Stunning beaches, perfectly formed coral cays, prolific birdlife and pristine coral reefs home to abundant corals and marinelife. These are just some of the reasons to visit Capricornia Cays National Park located between 60 and 100km offshore from Gladstone. Straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, there are 16 coral cays (8 of them vegetated) and 22 separate reefs within the CCNP....

Lady Elliot Island is a gorgeous coral cay surrounded by fringing reef, 75km north east of Bundaberg. Stepping straight off the beach, snorkellers and divers drop into a brilliant underwater wonderland that’s an easy introduction for children and nervous swimmers. Overnight visitors bed down at the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, a comfortable 3 star eco resort focused on sustainable...

The vast lagoon of Lady Musgrave distinguishes it from other coral cays in the Capricornia Cays National Park. The big difference is that boats are able to anchor within the reef-encased lagoon. For cruising boaties Lady Musgrave offers the sort of idyllic lagoon anchorage often dreamt about (when the conditions are right of course!) 60km offshore, it’s a long trip...

Masthead Island is the second largest of the nine vegetated coral cays in the Capricorn Group of islands at just 45ha in total. Sitting well offshore, 60km north east of Gladstone this coral cay has Irving and Polmaise Reefs and Erskine Island as its closest neighbours. A popular nesting ground for loggerhead and green turtles, it has international significance for...

North West Island at 100ha is the largest of nine islands that make up the Capricorn Bunker Group of Islands 75km north east of Gladstone. A classic coral cay barely rising above the sea, it’s home to the largest pisonia forest in Australia. Don’t get too excited though, as all things are relative. Subjected to consistent south easterly trade winds,...

North of Port Douglas, Cooktown is a small charismatic town on the banks of the Endeavour River. For 4WD adventurers driving to Cape York, it is the last real civilisation before Seisia/Bamaga at the Cape. Cooktown has a unique character, indeed it is home to many self-styled characters, based on years of geographic isolation making for a tough existence. Visitors...