Whitsunday Island

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Whitsunday Island
Geography
Location Coral Sea
Archipelago Whitsunday Islands
Total islands 74
Area 275.08 km2 (106.21 sq mi)
Country
Australia
State Queensland
Local government area Whitsunday Regional Council

Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday group of islands located off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia. Whitehaven Beach was rated as the top Eco Friendly Beach in the world by CNN.com in July 2010.[1] The island should not be confused with Pinaki in the Tuamotu group which was named "Whitsunday Island" by Samuel Wallis in 1767.

Geography

The island is accessible by boat from the mainland tourist ports of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. It contains many popular destinations for both day visitors and overnight sailors, including the magnificent pure-white sands of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, the secure anchorage of Cid Harbour, and the sheltered waterway of Gulnare Inlet. The island has six campgrounds.[2]

Named by Captain James Cook in early June 1770, the island covers 27,508 ha (275.08 km2) in area.[3] Around the northern bays of the island are seagrass beds which support a diverse range of marine life.[4] Unadorned rock-wallabies are found on the island.[4]

Gallery

  • Hill Inlet

  • Whitehaven Beach

  • Hill inlet, north of Whitehaven Beach

  • Panoramic view of Whitehaven Beach

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Qld beach wins world eco-friendly award". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 20 July 2010. Retrieved 28July 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Whitsunday Islands National Park - Camping information". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Economics - Whitsunday Island". Australian Natural Resources Atlas. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 28 July 2010. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Parks of the Whitsundays - Nature, culture and history". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010. 

Coordinates: 20°15′S 148°58′E / 20.250°S 148.967°E / -20.250; 148.967

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