Capricornia Cays National Park, Marine reserve in Gladstone Region, Australia
Capricornia Cays National Park is a marine reserve comprising eight coral islands spread across 241 hectares with white sand beaches and coral reefs in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The islands vary in size and are surrounded by shallow, clear waters that support diverse marine habitats.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science established this protected marine area in 2005 to preserve the natural habitat of the coral cays. This designation was part of broader efforts to safeguard the southern reef region from harm.
The park functions as a scientific research center where experts study marine ecosystems, shark behavior, and turtle nesting patterns throughout the year.
Visitors reach the islands by boat departing from Gladstone, with permits required for overnight stays on North West and Lady Musgrave islands. The best season to visit is between October and April, when weather conditions are more stable and water-based activities are more favorable.
The park hosts over 500,000 pairs of wedge-tailed shearwaters, making it one of the largest seabird breeding grounds in the South Pacific. During nesting season, the islands fill with noise and activity as hundreds of thousands of these birds simultaneously raise their young.
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