Capricorn and Bunker Group

The islands and reefs of the Capricorn and Bunker Group are situated astride the Tropic of Capricorn at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 80 kilometres east of Gladstone, which is situated on the central coast of the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia. Many of these islands form part of the Capricornia Cays National Park and are part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Capricorn and Bunker group of islands of the southern Great Barrier Reef lies between 45 and 75 km (28 and 47 mi) from the adjacent departure ports and urban centres of Yeppoon, Gladstone, Town of 1770 and Bundaberg. The Capricorn and Bunker groups (including Lady Elliot Island and Reef) are a distinct group of 22 reefs straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. There are 16 permanent coral cays on these reefs, including twin cays on Hoskyn and Fairfax Reefs. North West Island (105 hectares, 260 acres) is the largest coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The islands have high natural values, notably breeding populations of seabirds, marine turtles and coral cay vegetation.

North Reef Island Tryon Island North West Island Wilson Island Wreck Island Masthead Island Erskine Island Heron Island One Tree Island Additional to these are several reef structures separate from the individual island but still part of the Capricorn Group of islands including

Sykes Reef 23°25′59″S 152°01′57″E Wistari Reef 23°28′19″S 151°52′55″E Polmaise Reef 23°33′12″S 151°40′58″E Fitzroy Lagoon Reef 23°36′49″S 152°09′34″E Llewellyn Reef 23°41′32″S 152°11′01″E Lamont Reef 23°36′00″S 152°02′56″E Broomfield Reef 23°16′02″S 151°26′29.8″E (possibly with a sandbank or an unvegetated cay) A tourist Resort and Marine Scientific Research Station have been established on Heron Island. A manned lighthouse operates at North Island and the University of Sydney operates a field research station on One Tree Island.

Lady Musgrave Island Fairfax Islands, (East Fairfax & West Fairfax) Hoskyn Islands (East and West Hoskyn islands) In association with

During Captain James Cook's first voyage of discovery he sailed well inside the island group between 21 and 25 May 1770, typically two to five miles (3.2 to 8.0 km) offshore. He then made his second landing in Australia at the town of 1770.

Wednesday 23rd Continued our Course a long shore at the distance of about 2 Miles off having from 12 to 9, 8 and 7 fathom water until 5 oClock at which time we were abreast of the South point of a large open bay where in I intended to anchor. accordingly we hauld in close upon a wind and sent a boat a head to sound. after making some trips we anchor'd at 8 oClock in 5 fathom water a Sandy bottom the South point of the Bay bore E3/4 South distance 2 Miles and the north point NW1/4 N and about 2 Miles from the ^shore in the bottom of the bay...........

In the AM I went a shore with a party of men in order to examine the Country accompanied by Mr Banks and the other gentlemen. we landed alittle within the South point of the Bay where there is a channel leading into a large Lagoon

During Matthew Flinders' exploration of the Australian coastline in Investigator, a 334-ton sloop, to make a survey along the southern coast of the Australian mainland he passed inshore of the island group.

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