 | |
Cid Island | Bench Point, Gilling Point | 2.95 | 0 | |
Cowrie Island | 0.024 | 0 | ||
Deloraine Island | 0.172 | 0 | ||
Dent Island | 4.13 | 2 | ||
Dumbell Island | 0.141 | 0 | ||
Dungarra Island | 0.094 | 0 | ||
Esk Island | 0.1 | 0 | ||
Fitzalan Island | 0.054 | 0 | ||
Hamilton Island | Crab Bay, South Head, Driftwood Bay, Coral Cove, Escape Beach, Broken Point, Sunrise Bay, Hideaway Bay, Catseye Bay, Pebble Beach, Airport Beach | 7.98 | 1350 | |
Harold Island | 0.345 | 0 | ||
Haslewood Island | 7.941 | 0 | ||
Hayman Island | Dolphin Point, Tower Point, Rescue Beach, Groper Point, Arkhurst Point, Blue Pearl Bay, Royal Hayman Hotel | 3.78 | 50 | |
Henning Island | 0.496 | 0 | ||
Hook Island | 54.87 | 5 | ||
Ireby Island | 0.046 | 0 | ||
Langford Island | 0.093 | 0 | ||
Lupton Island | 1.05 | 0 | ||
Nicolson Island | 0.163 | 0 | ||
Other | Buddibuddi Island, Yuindalla Island, Petrel Island, Arkhurst Island, Plum Pudding Island | 0.904 | 0 | |
Perseverance Island | 0.342 | 0 | ||
Teague Island | 0.558 | 0 | ||
Titan Island | 0.011 | 2 | ||
Whitsunday Island | 109 | 0 | ||
Wirrainbeia Island | 0.04 | 0 | ||
Workington Island | 0.333 | 0 | ||
Whitsunday Islands | Totals | 282.82 | 1570 |
Cape Upstart is a national park in the locality of Guthalungra in the Whitsunday Region local government area of North Queensland, Australia, 1,016 km northwest of Brisbane.
South Cumberland Islands is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 831 km northwest of Brisbane. It is famous for the marine stingers which can be found in the waters of the park between October and May.
Whitsunday Islands is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 920 kilometres (570 mi) northwest of Brisbane. It contains Whitsunday Island and 31 others.
The Cumberland Islands form a group of 70 islands at 20°34′S149°08′E on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Mackay in Queensland, Australia. They were discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770.
Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday group of islands located off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia.
Hook Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland. The island is almost uninhabited, quite rugged and almost completely contained within a section of the Whitsunday Islands National Park. The island has two prominent geographical features on the southern side of Hook Island; the Nara and Macona inlets, two fjord-like recesses that are used as anchorages for the Whitsunday tourist fleet. The island's northern coast is noted for its colourful underwater coral growths, to which snorkelling and diving enthusiasts are attracted.
Lindeman Island is an island in the Lindeman Group of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The island was named by Captain Bedwell after his sub-lieutenant, George Sidney Lindeman whilst aboard the Royal Navy vessel HMS Virago.
Daydream Island is one of seven islands of the Molle Group, a sub-group of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. The island is small, measuring 1 km in length and 400 m at its widest point. The highest point on the island is 51 metres above sea level.
Hamilton Island Race Week is a keelboat regatta set against the backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands, on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. It is one of Australia’s favourite yachting events and a firm fixture on the international sailing calendar. Competitors, family and friends come together to enjoy the convivial atmosphere and unique camaraderie of the event’s on-water and off-water carnival.
Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The island is 294 hectares. It is a private island open to the public, most famous for its luxury resort which was built in the 1950s by Ansett Transport Industries. The island is a significant for tourism in Queensland. The resort is managed by the InterContinental Hotels Group.
Whitehaven Beach is on Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia. The island is accessible by boat, seaplane & helicopter from Airlie Beach, as well as Hamilton Island. It lies across from Stockyard Beach, better known as Chalkie's Beach, on Haslewood Island. The seven kilometres beach is known for its crystal white silica sands and turquoise coloured waters. The beach has tour barbeque and camping facilities.
The Ngaro are an Australian Aboriginal group of people who traditionally inhabited the Whitsunday Islands and coastal regions of Queensland, employing a seafaring lifestyle in an area that archaeologically shows evidence of human habitation since 9000 BP. Ngaro society was destroyed by warfare with traders, colonists, and the Australian Native Police. The Native Police Corps forcibly relocated the remaining Ngaro people in 1870 to a penal colony on Palm Island or to the lumber mills of Brampton Island as forced labourers.
The Proserpine River is a river in Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia.
Chalkie's Beach is located on the western coast of Haslewood Island in the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland, Australia. It lies across from the more popular Whitehaven Beach on the main Whitsunday Island.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ada was a small but intense tropical cyclone that severely impacted the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia, in January 1970. It has been described as a defining event in the history of the Whitsunday Islands, and was the most damaging storm in the mainland town of Proserpine's history at the time. Forming over the far eastern Coral Sea in early January, the weather disturbance that would become Ada remained weak and disorganised for nearly two weeks as it slowly moved in a clockwise loop. Accelerating toward the southwest, the system was named Ada on 15 January. All observations of the fledgling cyclone were made remotely with weather satellite imagery until it passed over an automated weather station on 16 January. The extremely compact cyclone, with a gale radius of just 55 km (35 mi), intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone just before striking the Whitsunday Islands at 14:00 UTC on 17 January. At 18:30 UTC, Ada's eye crossed the coast at Shute Harbour. The cyclone made little inland progress before stalling northwest of Mackay and dissipating on 19 January.
The Gia people, also known as Giya, Kia, Bumbarra, and variants, are an Aboriginal Australian people of the state of Queensland. Little is known of them.
The Wiri are an Aboriginal Australian people of an area on the eastern side of the state of Queensland. They speak a dialect of the Biri language called Wiri.
The Baradha people, also spelt Barada and Thar ar ra burra, and also known as Toolginburra, were an Aboriginal Australian people of Central Queensland not far inland from the east coast.
The Juru people, also known as Yuru, are a group of Aboriginal people of the state of Queensland, Australia.
Whitsundays is an island group locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. It mostly consists of the Whitsunday Group of islands off the Queensland east coast in the Coral Sea, a mix of inhabited and uninhabited islands. In the 2021 census, Whitsundays had a population of 2,281 people.
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