Nestled close to the coast
north-west of Mackay is a group of hilly continental islands. Newry, Rabbit,
Outer Newry, Acacia, Mausoleum and Rocky Islands are protected as part of
Newry Islands National Park. The islands are wild and windswept with rocky,
exposed headlands and sandstone cliffs. Rabbit, the largest island, has sandy
beaches.
Grassy open forest with
gnarled ironbarks, bloodwoods and blue gums covers most of Newry Island. Small
patches of dry rainforest grow in sheltered pockets on the southern slopes.
Hoop pines tower over the canopy of Mackay tulip oaks and mountain ash. Orange-footed
scrubfowl build nesting mounds in the rainforest. This is the most southerly
limit of the pied imperial-pigeon, a migratory bird which feeds on rainforest
fruits.
The islands and surrounding
waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and are protected.
Seagrass beds around the islands provide a habitat for the threatened dugong.
In summer, green turtles nest on Rabbit Island.
Location
The islands are 5km north-west
of Seaforth, 46km by road north-west of Mackay.
Further
Information
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service PO Box 15187 City East Q 4002