Thanks to Queensland Parks and Wildlife, the Whitsunday Islands are continuously maintained and nurtured to ensure that visitors can have the best experience possible whilst out amongst the islands.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife also have many ongoing projects and developments, all designed to heighten the enjoyment of visitors.
Here is an update as to what they have been working on and what you can experience on your next visit out on the water.
From QPWS Newsletter December 2020
Take your time at Tongue Point
New interpretive signage and a sheltered terraced seating area are just some of the improvements to enhance your visit to Tongue Point and Hill Inlet.
Take your time and learn a little more about the area’s natural and cultural heritage before embarking on the lookout track.
The track intersection also boasts seating and bag posts. Each is easily identified by a colour band to assist in keeping groups together. The posts are the perfect spot to hang bags and gear, keeping pest ants out and preventing damage to surrounding vegetation.
Check out Chalkies
Opening in early 2020, the new Chalkies Beach lookout on Haslewood Island is proving popular. If you haven’t already, be sure to take the 300m walk and enjoy the spectacular views across the fringing reef to Whitehaven Beach.
Best suited to those with some bush walking experience, the track ascends from Chalkies Beach through eucalypt woodland and grasstrees before reaching the rocky headland.
New Ngaro Track is taking shape
Crews have been busy throughout 2020 constructing the new multi-day walking track from Whitehaven Beach to Tongue Point, Whitsunday Island. The track completion including new campgrounds, bridges and boardwalks is due in mid-2021.
Construction teams will continue to be located at Tongue Point and Torres Herald Bay, while campers have been welcomed back to Chance Bay.
Remember, please observe all signs, barriers and directions provided by rangers and construction workers. No unauthorised persons, including commercial tour operators and other permit or agreement holders, are permitted to enter closed areas.
Birds flock to the Whitsundays
Whitsunday bird populations swell from October to April each year as thousands of waders and seabirds migrate to the Whitsundays, roosting alongside our resident species. The islands provide protection for nesting seabirds and an important stopover for migratory species such as ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, lesser sand plovers and bar-tailed godwits, which feed and roost on the reef flat and island beaches.
In order to protect the nesting sea and shorebirds, boaties are reminded to observe restrictions between 1 October and 31 March (inclusive).
Restrictions apply to:
Armit Island (south beach), Double Cone Island (west island), Grassy Island (south beach), Little Armi Island, Olden Rock (south of Olden Island), Shaw Island (beach est of Burning Point), South Repulse Island (west beach, excluding campsite) and Steens Beach Whitsunday Island.
- You must keep to a six-knot speed approximately within 200m of the low water mark.
- No aircraft are allowed below 1500 feet (above ground or water) or to approach within 1000m.
- Stay out of intertidal beaches that are closed temporarily to protect endangered wildlife.
