FRANKLAND
ISLANDSSS

The
Frankland Islands
are completely uninhabited. They are a short distance so
uth
of Cairns, in North Queensland, and are their own small National
Park within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zone. Like the
Whitsundays, the Franklands are mainland islands, and owe their
island nature to a rise in sea level about 8000 years ago, cutting
them off from what is now the coast. Since then they have developed
their own off-shore coral reefs, and are home to many birds, crabs
and other island-loving wildlife.
Although
anyone can visit the island, there is only one commercial operator
with permission to do so. As most visitors will arrive this way,
the description below is based on that tour.
You
first drive south from Cairns for about 30 minutes, through typical
North Queensland c
ountryside,
to the Mulgrave River. Here you transfer to the boat, high up in
the freshwater reaches of this tropical river. As the boat makes
its way towards the sea you first pass through ca
nefields,
then rainforest, and eventually the important mangrove ecosystem.
Eventually you reach the sea, where a short 20-minute ride lands
you at the islands. These islands, once part of the mainland, are
now isolated, and surrounded by coral reefs. On shore there is a
small forest, where pigeons, doves and other rainforest birds roost
and feed. The surrounding waters are alive with coral, reef fishes,
giant clams and all the lif
e
forms of this rich underwater habitat. Unlike many parts of the
reef, the coral starts just offshore, and can be seen by both wading,
and evening walking along the exposed reef at low tide. On the other
hand, world-class snorkeling and diving is just a few minutes further
out, by small boat or swimming. Lunch is served under the trees,
and it's not until about 3pm that you have to leave this island
paradise. During the day a naturalist will lead you on a guided
walk through the forest, and is available for a guided underwater
snorkel as well. There's also a glass-bottomed boat, and a semi-submersible
submarine for coral viewing.
The
Franklands are an ideal place to visit the coral reefs if you are
new to snorkeling, or would like to brush up on your skills before
tackling the mid and outer Barrier Reef, where you enter the water
either of the boat or off a moored platform, with no beach to wade
in off. On the Franklands you just walk out into the water and bend
over, going further out as your skills and confidence increase.
The
forest walks and beachcombing time (but you can't take anything
except memories and photographs off the island) are just added benefits
to this beautiful day out on a tropical island.