Goold Island National Park

Goold Island is a national park in Queensland (Australia), 1250 km northwest of Brisbane. The island is close to the northern tip of Hinchinbrook Island off the coast from Cardwell in Rockingham Bay and is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Covering 8.30 km² the island is located 17 km from shore covered mostly in open eucalypt forest with rainforested gullies and semi permanent creek water.

Camping

Campers are required to bring their own water and all camping facilities. Camping is by permit only and is limited numbers so it is best to book in advance. Access to the islands is by ferry, private boat or charter or sea kayak. Marine stingers are present during the warmer months.

Brook Islands

The nearby Brook Islands are smaller and made up of North, Tween, Middle and South islands, the first three of which comprise the Brook Islands National Park. These islands are used mainly by nesting birds. It is important not to disturb the birds during breeding seasons. Birds found here include the Pied Imperial-pigeon (estimated at over 40,000), Bridled Terns, Black-naped Terns, Roseate Terns and Little Terns. The Beach Stone-curlews also makes North Brook Island its home.

History

For many years the Bandjin Aboriginal people occupied the island before Europeans arrived in the area. [cite web |url=http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/goold_island_national_park/goold_island_national_park__nature_culture_and_history/ |title=Goold Island National Park: Nature, Culture and History |accessdate=2008-07-01 |format= |work= ] Fish traps and shell middens are the only remains of the original inhabitants of the island who were wiped out by introduced diseases in the 1800s.

ee also

*Oyster Point
*Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)

References