Keswick Island

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Basil Bay

Keswick Island [1] is a picturesque island in the southern half of the Whitsunday Islands. Located 34 kilometres north-east of the Queensland city of Mackay, Keswick Island is part of the Cumberland Group of islands that lay protected inside the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The island is inhabited by a small number of residents. It is a semi-popular tourist destination set to expand with planned development. Visitors can stay in a small number of catered and self catered accommodations and enjoy the islands beauty and tranquility in relative seclusion. The island has its own airstrip and is accessible from Mackay Airport by a short plane flight or by private boat.

1 Origin of the name
2 Environs
3 Development
4 Activities
5 Transportation
6 Accommodations
7 Sale
8 Image gallery
9 External links

[edit] Origin of the name

Identified as part of the Cumberland Isles Group by Capt. James Cook in 1770. Keswick Island and neighbouring St Bees Island were first designated together as ‘L1 Island’ by Lieutenant Matthew Flinders, RN, in HMS Investigator in 1802.

Keswick Island was later individually named in 1879 after the town of Keswick in England's Cumbria Lake District by Staff Commander E. P. Bedwell, RN, in SS Llewellyn.

[edit] Environs

Keswick Island [2] is approximately 530 hectares (1300 acres) in area, with the majority being National Park. It is part of the pristine Cumberland Group of islands that consists of St Bees Island, Keswick Island, Aspatria Island, Scawfell Island, Calder Island, Wigton Island and Cockermouth Island. The island is near to the South Cumberland Islands National Park. Neighbouring islands in the Cumberland Group are accessible by private boat. The nearest developed neighbouring island is Brampton Island some 7 km to the north.

Keswick Island is separated from its nearest neighbour St Bees Island by only a few hundred meters by the picturesque Egremont Passage. The Eucalypt Woodlands of St Bees Island are occupied by a healthy Koala colony currently being researched by Queensland Universities for their unique equilibrium with their environment.

The island is located 360 km north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Temperatures vary from 17°C to 24°C in winter (water temperature is a steady 20°C), and 24°C to 30°C in summer (water temperature is a steady 26°C).

[edit] Development

The overall land development lease area, which is situated in the picturesque north-eastern and eastern area of the Island, totals around 117 hectares and occupies over 4 1/2 kilometers of ocean front land. The original MasterPlan [3] holds proposals for the development of Marinas, Resort Complexes and Residential Housing capable of supporting a tourist and residential community. The island already has some existing infrastructure such as an Airstrip, Sealed Roads, Communications Services, and various utilities. Ownership of the development company changed hands in 2002, and again in March 2008.

Located in a World Heritage Area and being within the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park requires that building and construction is governed by environmental guidelines, detailed architectural and design codes to facilitate an eco-friendly development.

Development in the Whitsunday Islands is limited. Keswick Islands still remains relatively undeveloped. The island is inhabited by a small number of private residents and visitors. With more than 100 privately owned land lots already sold on leasehold, numbers of residents and tourism should be expected to grow significantly with planned development. More than a dozen private houses have already been built with a number of homes being constructed.

[edit] Activities

Visitors can enjoy the islands pristine natural beauty with activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, beachcombing and bushwalking. Narrow walking tracks in the National Park wind through pockets of Tropical Rainforest to its pristine beaches. Day trips are available to visit some of the pristine neighbouring islands (although no day trippers are currently allowed at Brampton Island’s Resort).

The island is fringed by colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life which provides excellent conditions for diving or snorkeling at mid-low tide. Three wrecks sites, including the protected historic wreck sites of “The Singapore” (a two master sail and steam vessel) and “The Llewellyn” (a former coastal steamer) are accessible from the island within a few minutes by boat.

Whales can be frequently seen around the island during their annual migration through the Whitsundays between July-September.

[edit] Transportation

The closest transport hub is the city of Mackay. The island has its own sealed airstrip and is accessible from Mackay Airport via a short 10 min plane flight or is accessible from Mackay Harbour by chartered or private boat. Approval to access to the island may need to be prior arranged. Private moorings are also available.

Transport around the island is restricted to electric powered vehicles such as golf buggies.

[edit] Accommodations

Accommodation for visitors is provided by the Bed and Breakfast called Keswick Island Guesthouse [4] and the self-catering Keswick Island Casa Linda [5].

[edit] Sale

While most of the island is designated as National Park, the islands head-lease (117 hectares) was recently sold to a Sydney property consortium. Planned developments are said to include villas, condominiums, cafes and shops. Work on a deep-water jetty and improved barge ramps is expected to commence immediately to improve access to the island. The new owners plan to develop the islands residential and eco-tourism potential in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. [6] [7]