Brampton Islands National Park

Brampton Islands National Park encompasses two idyllic continental islands – Brampton and Carlisle – in the Cumberland group, about 35 km northeast of Mackay on Queensland’s central coast. The park’s total area is just 21 km² (mostly surrounding reef waters and intertidal zone), but the islands themselves are gems of the southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Brampton Island is the larger (approximately 4.6 km²) and once hosted a resort (closed since 2011), while Carlisle Island is slightly smaller and entirely undeveloped. Both islands feature fringing coral reefs, sandy beaches, and interiors of dry rainforest and eucalypt woodland rising to over 200 m at Brampton’s central peak.

Getting to Brampton or Carlisle requires a private boat or charter from Mackay or the seaport of Seaforth. There is no public ferry service since the resort closure. Most visitors anchor off sheltered bays like Brampton’s Western Bay. Bush camping is permitted on Carlisle Island’s western beach (Dinghy Bay) by permit:contentReference[oaicite:157]{index=157}. This is a remote beach campground with no facilities except a composting toilet – campers must bring all water and supplies. Waking up to a sunrise over the Whitsunday passage, with only rustling palms and the chatter of Wedge-tailed shearwaters from a nearby rookery, is a highlight for those seeking solitude. On Brampton Island, official camping is not allowed (the resort lease area is private property), but day visitors can enjoy the national park sections. A network of walking tracks exists from the resort area: the most popular is the hike to Brampton Peak Lookout (~7 km return) which offers a panoramic vista over the Coral Sea and islands:contentReference[oaicite:158]{index=158}. Another trail leads to a secluded beach at Dinghy Bay (Brampton) and to Western Head where sea eagles can often be seen soaring.

Wildlife is abundant. Sea turtles feed on the reefs; colonies of metallic starlings nest in the island forests; and large monitor lizards (goannas) are commonly encountered near the camping area, scavenging for scraps. Care is needed to store food securely from goannas and bush rats. The surrounding waters are part of a marine park green zone in places, but nearshore fishing is allowed in designated areas and yields coral trout, sweetlip, and barramundi (seasonal). The marine life makes for enjoyable snorkeling around Brampton’s reef flats at mid-tide – expect colorful corals, giant clams, and reef fish like parrotfish and stingrays. From July to September, migrating humpback whales can sometimes be spotted off the islands.

With no regular tourist infrastructure now, Brampton Islands NP sees few visitors, giving it a castaway feel. Those who venture out experience the islands much as nature intended: quiet beaches with crabs scuttling, headlands with views of the Whitsundays to the north, and nights filled with stars and the sound of reef herons and shearwaters calling. It’s a haven for self-reliant adventurers looking to unplug and immerse themselves in a tropical island ecosystem.