Gloucester Island National Park

Gloucester Island National Park
Gloucester Island
Gloucester Island National Park
LocationQueensland
Nearest cityBowen
Coordinates20°00′55″S 148°27′18″E / 20.01528°S 148.45500°E / -20.01528; 148.45500
Area29.60 km2 (11.43 sq mi)
Established1994
Governing bodyQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Gloucester Island National Park is a protected area in Queensland, Australia, 950 km northwest of Brisbane.[1][2][3] The national park includes Gloucester Island and all or parts of some neighbouring islands.[4] It is visible from the town of Bowen.

Geography

The average altitude of the terrain is 34 metres.[5]

History

The island was seen and erroneously named "Cape Gloucester" by British explorer James Cook in 1770.[6] Subsequently the Admirality's hydrographer transferred the name to the cape on the mainland immediately south of the island, which is still known as Cape Gloucester.[7][8]

Attractions

Birdwatching is popular from October to April, when thousands of migrating birds can be seen, especially waders.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Gloucester Island National Park – national park in the Whitsunday Region (entry 52352)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  2. ^ "About Gloucester Islands". Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. The State of Queensland. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Distance from Gloucester Island to Brisbane" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Gloucester Island National Park topographic map, elevation, relief". topographic-map.com. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Whitsundays national park islands: Nature, culture and history". Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. The State of Queensland. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Gloucester Island – island in the Whitsunday Region (entry 14070)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Cape Gloucester – cape in the Whitsunday Region (entry 14072)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Things to do | Whitsunday national park islands". Parks and forests | Department of Environment and Science, Queensland. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2022.