Fitzroy Island (Queensland)

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For the National Park, see Fitzroy Island National Park.
Fitzroy
Native name:
Koba or Gabar
Welcomebay.jpg
Welcome Bay, Fitzroy Island
Geography
LocationCoral Sea
Coordinates16°56′S 146°00′E / 16.933°S 146.000°E / -16.933; 146.000
Area3.39 km2 (1.31 sq mi)
Highest elevation375 m (1230 ft)
Administration
Australia
StateQueensland
LGACairns Region

Fitzroy Island
Queensland
Fitzroy Island is located in Queensland
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island
Coordinates16°55′49″S 145°59′32″E / 16.9302°S 145.9922°E / -16.9302; 145.9922 (Fitzroy Island (centre of locality))Coordinates: 16°55′49″S 145°59′32″E / 16.9302°S 145.9922°E / -16.9302; 145.9922 (Fitzroy Island (centre of locality))
Population44 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density3.79/km2 (9.82/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4871
Area11.6 km2 (4.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Cairns Region
State electorate(s)Mulgrave
Federal division(s)Kennedy

Fitzroy Island (originally Koba or Gabar) is a continental island offshore from Cape Grafton, 29 km (18 miles) south-east of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is a locality in the Cairns Region.[2][3] In the 2016 census Fitzroy Island had a population of 44 people.[1]

Geography[]

Fitzroy Island is a large tropical island, with a rainforest covering and its own fringe coral reef system. The island has a total area of 339 hectares (838 acres). The highest point of the island is 269 metres (883') above sea level.

Fitzroy Island is a 45-minute ferry ride (about 30 km; 20 miles) from Cairns and is surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Nearly all of the continental island is protected within the Fitzroy Island National Park. It is covered in tropical rainforest. Four walking tracks have been established.[4]

Climate[]

Sunset over Welcome Bay, Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy enjoys a typical North Queensland tropical climate but with the added advantage of the cooling effects of the prevailing southeasterly ocean breezes for the majority of the year. Temperatures range from 24 - 31 C (75 - 88 F) in summer and 19 - 25 C (66 - 77 F) in winter.

History[]

The island separated from the mainland about 8000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. There were Aboriginal visits, mainly for visiting hunting trips and recreation. The Yidiny people named the island "Gabaɽ", meaning "lower arm", because of how it was partially submerged.[5]

Lieutenant James Cook named the island in 1770 after Augustus Henry Fitzroy.[3][4] The island was used for a considerable time as a significant Chinese quarantine station for the Queensland goldfields.[4] Subsequently, it was used as a mission school and, during World War II, as a coast watch station.[6]

The island has also been a significant lighthouse base, with the last permanent lighthouse structures on the main island still being an important community attraction. Since the lighthouse closed, the marine community has been served by an automatic lighthouse, based on the adjacent Little Fitzroy Island. There has been both a giant clam farm at Welcome Bay, and there is now a tourist resort and day visitor centre.

In the 2016 census, Fitzroy Island had a population of 44 people.[1]

Attractions[]

The island is home to a 100-room resort. Property developer Doug Gamble bought and renovated the resort in 2010.[7] The resort manages the camping area.[4]

See also[]

  • List of islands of Australia

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Fitzroy Island (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Fitzroy Island – locality in Cairns Region (entry 48635)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Fitzroy Island (Goon-Gan-Jee Island) – Island in Cairns Region (entry 12563)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "About Fitzroy Island". Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. ^ Dixon, R. M. W. (1977). A Grammar of Yidiny. Cambridge University Press. p. 14-15. ISBN 9780521214629.
  6. ^ "Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 28 Radar Station, Fitzroy Island". Queensland World War II Historic Places. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Queensland: From nudist favourite to family friendly". The Wimmera Mail-Times. Fairfax Media. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2015.

External links[]

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