Lady Musgrave Island

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Lady Musgrave Island is a 14 ha coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef, with a 1192 ha surrounding reef. The island is the second island in the Great Barrier Reef chain of islands, and is most easily reached from the town of 1770, Queensland, located on approximately 5 hours north of Brisbane. Lady Musgrave Island, and the immediate surrounds, is a national park and can be reached by excursion boat from Bundaberg or the Town of 1770.

[edit] Environmental aspects

The island has no fresh water supply, so visitors need to bring all fresh drinking water. A composting toilet is available on the island.

Pisonia trees are the primary vegetation, with She-Oaks and Pandanus trees forming most of the remaining percentage.

Camping is allowed for up to 40 (formerly 50) people at a time, with some restrictions (eg: no open fires), and must be booked. Camping can be booked up to 11 months in advance and is recommended that you do so, especially during school holidays. As of July 2006, more information can be found at https://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks/iaparks/gds/IAGDS020.do?parkId=47 ... booking can be made here. Campers can bring their own dive compressors (can only be run from 9 am to 6 pm). Generators are NOT allowed.

The daily (subject to weather) tourist boats from 1770 and Bundaberg, can resupply campers with prearranged supplies (as of July 2006, the only regularly scheduled tourist boat is from 1770).

As the island is well outside the light cone of coastal cities, the stargazing is spectacular, with nightly meteor showers not uncommon.

The extreme edges of the coral lagoon should generally be avoided during tidal inflow and outflow, as the pull can be quite strong. There is an old legend involving a legless man and a widow who died there. It is rumored to be haunted by their ghosts.

[edit] Wildlife

There are an enormous number of birds on the island. White-capped Noddy Terns and Sooty Terns, dominate during the day, and 'Mutton birds', otherwise known as Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, wail mournfully at night. There are also Buff-banded Rails, Eastern Reef Egrets and silvereyes on the island year-round.

The island is a nesting place for Green turtles, and there is usually a turtle-research representative camping on the island during nesting and hatching times.

Small Whitetip reef sharks and Leopard sharks can often be found hunting in the shallows around the island. These species are not dangerous to humans, and are fascinating to watch.

Green and leatherback turtles can be spotted resting on coral bommies, and the coral lagoon is a haven for a multitude of fish and coral species, and a spectacular destination for anyone interested in snorkeling.

Scuba diving is excellent - don't miss the Mantas at Manta bommies.