Family Islands Attractions

The Family Islands group includes the main island, Dunk (National Park), and the smaller islands (also reserves) of Wheeler, Combe, Smith, Bowden and Hudson (combined area 1.2sq.km), on which camping is allowed (permit required). Timana (Thorpe) Island, between Dunk and Bedarra, is another small island, privately owned.

The islands are covered with dense tropical forest.

Read More Bedarra Island

Bedarra Island, one of the Family Islands, has an area of only 1 sq.km, rises to a height of 107m and is partly covered with rain forest. The island is privately owned. It is of great scenic beauty with its rocky hills, mangroves, sandy beaches and springs and is home to a great variety of plants and animals. The climate is tropical, with heavy rainfall between December and April.

Address: Townsville Enterprise, Enterprise House
6 The Strand, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia

Tips: Access to Bedarra Island is from the larger Dunk Island, which in turn can be reached either by air or by ship.

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Read More Dunk Island National Park

10 sq.km, of which 7.3 sq.km are a national park.

Dunk Island, 5km offshore and 30km northeast of Cardwell, is the largest of the Family Islands. The island was named by Cook after the First Lord of the Admiralty. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing.

The highest point on the island, most of which is covered by tropical rain forest, reaches a height of 271m. There are large resort complexes run by Australian Airlines, with a wide range of leisure activities, which can accommodate 400 visitors. There are beautiful walking trails all over the island; panoramic views from Mount Kootaloo.

Address: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Rainforest and Reef Centre, Box 74, Cardwell, QLD 4849, Australia

Tips: Best time to visit: May to November; there is heavy rainfall during the rest of the year. Access by ferry from Clump Point and Mission Beach; also flights from Cairns and Townsville. Camping is permitted in the national park for a maximum of three days (permit must be obtained in Cardwell).

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