greatbarrierreef

Great Palm Island, usually known as Palm Island, is the largest island in the Palm Islands group off Northern Queensland, Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal community, the legacy of an Aboriginal reserve, the Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement (also known as "the Mission"). The original inhabitants of the island (and others in the group) were the Manbarra people, also known as the Wulgurukaba, who were removed to the mainland by the Queensland Government in the 1890s. The island is also sometimes referred to as Bwgcolman, which is the name given to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from disparate groups who were deported from many areas of Queensland to the reserve in 1918, and their descendants. The island has an area of 55 km2 (21 sq mi). The official area figure of 70.9 square kilometres (27.4 sq mi) refers to the Aboriginal Shire of Palm Island, which includes nine smaller islands. It is off the east coast of Northern Queensland, situated 65 kilometres (40 mi) northwest of Townsville, and 800 kilometres (500 mi) north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It consists of small bays, sandy beaches and steep forested mountains rising to a peak of 548 metres (1,798 ft). The ocean surrounding the island is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, where extraction and fishing are regulated. Great Palm Island's rich volcanic soil supports tropical flora such as mangroves, eucalypt forest, rainforests, hoop pine, mango, banana, pawpaw (papaya) and wild plum trees.[5][29] The surrounding bays have diverse marine fauna, including coral trout, crayfish and coral reefs.[5] However the island has been affected by human settlement and introduced species. There are hundreds of brumbies (feral horses) on the island, considered to be owned by the community. In 2003 there were reports of horses having been tortured and beaten by local teenagers. The problem of the feral animals had been brought to the attention of the Palm Island authorities as well as the Queensland Government, but to no avail. An RSPCA representative said that they needed to involve the children in helping to solve the problem.[71] Since then, the Shire Council and the RSPCA have acted to care for the horses and educate residents,[72] and children are now engaged in helping to round up troublesome animals.[73] Feral dogs are also a problem on the island.[73] Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Palm_Island#Environment

Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia.[1][2] 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 drawing point for tourism in Queensland. The island is small at just an area of 294 hectares (726 acres). In 1947, Ansett Transport Industries acquired the island.[7] Work began on the Royal Hayman Hotel, which was opened in 1950 by Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Fadden in anticipation of a royal visit to Australia, for which Hayman was granted a Royal Charter. Arrival on Hayman was by Catalina and Sandringham flying boat. In July 1985, a two-year, $300 million project commenced transforming the island into a luxury resort.[8] The works were carried out by Thiess Contractors[9] and in 1987 Hayman was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World. In May 1998, Hayman Island was sold to the BT Hotel Group.[7] The resort undertook another significant renovation in 2001 and received many of its modern five-star luxury amenities. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayman_Island

Green Island (originally Dabuukji) is a marine island and locality in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Green Island had a population of 25 people. Green Island is a coral cay 27 km (17 mi) offshore from Cairns, Queensland, Australia located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park World Heritage Area in the Coral Sea. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and protected in the Green Island National Park. Most visitors come for the day. A luxury resort with 46 rooms is situated on the island.[citation needed] The island supports a range of vegetation, including dry coastal/beach plants and a vine thicket rain forest. There are no natural freshwater springs on the island so all vegetation relies on rainwater and a small freshwater lens located under the island. The island was formed approximately 6,000 years ago by waves depositing sand, coral, and other debris onto its coral foundations.[4] Local Aboriginal language speakers (Roy Banning, Robert Patterson, and Henry Fourmile) advised and confirmed the Gungganyji language group is especially connected with the island. To them, it is named Dabuukji.[5] Dabuukji, as a name, may refer to the island having been within local Aboriginal mythology and history a larger island with a freshwater marsh or 'hole' (later a well) at its center. Alternatively, it may be a reference to the story of the turtle which first obtained holes in its nose (nostrils) on this coral cay. It may also be a reference to some aspect of young Gungganyji male initiation rituals reported to have been conducted on this coral cay in times past.[5] The local Aboriginal people (particularly Dick Moses, speaking Yidinyji) say that in the Dreamtime Dabuukji (Green Island) was approximately four times the size it is now, and that the present coral cay is only the north-east portion of the whole, original island.[6] Local Aboriginal people have grown up with the understanding the coral cay was a place to be generally avoided, being Punjabi, that is, "a place haunted by spirits". The Queensland Government has gazetted Green Island as the cay's official name, this being the name given it by Lieutenant James Cook on 10 June 1770, either because of the appearance of the coral cay's vegetation, or possibly after Charles Green, who was an astronomer aboard the Endeavour at the time. In April 1873, the Goodwill's vessel arrived at Green Island with 3 European crew and 5 Manbarra people press-ganged from Palm Island to collect and process beche de mer. The Aboriginals, including 3 men and 2 women, resented their treatment and killed two of the whites and stole the "Goodwill". The third, Daniel Kelly, escaped to nearby Oyster Quay Island to report the killings to another beche-de-mer fisherman named Philip Garland.[9] The incident was reported to authorities in Cardwell and the Queensland Police Commissioner Seymour ordered Native Police officer Robert Arthur Johnstone to organize a punitive mission. Since the early 20th century, tourism has been the main activity on the island. A guest house was originally built in the 1930s and an underwater observatory was installed in 1954. In 1970 Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne toured Australia including Queensland. The Queensland tour began on Sunday 12 April when the royal yacht Britannia entered Moreton Bay at Caloundra, sailing into Newstead Wharf. After visiting Brisbane, Longreach, and Mount Isa the Royal Family traveled to Mackay. The royal party had a leisurely cruise to Townsville. According to the formal schedule, the Royal Yacht Britannia arrived off Green Island on the morning of 21 April, after leaving Townsville the day before. The scheduled visit to Green Island was dependent on the weather. All three members of the Royal family were taken by Royal Barge to the Green Island jetty. The visit only lasted 30mins, before Britannia left for Cooktown by 10:15 am the same day.[13] The current resort, Green Island Reef Resort, was opened in 1994.[7] A seawater desalination plant was commissioned to supply water to the resort in 2001. The plant supplies 55 kL/d of potable water and returns waste brine to the sea.[14] In the 2016 census, Green Island had a population of 25 people. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Island_(Queensland)

Small Island with executive natural beauty and big history.