vegetation

Nestled close to the coast northwest of Mackay is a group of hilly continental islands. Newry, Rabbit, Outer Newry, Acacia, Mausoleum, and Rocky Islands are protected as part of Newry Islands National Park. The islands are wild and windswept with rocky, exposed headlands and sandstone cliffs. Rabbit, the largest island, has sandy beaches. A Grassy open forest with gnarled ironbarks, bloodwoods, and blue gums covers most of Newry Island. Small patches of dry rainforest grow in sheltered pockets on the southern slopes. Hoop pines tower over the canopy of Mackay tulip oaks and mountain ash. Orange-footed scrubfowl build nesting mounds in the rainforest. This is the most southerly limit of the pied imperial pigeon, a migratory bird that feeds on rainforest fruits. The islands and surrounding waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and are protected. Seagrass beds around the islands provide a habitat for the threatened dugong. In summer, green turtles nest on Rabbit Island. Source: austhrutime.com/newry_islands_national_park.htm

Newry Island lies 200 m off the south-eastern tip of Rabbit Island. It is a smaller island, just under 1 km long, with a maximum elevation of 75 m. The island is protected from the Trades by Outer Newry Island and conditions are usually calm around the island, apart from strong tidal currents. The island has three small beaches. The northern beach (1084) is 250 m long and is bounded by densely vegetated, 40 m high headlands. It faces northeast and consists of a 50 m wide high tide beach fronted by 100 m wide sand and rock flats. Beach 1085 is a 50 m pocket of sand immediately east of the northern beach and is similar in character. Source: beachsafe.org.au/beach/qld/mackay/seaforth/newry-island-2

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

A 160-acre (65 ha) property near Beerwah Mountain was purchased by Robert Fullerton in 1913. In a government ballot opening more land for selection Fullerton acquired Portion 14V 4 kilometers from Glass House Mountains on the eastern side of the Old Gympie Road. The family arrived at Glass House Mountains on 3 June 1914. The older boys and their father followed a few hours later on goods train with their stock which comprised of an old horse ‘Dick’, two cows and a calf, a cat, and her kittens. Delighted at the beauty of the region Mrs. Fullerton named their selection ‘Dunnottar’ as the mountain reminded her of the country they had left behind. Hardworking Robert Fullerton cleared 2 acres of standing timber but when ready to plough poor old Dick the horse died. He set to work and dug the soil by hand with shovels and spades. Shortly after this, he planted his first pineapple crop. This crop was to sweep a new era of prosperity into the district. The industrious Fullerton family planted citrus and small crops including strawberries and Rosellas. Since those early days, the Fullerton families have produced and established large-scale pineapple and citrus farms throughout the Glass House Mountains district. They have helped shape policies on quota deliveries of pineapples and are a powerful force in the overall enterprise including connectivity to the Golden Circle cannery. Source: heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Agriculture/Bil...